Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Ald. Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) joined a City Council transportation hearing to oppose the proposed Amtrak Maintenance Facility, thanking residents who spoke against the proposal. The Pui Tak Center received a $750,000 grant for building restoration; it will participate in Open House Chicago on October 17.

Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) is seeking rider input for the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s first regional budget, which will guide future CTA, Metra, and Pace investments; he also discussed the amended parking meter deal and infrastructure concerns. The newsletter notes Chicago’s projected $880 million budget shortfall and a possible push for corporate taxes. Waguespack called for a thorough, timely CPS Inspector General investigation into allegations involving school board candidate Hilario Dominguez, and announced upcoming police community conversations to help shape district plans.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) reported setting up compromise negotiations on updates to Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and held a press conference outlining Keep Chicago Housed’s 2027 budget needs. The newsletter also notes that K–12 students can now ride CTA and Pace for 75 cents per trip, and provides updates on a green alley installation, an Estes water-main replacement, and upcoming street resurfacing. Other announcements include a tenant-rights workshop and community events.

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) announced that there will be no garbage collection Monday, October 12, while recycling will run as scheduled; garbage pickup resumes Tuesday, and City and ward offices will be closed Monday. The ward also promoted the November 28 Beverly Hills Turkey Trot, an October 24 concert at Givins Castle, and the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings program.

Alderman William Hall and the 6th Ward Office invite residents to a free Harvest Fest at 79th and Rhodes on October 10, 17, 24, and 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family event will feature activities, music, and food vendors.

Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor of the 20th Ward is inviting residents to a “Development 101” discussion about special-use requests and how development proposals move through the City. Residents can hear from organizations proposing developments, learn how proposals may affect their community, and ask questions about the process.

Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward alderman, announced a virtual Oct. 14 community meeting on rezoning 5036–5044 N. Ashland for a five-story, 35-unit building with seven affordable units; his ordinance to expand Smart Streets camera enforcement citywide is also being heard in committee. The ward’s People’s Budget vote opens next week, and sewer-main replacement, street resurfacing, new lighting, and the Elise Malary Plaza project are underway or planned. Vasquez also reported recent nearby shootings and ongoing public-safety coordination, and highlighted upcoming community events and free bike helmets.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward highlighted a rider survey to help shape the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s first regional budget and said he discussed the amended parking meter deal and infrastructure issues on a radio program. He also urged a thorough, prompt investigation into allegations against Chicago Board of Education president candidate Hilario Dominguez, and announced upcoming police community conversations to inform district strategic plans.

43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen reported that the City’s Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee delayed a vote on extending Divvy’s contract through 2033, which includes designated bike/scooter parking areas to reduce sidewalk clutter; the City’s ADU-legalization ordinance is now in effect. Knudsen is also pressing for a long-term solution and traffic mitigation during the Cortland Street Bridge closure, and will host a discussion about the ward budget and infrastructure funding on October 15. He said a suspect in three armed robberies was apprehended and encouraged residents to participate in community public-safety meetings.

Anthony J. Quezada, alderman of Chicago’s 35th Ward, announced protected bike lanes on Kedzie Avenue and California Avenue, with California’s speed limit also dropping to 20 mph; Fullerton resurfacing and Logan Square Blue Line station canopy reconstruction are also upcoming. Residential permit parking will take effect on the 3000 block of W. Belden in November, and the newsletter also shares election dates, community events, and utility-bill assistance information.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) joined housing advocates urging that Chicago’s FY2027 budget fund rental assistance, housing for people exiting homelessness, and homelessness services; the newsletter also announces a Humboldt Park town hall on October 26. A new $2.63 million Small Business Improvement Fund grant round for the Pulaski Corridor TIF opens November 1. Other announcements include a Senior Wellness Fair, community soil lead testing, and the office’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day closure.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlighted the Clybourn Metra Station redesign survey and ongoing Division Street streetscape work, including wider sidewalks, improved crossings, lighting and landscaping; other ward infrastructure projects include resurfacing and pedestrian improvements. The ward and Chicago Park District split $150,000 for Clover Playlot upgrades, and Hopkins co-sponsored a resolution to reinstate the City-Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force; Chicago Marathon street closures are scheduled for October 11.

Alderman William Hall of Chicago’s 6th Ward announced the launch of his weekly Friday happy hour on 75th Street, starting today at 6 p.m. at Rickettes (641 E. 75th Street), with free chicken while supplies last.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports CDOT is installing pilot bus-lane markings on northbound Michigan Avenue and that CTA Green and Pink Line service will be suspended between Clinton and Clark/Lake from October 13–26 for Lake Street Bridge work, with shuttle buses provided. The newsletter also details upcoming street closures and construction, including the Chicago Marathon and Columbus Day Parade, and notes the ward office will be closed October 12 for Columbus Day.

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez joined Keep Chicago Housed in urging the city’s 2027 budget to include $15 million for affordable housing, $13 million for the Low Income Housing Trust Fund, and $2 million for the Flexible Housing Pool. She also highlighted the won extension of the #93 California/Dodge bus route to Kedzie; a zoning application to change 3256 N. Elston Ave. from RS-3 to B2-2 remains under review. The newsletter also announces a Senior Resource Fair on October 16 and street-safety and infrastructure work in the ward.

17th Ward Alderman David Moore is encouraging residents to vote for the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), a Chicago Innovation Awards finalist whose Re-Up program has returned more than $500,000 to the community. Applications are also open for Imagine Englewood If’s paid youth leadership programs for teens ages 12–18.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward supports rezoning 1429 W. Irving Park for a five-story, 36-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail and seven affordable homes; the proposal was backed by neighborhood groups and most survey respondents. Street-safety work at Leland and Sheridan includes modern traffic signals, pedestrian walk signs, and curb extensions, while water-main and streetlight projects are also underway. The newsletter also promotes an October 20 housing, SNAP, and Medicaid resource fair and other community events.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin reports that the City Council Finance Committee authorized a $261 million settlement in 16 lawsuits involving former CPD detective Reynaldo Guevara. He contributed $100,000 in local infrastructure funds toward an accessible Coonley Elementary playground, and sewer upgrades and lead service line replacements are planned in Ravenswood. The Environmental Protection Committee advanced his proposal to bar City departments from buying Styrofoam and other nonrecyclable plastic foodware; the newsletter also highlights neighborhood events and services.

Alderman Desmon Yancy’s Fifth Ward office will be closed Monday, October 12, in observance of the City of Chicago holiday calendar. The office will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 13.

48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth announced a proposed zoning change for a five-story mixed-use building with 27 apartments at 1449 W. Devon, with feedback due October 16, and a community meeting to develop ideas for the ward’s $1 million 2027 participatory-budgeting ballot. Other updates include new Divvy stations, construction of a green alley and Foster/Wayne pedestrian bump-outs, and upcoming street paving.