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JPAC is a Consulting Party to the review process for the Metra 59th/60th Street Station rehabilitation project. We have received several documents related to that process which we are sharing with our membership for review. We are able to pass along comments on this final plan, but our approval of it is not required. The note we received is below, followed by the documents. Please send any comments you wish for us to pass along no later than Thursday, April 23. Comments should be emailed to [email protected]. We will pass them along to the appropriate contacts. Details On behalf of the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Region V, and in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the Metra 59th/60th Street Station Rehabilitation Project, Cook County, Illinois (MOA), executed April 15, 2024, at the link below please find the Draft Interpretive Elements (IE) for the Metra 59th/60th Street Station Depots.  ​72_30_260323DWG_Draft_IEDesign.pdf​ The Draft IE, as required under MOA Stipulation III. A., has...

JPAC is a Consulting Party to the review process for the Metra 59th/60th Street Station rehabilitation project. We have received several documents related to that process which we are sharing with our membership for review. We are able to pass along comments on this final plan, but our approval of it is not required. The note we received is below, followed by the documents. Please send any comments you wish for us to pass along no later than Wednesday, February 4. Comments should be emailed to [email protected]. On behalf of the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Region V, and in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the Metra 59th/60th Street Station Rehabilitation Project, Cook County, Illinois (MOA), attached please find the Final Midway Plaisance Landscape Restoration and Planting Plan (LRPP). The LRPP, as required under MOA Stipulation III.B., has been prepared to be consistent with the Secretary...

In early December, JPAC received the communication below about parking from the Chicago Park District. Changes recently made to the 63rd Street Beach parking lot will now be made to the lots south and east of the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. JPAC has raised several questions about this plan, and will share further updates in meetings and online as we receive them. The Chicago Park District (CPkD) is implementing a new, more efficient parking system at the Museum of Science & Industry – Lots East & South location. The updated system will be camera-based, cashless, and equipped with lift-arm gates at both the entrance and exit to streamline operations and improve overall reliability. Please note that parking rates will not increase as a result of this upgrade. Our goal is to enhance the user experience while maintaining affordability for all parkers. The Chicago Park District will share updates as they become available. Chicago Park District Lakefront Parking Lot System Upgrades 11.20.2025Download...

We anticipate holding JPAC meetings on the schedule below in 2026, taking place on the first Monday night of each month at 7pm at the Jackson Park Field House except as otherwise noted. These dates should be considered tentative until each is formally announced and confirmed, always at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting. Subscribe to our email blasts or check the individual meeting listing page for the latest updates and relevant documents for each meeting. If you have items you would like to see on a meeting agenda, please email [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the meeting. NO MEETING in January 2026 February 2, 2026 (Zoom meeting) March 7, 2026 (Saturday morning at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry) April 6, 2026 May 4, 2026 June 1, 2026 July 13, 2026 (second Monday to avoid holiday weekend) August 3, 2026 September 14, 2026 (second Monday due to holiday) October 5, 2026 November 2, 2026 (officer election) December 7, 2026...

Major projects and work in Jackson Park is typically shaped by the current framework plan in place for the park. A new framework plan, the South Lakefront Framework Plan, was formally adopted by the Chicago Park District in 2018. This shapes how all decisions concerning the park are made. A PDF of the plan is available here on the Park District's website: https://files.chicagoparkdistrict.com/2025-04/South%20Lakefront%20Framework%20Plan.pdf...

JPAC Board elections will take place at our regular November meeting (Monday, November 3). Nominations were solicited during the regular October meeting (Monday, October 6). The existing slate of officers were re-nominated as a group; no other nominations were made. Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the November meeting. Candidates may self-nominate. You do not need to be present to be nominated. Per JPAC bylaws, in order to be eligible to vote, you must have attended at least 2 meetings during the prior 12 months. If you are not certain of your voting status or attendance record, please email [email protected] and the Membership Committee will follow up with you. You may also check your voting eligibility status on the sign-in sheets at monthly JPAC meetings....

Ahead of JPAC's September 2025 meeting, we received several requests to consider recent changes made by the Chicago Park District at 63rd Street over the summer, which impacted the longstanding use of the area near the parking lot and beach house by the 63rd Street Drummers. At the September meeting, after discussion, the PAC adopted a motion that is reflected in the approved minutes from that meeting, below: JPAC_Sept. 8-2025 Monthly Meeting MInutes-rev1Download The motion was finalized and transmitted to the Park District for a response. The Park District replied soon thereafter with the document below. Response JPAC 9-23-2025Download...

Ahead of JPAC's October 2025 meeting, the Clarence Darrow Bridge Preservation Coalition submitted a set of questions to Tanera Adams of the Chicago Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the bridge. These questions were shared with her ahead of the meeting, which she had been planning to attend. She was ultimately not able to attend the meeting but provided answers in writing, which were shared at the meeting. Please find the list of questions, and CDOT's responses, below. 10 06 2025 JPAC Questions with CDOT ResponsesDownload...

Pianos in the Parks will be returning to Jackson Park for yet another summer. A piano will be placed in the park on June 21st as part of Make Music Chicago—the free citywide celebration of the musician in us all—and will be available for anyone to play all summer long. If you’ve never played before but want to try it out you can stop by for a free introductory lesson. Or if you have some experience already, feel free to sit down and tickle the ivories any time during each park’s opening hours. Pianos in the Parks is presented by Make Music Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Park District as part of their Night Out in the Parks program. Instructor: Pam Nuttal Sawyer Lesson schedule: Saturday, 6/21, 11am-12noonWednesday, 6/25, 2-3pmWednesday, 7/2, 2-3pmWednesday, 7/9, 2-3pmWednesday, 7/16, 2-3pmWednesday, 7/23, 2-3pm...

The Jackson Park Advisory Council is completely volunteer-driven. Nothing happens simply because it "should" - things get done when people step up to do them! As of early summer 2025, we are looking for volunteers who want to engage in the following areas: --Historic Bridges: This is a current and active committee, whose main focus at this time is on the much-needed restoration of the Darrow Bridge. --Walk & Report: This is our ongoing effort to systematically assess the park and report on issues that need to be fixed, and help direct the attention and resource of the Park District to the most urgent problems. --External Relations: We are hoping to establish a new committee that focuses on communicating beyond our existing audience of JPAC members and email newsletter subscribers. This would include efforts to engage new people in our work, ensure that we are communicating more effectively to the surrounding communities, and work to make sure our key messages reach relevant public officials...