Residents living near the border of Logan Square and Avondale have been dealing with a persistent buzzing noise since November, which has now been resolved. The source of the disturbance was identified as a faulty industrial boiler at The Fields Studios, located at 4120 W. Diversey Ave., according to Alderman Felix Cardona Jr. (31st).
Neighbors in the area around George Street, Karlov Avenue, and Barski Lane reported that the noise was both loud and constant, prompting them to file 311 requests and reach out to city officials. Some residents even went outside late at night in an attempt to locate the origin of the sound.
Stephen Howard, who lives nearby, described his experience: “I was watching TV, and [the sound] was overwhelming. … I was in my backyard at 2 a.m. and it was vibrating off the fence,” he said. “It sounded like a diesel motor, like if you were standing next to a Greyhound bus and the engine was just running.” Howard noted that not only could he hear the noise but also feel vibrations in the area.
Betsie Macato, another resident across from The Fields, said her family had difficulty sleeping due to the buzzing. She first noticed it in late November when it would start for short periods before stopping and then returning sporadically throughout both day and night. After submitting a 311 request, she experienced temporary relief before the problem returned in December.
Macato reached out to Alderman Cardona last week when the issue intensified. “We [would] hear it all the time when we are home. It was constant,” Macato said. “I was losing my mind and up all night.”
Alderman Cardona maintained regular communication with The Fields management, building inspectors, and engineers working on repairs. He stated that management was aware of their responsibility: “They have to be good neighbors and they have to fix the situation,” Cardona said Friday. “I can understand the frustration with the neighbors there because it’s a noise that’s very annoying and is on and off, on and off.”
The repair process required custom-ordered parts for the three-to-four-year-old boiler system—installed during The Fields’ recent warehouse transformation—and involved specialized crews whose work was delayed by supply issues over the holidays.
By Saturday, engineers had completed repairs on the boiler system, ending nearly two months of disruption for local residents.
Representatives from The Fields did not respond to requests for comment.
Following completion of repairs over the weekend, neighbors reported no further disturbances from buzzing noises. Macato expressed appreciation for Cardona’s involvement: “My family’s sleep has been restored,” she said.
