Our advocacy has helped to achieve dramatic enhancements for residents of West Rogers Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
A New Northtown CPL Branch for West Rogers Park
JNDC proposed the idea of neighborhood residents working together to advocate for a new library for West Rogers Park at a meeting organized by Chicago Community Trust in 2015. The existing Northtown branch at 6435 N. California, built in 1962 in the pre-digital era, was small and hopelessly outdated. Participants eagerly embraced the idea for a new library.
JNDC became one of the founders of a diverse alliance that dubbed itself the LEARN coalition. The multi-ethnic group organized a petition campaign that garnered 3,000 signatures and bolstered our local officials in making the case for community need.
West Ridge was chosen as one of Chicago’s first three neighborhoods to get a new library, made possible by a novel partnership between the Chicago Housing Authority and CPL to co-locate affordable housing for seniors with resources for life-long learning.
The new Northtown branch, at 6800 N. Western, opened on March 5, 2019. The showcase library offers an array of digital services, including computer classes, tutors to help build digital literacy, and ‘YOUmedia’ programs for teens, providing access to technology and classes to inspire creativity, as well as early childhood learning spaces, traditional book clubs for seniors, and cultural programs.
JNDC’s advocacy did not stop there.
JNDC advocated for Sunday hours, to extend the benefit of the new library to families whose religious commitments or work schedules preclude Saturday visits.
On December 16, 2019 at a press conference held at the Northtown branch, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her plan to launch Sunday hours at all 77 branches. Northtown branch was designated one of the first nine branches citywide to offer Sunday hours, 1 – 5 p.m., that weekend.
JNDC Spurs Retail Expansion, Supports Local Entrepreneurs and Strengthens Our Community
A decade ago, JNDC achieved a milestone for local Jewish business and our community.
Many storefronts in West Rogers Park were empty, while many Jewish women in the neighborhood were running businesses out of their homes.
We knew it was better for the appearance and image of the neighborhood – and for the morale of residents – for storefronts to be occupied. So we embarked on the task of finding well-run, potentially compatible, in-home shops to help them “go aboveground.”
What today is taken for granted – Jewish merchants in numerous shopping strips in West Rogers Park and Lincolnwood – 10 years ago was barely imaginable.
Since facilitating the transition of the Magenta Shops into storefronts in 2016 – and inspiring many other community merchants to follow their lead – JNDC has amassed an unequaled track record of assistance to local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Helping North Shore Kosher Bakery and others apply for and obtain government grants to upgrade signage and interiors.
- Helping Robert’s Kosher Fish Market re-gain its distinctive sign that serves as a beacon to kosher consumers locally as well as from downtown and suburbs, in addition to business and personal support during a closure due to illness.
- Helping to upgrade legacy businesses, such as Tel Aviv Bakery and Kol Tuv Foods, with modernized business systems.
- Providing vital support to numerous home-based merchants seeking to expand into brick-and-mortar storefronts, encouraging others to give it a go
- Advocating for the Criminal Damage Repair Program – A major JNDC achievement that secured a local tax-backed initiative reimbursing up to 50% (maximum $2,000) for emergency storefront repairs after vandalism or criminal damage, while incentivizing timely police reports and swift return to business operations.
- Advocating for and achieving beautification and promotional initiatives meant to draw customers to the commercial districts like murals on Devon, art and tuk tuk displays, pigeon control, and street improvements.
- Co-sponsoring networking and professional-development events for businesspeople in West Rogers Park and surrounding areas.
- Working to enhance security by leveraging our community partnerships and advocating for government funding to support security upgrades.
“If not for JNDC, we would never have known about this funding opportunity. With their help, North Shore Kosher Bakery secured SBIF support to make essential upgrades inside and out — from new windows and signage to improved efficiency and compliance. We are truly grateful for JNDC’s guidance and partnership.”
— Ayellet Ben Ezra, North Shore Kosher Bakery
Support Your Community! Shop Local!
Park 538: From JNDC Vision to Vibrant Community Resource
Park 538: From JNDC Vision to Vibrant Community Resource
What began as a sleepy green belt at the northwest edge of West Rogers Park is today an urban oasis, brimming with opportunities for nature education, exploration and community building.
In 2017, in response to then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Great Rivers Chicago Plan, JNDC developed a proposal to revitalize that dormant corridor. Known as Park 538, it runs south from Touhy Avenue (7200 North) to Albion (6600 North), between Kedzie Avenue and the North Shore Channel of the Chicago River.
With the support of 50th Ward Ald. Debra Silverstein, our proposal was green-lighted as part of the city’s charge to improve recreational use of Chicago’s rivers and waterways.
The Chicago Park District, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), Audubon Great Lakes, Chicago Bird Alliance, and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum were enlisted into the multi-year undertaking that returned a vast swath of Park 538 to native prairie. Today, Park 538 is a jewel of restoration, with native plants and grasses, birds and pollinators, riparian ecosystems, educational signage, tended trails and ongoing stewardship.
JNDC sponsors free, hands-on nature programs for children and adults, working with the partners in the restoration and others, bringing hundreds, perhaps thousands, of local residents into the park each year for guided bird and nature walks, butterfly clubs, mindful birding, enriched strolling, nature photography, and volunteerism to promote park and river upkeep.
In 2025, we were honored with a formal resolution by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for fostering community use of our waterway and its adjacent parkland.
In addition to upcoming programs, which can be found on our Events page, see our blog for more information!
Bernard Stone Park Replaces Blighted Hub at Devon & McCormick
The abandoned parking lot, carwash, and multiplex, marred by graffiti, at the southeast corner of Devon and McCormick threatened the safety and stability of West Rogers Park, Peterson Park and Lincolnwood for more than 10 years.
The former site of Hollywood Kiddieland that brought thrills of delight to kids in the ‘50s and ‘60s, a half-century later had turned into a symbol of a neighborhood at risk, menaced with drug deals and scarred by vandalism.
In 2015, JNDC (then known as Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park) decided to tackle the problem that long stymied local officials.
The parking lot was owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which was mandated by state statute to impose a ten-fold rent hike. The huge increase forced the movie theatre to shut down and blocked all further business development.
JNDC invited David St. Pierre, MWRD executive director, to a meeting at a local synagogue. More than 100 area residents attended. St. Pierre revealed that though the rent on the land was non-negotiable, according to statute, he could donate the land to the City rather than lease it for private use. We asked for a park — to eliminate the blight along the North Shore Channel and McCormick Trail between Lincoln and Devon.
When St. Pierre agreed to donate the land to the Chicago Park District, cheers erupted in the sanctuary.
Bernard Stone Park was dedicated on Oct. 4, 2017. Then-JNDC President Howard Rieger was asked to speak at the dedication.
Art in Public Places
JNDC’s promotion of public art has added beauty and energy to the neighborhood. Our efforts helped activate the corner of Devon and Kedzie with “Celebrate” by Chicago sculptor Ruth Aizuss, which stood proudly for five years, enhancing the streetscape and reflecting our community’s spirit. And at left, at Bernard Stone Park.
