Alderman Blasts Mayor For Promoting Chicago Infrastructure Project With Suburban Sign

BEVERLY — City crews are busy resurfacing the sidewalks along the Far Southwest Side’s Western Avenue — but a sign in suburban Evergreen Park promoting the public works project has caught the eye of the local alderman.

Western Avenue is getting sidewalk upgrades from 99th Street to 111th Street in Beverly and Morgan Park. The work area has signs touting the project as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Build Better Together” initiative. Such signs are common for construction jobs funded by political efforts.

Except in this case, one of those signs was erected in suburban Evergreen Park.

One of the Build Better Together signs sits on the west side of Western Avenue just north of 99th Street, which is just over the border in Evergreen Park.

In a tweet, Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) took exception to the sign’s placement.

“The Johnson Administration spends an inordinate amount of workforce time and taxpayer dollars promoting the Mayor. For instance, they erected this sign, congratulating themselves, in suburban Evergreen Park, blocking the public way,” O’Shea wrote on social media.

The sign was still on the sidewalk as of Wednesday afternoon. O’Shea told Block Club the sign has been there for several days.

Smaller Build Better Together signs could be found along the construction path Wednesday.

A Block Club reporter saw construction crews pouring mulch in tree beds along the public sidewalk on Western Avenue.

According to Chicago’s infrastructure portal, the construction along Western Avenue from 99th to 111th streets was to replace the sidewalk using federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. Work is to be completed by the beginning of August, according to the listing.

Announced in March 2025, Johnson’s economic development Build Better Together initiative aims to grow housing, businesses innovation, job growth and investment in all of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Johnson’s office did not comment on O’Shea’s post and the Build Better Together sign in Evergreen Park. A spokesperson from the Mayor’s Office referred to a statement from the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Transportation department spokesperson Erica Schroeder told Block Club the department is completing sidewalk improvements along Western Avenue between 99th and 111th streets.

“The first phase began last year, and all work is expected to be completed this summer,” Schroeder said in a statement. “The project includes sidewalk repairs and the replacement of deteriorated red brick pavers throughout the parkway, creating a safer, more accessible and walkable corridor.”