Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports that the City Council is moving forward with a budget that will impose new taxes and fines on working‑class residents, and she has unveiled a 2026 participatory‑budgeting ballot featuring ranked‑choice voting for 12 community projects. A community zoning meeting on December 18 discussed a proposed 45‑unit residential development at 3251 W. Division Street, with a follow‑up meeting scheduled for January 5 to gather further input. The newsletter also highlights the Logan Square Boulevards District Extension Project, the ward’s holiday office closure, and ongoing community‑safety initiatives.

The 19th Police District released its 2026 community‑meeting calendar, expanding public‑safety engagement across the 44th Ward. Alderman Bennett Lawson advanced housing policy by expanding the ADU ordinance to allow coach houses and basement/attic units citywide and cutting red‑tape for converting vacant storefronts into housing, while approving several development projects such as Lakeview Landing, the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center expansion, the Briar Street Theater redevelopment, and the Halsted hotel project. Infrastructure spending included resurfacing Halsted Street with rainbow crosswalks, installing a raised crosswalk at Roscoe and Elaine, adding pedestrian bump‑outs on Southport, completing a new sustainable green alley, and progressing the CTA Red and Purple Line Modernization with a new bypass and Phase One completion, alongside the John Kelly Park renovation and the 2027 MLB All‑Star Game funding for security barriers and sidewalk widening. Other highlights included the grand opening of Hot Chi Chicken and the Department of Streets’ “You Name a Snowplow” contest.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward announced a $1.5 million participatory‑budgeting allocation for sidewalk repairs and the completion of Clark Street safety improvements and the Montrose arterial street‑light project, while also highlighting the HUPA affordable‑housing project that brings 103 renovated units to Uptown. The ward also shared the CTA holiday train schedule and continued community outreach, including the CP4P gift giveaway, a winter coat drive, and the Christmas in the Wards celebration. Other updates included the upcoming SNAP eligibility rule changes and the office’s holiday closure from December 22 to January 5.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez reports that the 33rd Ward has been actively engaged in budget negotiations, attending daily City Hall meetings and the Finance Committee hearing where a controversial revenue plan was approved—she has voted “no” on the plan. She also highlighted a zoning community review for the 3039 W Irving Park Rd project, currently in the B3‑1 to B2‑3 change‑request stage. Other updates include the launch of the ChiStreetWorks construction‑tracking tool and a slate of community events and resource announcements.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward reported on the Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, where he opposed the budget appropriations and management ordinances that were passed. He highlighted concerns over unrealistic revenue projections and the removal of oversight on police overtime and speed‑camera revenue, and he has submitted over $170 million in alternative revenue and savings proposals. La Spata emphasized the need for a balanced budget and pledged to continue working with colleagues to secure realistic revenue options.

On December 18, 2025, 48th‑Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth announced the City Council’s alternative 2026 budget hearings and her own scheduled meetings to secure a balanced budget, while introducing ordinances to expand disabled‑parking permits and earmark speed‑camera revenue for pedestrian and transit safety. She also reported development approvals—including the Steep Theatre groundbreaking, the opening of Fried Egg Café, and the lifting of the liquor‑sales moratorium at Hollywood Marketplace—along with the Chicago Park District’s balanced 2026 budget and the CTA Holiday Fleet service. Additional updates highlighted the Northmere SRO vacating, the return of the Edgewater Indoor Market, and community events such as the “You Name a Snowplow” contest and the ward’s holiday celebrations.

The 49th Ward newsletter, issued by Alderwoman Maria Hadden, announces the 49th Ward Volunteer Holiday Party and invites residents to RSVP by replying to the email. It thanks volunteers for their hard work this year and provides contact details for Community and Communications Outreach Coordinator Ashley. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street safety projects are mentioned in this issue.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward spent Monday and Tuesday in council and caucus meetings on the city budget, voting on a revenue ordinance, a property‑tax levy, a bond‑authorization ordinance, and a refinancing bond. He opposed the revenue ordinance because of speculative and regressive revenue sources, backed the property‑tax levy to fund library positions, voted against the first bond authorization due to insufficient infrastructure funding, and supported the refinancing bond for savings. Outside budget matters, the office highlighted its holiday gift drive, the office’s holiday break, a rapid‑response training event, and the upcoming Cookie Walk at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral.

The 40th‑Ward newsletter urges residents to cast their ballots in the People’s Budget, aiming for 2,200 votes by December 22 to decide how $1 million in public funds will be spent on local infrastructure. The message highlights the two‑week deadline and the importance of community participation. It is signed by Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward.

Ald. Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward stresses the 2026 city budget, urging residents to watch his updates and opposing regressive tax hikes. He is also campaigning to place a 3 % millionaire surcharge referendum on the March ballot. The newsletter notes the city’s winter overnight parking ban beginning Dec. 1 and invites residents to the 25th Ward Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 19.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board has endorsed his proposed curfew ordinance to curb teen takeovers, and that CTA will implement new bus reroutes in Streeterville to reduce traffic congestion. He also announces the opening of a Fresh Market grocery store at 1233 N Wells St and reminds residents of their sidewalk snow‑removal responsibilities under city ordinance. Additional highlights include the Menorah Lighting ceremony, the 29th Annual Christmas in the Wards, and upcoming library and community events.

The 40th‑Ward newsletter from Alderman Andre Vasquez is a call to action urging residents to cast their vote in the 2026 People’s Budget, which allocates $1 million for local infrastructure improvements. It stresses the need to reach 2,200 votes by December 22, 2025, and provides the voting link (40thward.org/pb) and contact details for the ward office. No meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are announced in this issue.

The 49th Ward newsletter contains no updates on zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget matters. It announces a volunteer holiday party, inviting residents and their plus‑ones to RSVP via the provided link, and encourages contact with Community and Communications Outreach Coordinator Ashley for questions. The message is signed by Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward.

City Council will meet next week, with the Finance and Budget committees scheduled, and the 1st Ward Office is soliciting feedback on budget proposals—including a revised head tax, a proposed increase in garbage collection fees, and borrowing to cover operating expenses. Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward invites residents to complete the survey and attend the ward office’s first‑ever Wrapping Mixer on December 13. The survey and upcoming meetings will shape the ward’s budget priorities for the coming year.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s 49th Ward office reports that City Council will meet Monday‑Thursday and again on December 23 to resolve the 2026 budget, with aldermen proposing an alternative revenue plan that eliminates the head tax and replaces it with higher garbage, liquor, and video‑gaming taxes, while the mayor proposes a $33 head‑tax for businesses with 500+ employees. The ward also announced a pending development approval for a five‑story mixed‑use building at 7644 N. Sheridan that will provide 44 affordable units, and the Department of Water Management has begun a 75‑day sewer‑lining project west of N. Greenview Ave, with tree‑trimming scheduled for December 15. Other highlights include the alderwoman’s medical leave, warming‑center openings for sub‑zero weather, a filming notice for “Chicago Fire” on Loyola Ave, and community events such as the Rogers Park Live Love Shop and the Chicago Kurdish Film Festival.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced several upcoming meetings and zoning actions, including an Affordable Housing Meeting on December 16 and ongoing reviews of zoning‑change requests for multiple properties, while the participatory‑budgeting ballot for 2026 is nearly ready for ranked‑choice voting. The ward also highlighted the passage of HB 1312, a state law that strengthens protections for immigrant communities, and noted the extension of the Logan Square Boulevards Landmark District—a zoning change that preserves historic character. Other key updates include the Winter Senior Gala, the 19th Annual Paseo Boricua Parranda, a holiday office‑closure notice, and community‑resource links such as the California Ave construction alert and local food and immigration‑rights resources.

Alder Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote in the 2025‑2026 People’s Budget, which will decide how $1 million in public funds will be spent on local infrastructure improvements. The campaign has already secured 1,800 votes and is targeting 2,200 by December 22, with voting open until December 31. Residents can cast their ballots at 40thward.org/PB and help shape the ward’s future.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced at a City Council meeting that he is amending the budget‑management ordinance to require an independent audit of the Chicago Police Department, bi‑monthly hearings on police‑misconduct settlements, and greater transparency in quarterly budget reports. He also highlighted ongoing street‑safety projects—such as Ashland Avenue resurfacing and new pedestrian‑safety improvements—while urging residents to vote in the 2026 People’s Budget and noting the office’s holiday closure. Additional updates include the launch of the Chicago Loves Local campaign, cold‑weather resources, and a reminder to submit feedback on the Winnemac Park advisory council’s beer‑sales proposal for Edgewater Castle FC games.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez reports that the 33rd Ward will host a public input session for the Irving Park Road Study on Dec 13‑14 and a Neighbor Night on Dec 15 featuring a Department of Planning and Development presentation, while city‑wide budget negotiations continue in the coming week. The ward is also reviewing a zoning change request for 3039 W Irving Park Rd (B3‑1 to B2‑3) and encouraging residents to comment on the Irving Park Road Study. In addition, the alderwoman urges participation in the library budget survey, highlights emergency shelter and free winter‑gear distribution, and lists a slate of holiday community events and volunteer opportunities for the month.”}

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the city council passed an ordinance legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single‑family zones—a key housing policy change—and noted his opposition to a broad hemp ban that would have prohibited THC drinks. He also highlighted budget concerns, opposing the mayor’s proposal that includes borrowing for operating expenses and a head tax, and reminded residents of the upcoming court hearing on the Leon Jackson battery case and the final 19th Police District Council meeting. Additional updates included the groundbreaking of improvements at John Kelly Park, the East Lake View Neighbors Community Grant Program deadline, and community events such as the Wrigleyville Wonderland holiday celebration.