Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward highlighted an upcoming public input session on a zoning change for 3240 W Lawrence Ave (B1‑2 to B2‑5) and reminded residents that the City Council budget address will be held on Oct. 16, where ward‑level budget allocations will be discussed. The newsletter also announced the annual Halloween Decoration Contest, several community events such as the NIJC Halloween Costume Contest, and initiatives to support local businesses and street vendors. Additionally, the ward office will be closed on Oct. 13 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and residents are encouraged to sign up for ICE alerts and continue supporting neighborhood vendors and businesses.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports that the ward’s zoning committee is currently reviewing requests for changes at several properties—including 3446 W North Ave and 1701 N Kimball—while the proposed extension of the Logan Square Boulevards Landmark District is under consideration. The ward also announced infrastructure updates, such as the Chicago Residential Lighting Improvements Program and upcoming CDOT street work, and noted the city’s new ICE‑Free Zone executive order by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Additional highlights include the office’s temporary closure on Oct. 13, a holiday recycling schedule alert, and community events such as the Senior Wellness Fair and the “You Are Not Alone” gathering.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that CTA track work from Addison to Grace and the Halsted Arterial resurfacing project—both funded infrastructure initiatives—will temporarily close streets and improve safety. The ward also highlighted the Chicago Marathon route closures on October 12, urging residents to plan for street‑access changes, and promoted the October event calendar, including the Lakeview East Halloween Parade and the Northalsted Halloween Pup Crawl. Additional updates included a city‑council letter condemning ICE abuses, new immigrant‑rights resources, and a reminder that the ward office will be closed on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward is hosting a virtual community meeting on October 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM to gather feedback on a pending Consumption‑on‑Premise liquor license for N&K Entertainment LLC (doing business as Cache) at 1446 N Wells St. The meeting is co‑hosted with the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association and will be held via Zoom. No other policy, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety announcements are included in this newsletter.

The 25th Ward newsletter from Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez lists no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street‑safety meetings or policy changes. It highlights several community events: a State of the Ward meeting on Oct. 16, a property‑tax relief session on Oct. 8, a free record‑expungement workshop on Oct. 11, a shredding event and Halloween block party on Oct. 17, and a community meeting at the 18th St Casa de Cultura on Oct. 16. The office will be closed on Indigenous People’s Day, and the Homeowner Relief Fund is also promoted.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the Plow the Sidewalks Pilot was defeated, so Chicago will not receive municipal sidewalk snow‑clearance this winter. He also highlighted community input on the 2240 N. Milwaukee development proposal, the completion of Park 399, and upcoming street work on the alley south of N Milwaukee and on N Talman. Other updates include a Domestic Violence Awareness Month hearing, clarification on ICE‑related claims, an office closure for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, leaf‑removal guidance, and free vaccine clinics.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces that the Chicago Cubs’ playoff games will trigger standard game‑day procedures, including street closures, parking restrictions, and CTA service adjustments. Riders will face pickup and drop‑off limits at specified intersections for all home games, and the neighborhood will see increased traffic and crowd activity. No new zoning, development, or budget decisions are highlighted in this issue.

Alderwoman Angela Clay invites residents to a community conversation on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5:30‑7:00 PM at Truman College to discuss local updates, resources, and ways to strengthen the 46th Ward. No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings are scheduled for this event. The gathering will feature city departments and community partners, offering a forum for neighbors to share ideas and ask questions about ongoing ward initiatives.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings this week. The ward is reviewing several zoning‑intake requests and is considering an extension of the Boulevard Landmark District, while the Chicago Residential Lighting Improvements Program—new LED smart lighting and sidewalk restoration—will begin the week of Oct 6, 2025. In addition, the newsletter highlights ICE‑related incidents, the Rapid Response Network, and community events such as Unhoused Solidarity Day, the Senior Wellness Fair, and the 26th Ward Office’s various outreach programs.

On October 3, Alderman Bennett Lawson cut the ribbon for Lakeview Landing, a new 37‑unit affordable‑housing project for people with disabilities, marking a key development approval in the 44th Ward. The ward also highlighted upcoming infrastructure work—CTA track repairs from Addison to Grace and Halsted Arterial resurfacing—as well as street‑closure plans for the Chicago Marathon that will affect parking and traffic. Other updates included the opening of several local businesses, the ward’s participation in the AIDS Run & Walk, and resources for immigrant residents, along with a public‑safety community conversation scheduled for October 7.

Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez announced this week’s first community meeting for the 2025 Participatory Budgeting process and a public meeting to discuss lifting the Elston Ave liquor moratorium, while the ward’s zoning office is inviting input on the 3240 W Lawrence Ave type‑1 change request from B1‑2 to B2‑5. The PB process approved funding for a new playground at Bateman Elementary, and the Homeowner Relief Program offers a $1,000 lottery payment to eligible Cook County homeowners, both reflecting budgetary decisions made by the ward. In addition, the newsletter highlighted ongoing ICE raid responses, the launch of a rapid‑response volunteer network, and a schedule of community events including a pet blessing, neighbor nights, and a town hall on homelessness and mental health.

Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) announced a virtual community meeting on Oct 6 to discuss updated zoning plans for 2240 N Milwaukee, and highlighted ongoing community review updates for that site and for 1805 N Campbell, where developers propose 50‑unit mixed‑use and 21‑unit residential projects, respectively. The newsletter also detailed the final plans for a Wood Street bike greenway that will link Milwaukee Avenue to Augusta Boulevard, and noted Palmer Square Park’s new Level One Arboretum accreditation. Other highlights included the Meet Me On Milwaukee event, West Town Library and Art Walk activities, a city‑wide Clean‑Off competition, a Wicker Park Garden Club collage class, and the opening of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Program application.

No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects were announced. The newsletter promotes a Senior Sock Hop for 46th‑Ward seniors on Tuesday, September 30 at the Aragon Ballroom (11:00 AM‑2:00 PM) with food, live entertainment, raffles, and resource tables from city departments and community partners. The 46th‑Ward office will be closed that day, and the event is organized by Angela Clay, Alderwoman – 46th Ward.

Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez invites residents of the 25th Ward to a State of the Ward Community Meeting on Oct 16 to discuss the city budget that Mayor Johnson will announce on Oct 15 and to review the ward’s progress. He also highlights upcoming community events— a free record‑expungement workshop on Oct 11, a shredding event and Halloween block party on Oct 17, and a pumpkin patch on Oct 18— and promotes the Pilsen Rapid Response Network for immigrant‑rights support. The newsletter underscores the importance of community participation in the budget process and offers additional resources for residents.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes notes that the 26th Ward will host an HPAC Community Meeting on Oct 1 and is currently reviewing zoning‑intake requests for several properties, while the City Council’s recent vote expanded ADU rights and approved the Jackson Park Housing Pilot. The ward also announced the Chicago Residential Lighting Improvements Program slated for Oct 6 and the final call for participatory‑budget ideas by Sept 30. Other highlights include the Humboldt Park Little League trophy ceremony, Alma’s Way cultural event, and a range of community‑service and job‑opportunity notices.

No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes were announced in this issue. The newsletter focuses on the Chicago Cubs Wild Card series at Wrigley Field, detailing game dates, parking and traffic restrictions, a planned military aircraft flyover, and fireworks, with contact information for the Cubs Hotline and city alerts. Alderman Bennett Lawson signs off, encouraging neighbors to stay informed and enjoy the playoff excitement.

Alderman Bennett Lawson (44th Ward) announced that the City Council unanimously passed a new ordinance expanding Accessory Dwelling Units citywide—adding parking flexibility, apprenticeship incentives, and a 700‑sq‑ft. cap removal—while also moving the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance forward to protect communities from pollution. The ward is also seeing street‑safety improvements, with Halsted Arterial resurfacing underway and rainbow crosswalks slated for repainting, and CTA track work between Addison and Grace will temporarily restrict access to certain parking areas. Other highlights include the 25th Annual East Lakeview Neighbors Oktoberfest raising $46,000, a Bank of America Chicago Marathon street‑closure schedule, and upcoming back‑to‑school fundraisers and a free shredding event on October 25.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez highlighted the September 25 CTA Budget Townhall and the ongoing zoning reviews for 3240 W Lawrence Ave (B1‑2 to B2‑5) and 3122 W Belmont/3203 N Troy (C1‑1 to B2‑3) as key meetings and development approvals for the 33rd Ward. Other updates include a City Council press conference on ICE abductions, a visit from Irma Aragon, the launch of the City of Chicago Family Preparedness Campaign, and several community events such as the Neighborhood Night, Participatory Budgeting meeting, and the upcoming CTA Budget Townhall. The ward also announced infrastructure tools like ChiStreetWorks and the 2025 street‑sweeping schedule, and encouraged residents to volunteer and attend upcoming events including the Sage Brigade and community meetings.

On October 1 the Humboldt Park Advisory Council will hold a public meeting at the Fieldhouse to discuss a new business proposal for the Humboldt Park Boathouse. Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward also announced the city’s approval of ADU expansion and the Jackson Park Housing Pilot, and the Logan Square Boulevards District Extension Project is now in the zoning review process. Residents are reminded that the final call for Participatory Budgeting ideas is due September 30, the Chicago Residential Lighting Improvements Program will begin work on October 6, and community highlights include the Humboldt Park Little League trophy ceremony and Alma’s Way cultural event.

Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) announced that this week’s City Council will vote on expanding accessory dwelling units citywide, affirming residential composting, and approving last‑mile logistics facilities, and he is also working on a gender‑based‑violence hearing with Ald. Rossana Rodriguez‑Sanchez. A virtual zoning meeting is set for October 6 to review updated plans for 2240 N Milwaukee following the Greater Goethe Neighborhood Review, and the 1st Ward will host a Meet Me on Milwaukee event this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other events include a public‑safety commission meeting on September 25, an older‑adult safety presentation on September 26, and a Shakespeare Blood Oath performance at Eckhart Park on Saturday.