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.
Alderwoman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward highlights the 2026 Chicago city budget, which proposes a Community Safety Fund funded by a corporate surcharge, and urges residents to review the budget and attend upcoming town‑hall discussions. She also announces the Bryn Mawr Historic District revitalization effort, the Department of Water Management’s sewer cleaning and lining work, and the closing of the CTA Red‑Purple Modernization Community Office, while reminding neighbors of the property‑tax‑appeal window and a series of holiday events. Additional updates include a participatory‑budgeting session, a delivery‑robot survey, and community safety initiatives such as the Shovel Squad and tree‑trimming schedule.
Ald. Andre Vasquez introduced a budget‑reform package that calls for an independent audit of the Chicago Police Department and bi‑monthly hearings on police‑misconduct settlement trends, aiming to increase oversight of the city’s largest line item. The package also expands data‑transparency requirements for council budget reports to improve fiscal scrutiny. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals were highlighted in this release.
No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes were announced. The 40th Ward Office reports a fatal police‑involved shooting on the 5700 block of N Washtenaw Ave, with the incident under investigation by COPA and the officer involved placed on administrative duties for at least 30 days. Alderperson Andre Vasquez urges residents to contact COPA for information and offers resources for violence support.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that TPS Production Services will film the movie "Tis So Sweet" on December 11, 2025, with parking restrictions on the south side of E Pearson St. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects are announced in this issue. Residents can contact the location managers or the City Film Office for questions.
A police‑involved shooting occurred on the 5700 block of North Washtenaw Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. on December 9, 2025, prompting the 40th Ward office to issue a public‑safety alert. Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward confirmed the incident and will provide updates as they become available. Residents are encouraged to seek support through the Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline, the City’s UnSpoken page, or the NAMI Chicago Helpline for mental‑health assistance.
The newsletter announces the last Youth Leadership Council meeting of 2025, scheduled for today at 3:30 pm in Room 200, and invites members to attend and respond. No zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street‑safety updates are included. The message is a simple reminder and call to action for the council’s final meeting of the year.
Alderman La Spata announced a courtesy public meeting on January 5, 2026 for Federales’ Public Place of Amusement license variation and highlighted ongoing budget discussions, including a property‑tax appeals analyst day on December 17. He emphasized budget priorities—securing funding for library books and domestic‑violence services while debating a community‑safety surcharge, advanced pension payments, and directing bond funds toward infrastructure rather than operating costs. The newsletter also promoted the final week of the 1st Ward holiday gift drive, a wrapping party on December 13, and a holiday‑lights recycling drop‑off.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the city council’s alternative budget proposal—he co‑signed—was rejected by Mayor Johnson, underscoring a key budget decision for the ward. The ward also notes the enforcement of Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban and the municipal ordinance requiring property owners to clear sidewalks, both affecting parking and street safety. Additional updates include the upcoming 18th Police District Council meeting on December 16, the 18th District holiday toy‑drive deadline, and community events such as the Near North Library’s December calendar and the Millennium Park holiday sing‑along.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote on the 2026 People’s Budget, which allocates $1 million for local infrastructure improvements. With nearly 1,700 votes already cast, the goal is to reach 2,000 votes by December 15. Residents can vote online at 40thward.org/PB.
The 49th Ward newsletter contains no updates on zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget matters. It invites residents to RSVP for the 49th Ward Volunteer Holiday Party hosted by Alderwoman Maria Hadden. The event is promoted via a link and contact information for the Community and Communications Outreach Coordinator, Ashley, is provided.
The 49th Ward Youth Leadership Council will hold its final meeting of 2025 tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9 at 3:30 pm in Room 200, where participants can reflect on the year and plan for 2026. The newsletter also highlights youth programs, food resources, and a resilience‑focused document for the current administration. No zoning, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety updates were announced.