Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces the office will be closed for holidays December 24‑26 and December 31‑January 2, reopening Monday January 5. Garbage and recycling pickups for the 44th Ward will resume the week of January 5, with curb and alley schedules as usual. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects were highlighted in this issue.
Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward explains her decision to vote no on the 2026 budget, citing concerns that the alternative revenue proposal relies on debt collection, speculative revenue estimates, and management‑ordinance changes that would alter oversight of infrastructure and police spending. She argues the proposal could create a mid‑year shortfall, erode public trust, and shift the fiscal burden onto low‑income residents. The newsletter also notes the ward office’s holiday closure, staff planning days, and a call for a fresh start in 2026.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the City Council passed the 2026 budget, preserving funding for gender‑based‑violence services, community safety, and the Chicago Public Library while the alderman opposed several budget ordinances. Groundbreaking this year on five park and open‑space projects and the start of two affordable‑housing developments are complemented by citywide reforms to transit‑oriented development and disabled‑permit parking policies. The office will be closed Dec 24–Jan 5; residents are invited to recycle holiday lights, attend a rapid‑response training, and take advantage of the holiday‑tree recycling program, while being cautioned about New Year’s Eve donation scams.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote in the 2026 People’s Budget, which will allocate $1 million for neighborhood infrastructure improvements. The deadline is December 31, 2025, and nearly 2,000 neighbors have already voted. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are highlighted in this issue.
Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced a community zoning hearing on January 5 to rezone 2415‑25 W. Peterson Ave for a marijuana dispensary and noted his vote against the city’s proposed budget. He highlighted new ordinances—Disabled Parking Permit reform, ADU expansion, and elimination of parking minimums—alongside infrastructure work such as Ashland Avenue resurfacing with raised sidewalks and the final stages of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape. The newsletter also reminded residents that the ward office will be closed for the holidays, urged voting in the 2026 People’s Budget, and listed upcoming community events and safety updates.
The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights introduced legislation that requires city agencies to report ICE requests weekly, a policy aimed at increasing transparency in immigration enforcement. It also launched a Better Streets for Busses online survey to collect community input on bus‑priority corridors, part of a broader effort to improve transit infrastructure. In addition, the committee released its 2025 Annual Report, announced the Chicago Loves Local campaign, and scheduled a Know Your Rights training for January 10 at Back of the Yards High School.
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward notes her “No” vote on the city’s unbalanced budget, citing its unsustainability and lack of new revenue, and highlights the ongoing community review of a zoning change for 3039 W Irving Park Rd (B3‑1 to B2‑3). The newsletter also announces the ward office’s winter‑break closure, its role as a distribution site for gun‑safety locks, smoke and carbon‑monoxide detectors, and lists upcoming community events such as holiday meal kits and low‑income housing workshops. Additional resources include mutual‑aid maps, free vaccination clinics, and volunteer opportunities.
Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s office hosted a community meeting on November 19 to discuss the proposed 5‑story mixed‑use development at 7644 N Sheridan, a zoning‑and‑housing project that received strong local support. The CTA will implement new schedules for the 36 Broadway and 151 Sheridan bus lines starting December 21, and the Department of Water Management began a 75‑day sewer‑lining project west of N Greenview Ave, affecting several streets. The 49th Ward office will be closed for holidays from December 22 to January 4, and residents celebrated the 29th annual Christmas in the Wards event while the ward highlighted community resources such as the Live Love Shop Rogers Park rebate program.
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.