Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the People’s Budget vote will be finalized next week and that he held a CPD‑ICE hearing, introducing ordinance O2025‑0019956 to clarify COPA’s authority over police‑ICE interactions. Feedback is now open on a rezoning request for 2415 W Peterson (B3‑2 to C1‑2) to allow a cannabis dispensary, and the Shared Sidewalk Cost Program opened January 12, offering low‑cost sidewalk replacements. Street‑safety projects continue with Ashland, Pratt, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Avenue resurfacing and streetscape work, while community events include a CCPSA meeting, election judge applications, winter English classes, holiday tree recycling, and the Reduce Waste Chicago holiday lights collection.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward announced several upcoming meetings, including a January 22 community meeting to discuss a proposed 54‑unit supportive‑housing development at 4458 N. Clarendon, a meeting about Sarah’s on Sunnyside, and a review of the new Red Line station at Lawrence and a new bus stop at Broadway & Wilson. She also highlighted the Broadway rezoning that will allow up to 18,000 new homes with 20 % affordable units, the approval of Black Ensemble Theater’s 53‑unit affordable building, the 3611 N. Halsted 11‑story development with 38 affordable units, the Heart of Uptown Apartments rehabilitation, the Leland building preservation, the citywide ADU ordinance, the removal of parking requirements near transit, and the new bike lane on Clark. Other key updates include community‑safety initiatives, small‑business support, and the 2025 Back‑to‑School Bash, Protecting Our Neighbors Forum, and Harm Reduction Fair.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada of the 35th Ward announced he voted no on the 2026 city budget and will host a budget report‑back town hall on Jan. 20 to discuss the approved budget’s implications. The ward is also holding a Jan. 20 meeting to review a request to lift the liquor‑license moratorium on North Milwaukee Avenue, and the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Shared‑Cost Sidewalk Program applications open Jan. 12 for sidewalk reconstruction. Additionally, the ward received two city grants—one for façade repairs to D5 Design and Metal Fabrication and another for a neighborhood‑access program to the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance—while the alderman expressed solidarity over the ICE shooting in Minneapolis and urged residents to stay vigilant.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward reports no upcoming meetings or policy changes on zoning, housing, transit, or budget. The only infrastructure update is the Fletcher water‑main replacement on the 2100 and 2200 blocks, with no scheduled shutdowns. Residents are reminded of the shared sidewalk program opening, tree and holiday‑light recycling, the local school‑council election, and the Bears‑Packers game at Soldier Field.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reports that CAPS meetings will be held January 15‑22 for beats 1824‑1834 and January 14 for beat 121, and that the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program applications open January 12. He notes the demolition of the State/Lake CTA station, which will close the station and limit Lake St traffic, and the River North CTA #66 and #8 bus reroutes that took effect December 21. Several street‑closure projects—including a crane lift on Superior St, a helicopter lift on Wacker, Canal St reconstruction, Lake Street Bascule Bridge demolition, and 114 E Oak façade work—will affect traffic through mid‑2026, while holiday tree drop‑off sites remain open until January 17.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward announced upcoming zoning and development meetings, including a Lawrence Avenue Study community meeting on Jan. 15 and public input on the 3039 W Irving Park Rd change request (B3‑1 to B2‑3). She also highlighted the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program opening on Jan. 12 as a new infrastructure spending initiative and the finalization of the Participatory Budgeting ballot for the year. Other key events include a free‑meal program, a film screening on immigrant justice, and volunteer opportunities for community support.

The Third Ward Aldermanic Office issued a special auto safety and security alert, offering vehicle protection tips from the Chicago Police Department. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street redesign projects were mentioned. The notice includes the office’s contact details at 5046 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60609.

Alderman Anthony A. Beale of the 9th Ward announces a shared‑cost sidewalk program scheduled for Monday, January 12, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with spots available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street redesign projects are mentioned. The newsletter otherwise contains only contact information for the alderman’s office.

Alderman Samantha Nugent of the 39th Ward announced that the City Council approved the 2026 Municipal Budget, which allocates new funding for public safety, infrastructure, and core services while identifying $100 million in efficiencies. She also introduced the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, a new policy that lets property owners share the cost of sidewalk reconstruction, and highlighted ongoing efforts to connect homeless residents with housing and support services. Additional community updates include a new splash pad at Hollywood Park, holiday tree‑recycling drives, and several local events and volunteer opportunities.

Alderman Debra Silverstein of the 50th Ward notes that winter parking restrictions remain unchanged through April 1 and encourages residents to use the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on January 12 to repair cracked sidewalks. She also highlights the upcoming CAPS meetings for community safety and the city’s ongoing holiday‑light and Christmas‑tree recycling drives. Additional updates include the 2026 primary‑election registration, health‑insurance enrollment, senior‑citizen tax‑deferral applications, and winter heating‑assistance programs.

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward invites residents to the first community meeting of 2026 on Jan. 12 at St. James Community Church, where plans for the year and the 6th Ward Forward Initiative will be discussed. The meeting will coincide with the launch of the City of Chicago Shared‑Cost Sidewalk Program, allowing 6th Ward property owners to apply for sidewalk repairs through a partnership with the city. No other policy changes, development approvals, or budget decisions were announced.

Alderman Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward reports no upcoming zoning or development hearings, but notes new parking enforcement on residential blocks—including residential parking, disability park, hydrant and corner‑clearance zones—and participation in the Shared Sidewalk Program to improve street safety. The ward is also addressing transit service changes, with a scheduled Pace fare‑collection outage on Jan. 9‑10, 2026, while continuing sewer clean‑ups to mitigate flooding, tackling street‑level issues such as damaged signs and potholes, and reminding residents of the updated noise ordinance and youth curfew. Residents are reminded of the 2026 Vote‑by‑Mail option, upcoming Local School Council elections, STEM Academy programs, and community events like the Rosca de Reyes celebration.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes in this edition. Residents are reminded that the property owners’ appeals deadline is February 3, 2026, and the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program applications open Monday, January 12, 2026. Additional community events include a senior & veteran Valentine’s lunch and a volunteer sign‑up opportunity, with the 16th Ward Service Office open Monday‑Friday during listed hours.

Alderman Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward announced a new rideshare surcharge effective Tuesday in the congestion zone and noted the City Council’s approval of a revised curfew ordinance—both policy changes affecting transit and public safety. He also highlighted the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, which will run Monday, Jan. 12, offering free sidewalk appraisals to improve street safety. Other updates include a workshop on unclaimed funds, vehicle‑break‑in safety tips, and new local business openings in the ward.

Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward office has scheduled a series of community meetings for 2026, including a one‑pager of neighborhood and police beat meetings, and has opened RFPs for three CTA‑owned vacant sites along Clark to spur transit‑oriented development. Lawson expanded the citywide ADU ordinance, passed legislation to host the 2027 MLB All‑Star Game at Wrigley Field, approved the opening of Lakeview Landing and the Briar Street Theater redevelopment, and funded infrastructure projects such as street resurfacing on Cornelia, Pine Grove, and Hawthorne, new LED traffic signal upgrades, speed humps, and pedestrian safety features, while the CTA Red and Purple Line Modernization Phase One was completed. Other highlights include the opening of Taste of Egg restaurant, a City grant for The Annoyance Theatre, a winter coat drive with the Bears, and community events such as the Lakeview Dog Park donation page and various festivals.

Conway’s Corner reports several infrastructure updates: a winter overnight parking ban (3 am‑7 am) on 107 mi of main streets, the closure of the State/Lake elevated station for new construction (disrupting Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Line service), and ongoing bridge projects—including the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction, Lake Street Bascule Bridge rehabilitation, Halsted Street & Chicago Avenue Bridge demolition, and Ashland/I‑290 Expressway Viaduct work—each with detour plans and completion dates through 2028. The newsletter also announces the 2026 Individual Artists Program application deadline (Jan 15), upcoming SNAP benefit changes effective Feb 1, and community opportunities such as poll‑worker recruitment, the Camera Registration Program, and volunteer events with Hope’s Table and the Cat Rescue program. No alderman name or ward is mentioned in this edition.

Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth, 48th Ward alderwoman, announced the passage of the 2026 City of Chicago budget, noting protections for youth employment, the CARE program, a historic social media tax, and library funding, while also signing executive orders to cap police overtime and prohibit the sale of medical debt. She called a CCPSA special meeting on January 8 to hear public comments on CPD‑ICE interactions, hosted a design meeting for Emanuel Congregation’s 5959 N Sheridan development, and reported the reopening of the sidewalk in front of Timeline Theatre, while noting the by‑right conversion of 1244 W Thorndale into 32 apartments. Additional updates highlighted the Edgewater Indoor Market opening, the “You Name a Snowplow” contest, the Chicago Scholars mentorship program, and reminders of upcoming primary election information.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward announces the launch of the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on January 12, urging property owners to repair sidewalks at a low cost. He also highlights community initiatives—dog‑rescue efforts, a food‑pantry donation link, and a local car‑rental facility. The newsletter lists numerous job openings across police, fire, and municipal services.

The Public Safety Committee, chaired by Alderman Tabares of Ward 23, approved a snap curfew to enhance street safety. The newsletter also highlighted the inaugural meeting of the Cook‑County/Chicago Violence‑Against‑Women Task Force and offered property‑tax‑assessment appeal assistance for Ward 23 residents. Additional updates included a call for community input on a special‑education policy committee, safety reminders amid recent robberies, and snow‑removal assistance and volunteer opportunities for seniors.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman of the 16th Ward reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes. The primary announcement is a sign‑up for the 16th Ward Know Your Rights Forum, scheduled for January 2026 at the 16th Ward Service Office. Service office hours and contact details are provided for residents.