Ald. Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward reports no new zoning, policy, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety actions this month. Residents are invited to the TIF Review Committee on Nov 13 and the ZAB Community Meeting on Nov 15, and can register for the Turkey Giveaway (deadline Nov 14) and two hot‑meal distributions on Nov 18 and 30. Additional community events include a free Art Institute visit on Dec 9 and a Tutoring Chicago volunteer drive.
The 26th Ward newsletter highlights several key community actions: the 2026 city budget survey is now live and a hybrid town‑hall with Mayor Johnson is scheduled for November 8 to discuss budget priorities; the Chicago Board of Education has approved ChiArts as a district‑managed performing‑arts school for 2026‑27, a win for local arts advocacy; and a virtual Crosstown Trail town‑hall is set for November 13 to shape the new trail with a focus on housing protections. In addition, the ward announces the opening of the Emergency Heating Repair Program, a pause in garbage collection for Veterans Day, and a range of food‑assistance and mutual‑aid resources for residents facing federal shutdown‑related hardships.
The 33rd Ward Office reports a surge in ICE‑related incidents and a community fundraiser for a kidnapped neighbor, while urging residents to stay alert and support local businesses. Budget hearings are wrapping up next week, with the office pushing for expanded CARE mental‑health outreach and hiring new staff. Key upcoming events include free flu/COVID shots, an emergency heating repair program, and community gatherings such as the November 10 bonfire and November 19 health screenings.
On November 9, Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward will host a 2026 Budget Town Hall with the Mayor, inviting residents to discuss the city’s proposed budget. The newly‑released 2025 Community Plan outlines over 30 action items in housing, transit and neighborhood amenities, and the ward is coordinating the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing and repainting of rainbow crosswalks to improve street safety. Other highlights include the opening of Dat Donut’s new Lakeview location, the Lakeview East Chamber’s Thanksgiving guide, and Big Ten football games at Wrigley Field.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward invites residents to a virtual meeting on Nov. 20 to discuss a rezoning proposal for vacant lots at 1730‑42 N Clybourn Ave that would allow a 4‑story building with 59 residential units and 18 parking spaces. The meeting will gather community feedback on the development and its zoning changes. No other policy or budget updates are included in this notice.
Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlights three key meetings: a Budget Town Hall with Mayor Johnson on November 8, a Better Streets for Buses Town Hall on December 1, and upcoming CTA/CDOT bus‑priority corridor study sessions. He also reports two development approvals—2240 N. Milwaukee (mixed‑use, 50 units) and 1805 N. Campbell (21‑unit residential)—and notes the budget discussion as a priority for city spending. Other announcements include the reopening of Park #399, the launch of 2026 Residential Daily passes, and a food‑drive effort for families impacted by SNAP cuts.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that he met with CDOT officials and testified at the City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations on Oct. 22 to address traffic congestion from bridge closures, and a special council meeting will be held Nov. 10 to review the city budget. The newsletter also highlights community events, including a Lake Shore and Seneca Parks fall cleanup on Nov. 8, CDPH flu and COVID‑19 vaccine clinics at City Hall on Nov. 5, and resources for SNAP recipients amid the federal shutdown. Additional announcements cover a fall clean‑streets guide, a blood drive, and various local cultural events such as the Lincoln Park Art Night and the RNRA Annual Meeting and Gala.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announces that the television commercial *Sibling Rivalry* will film in Lincoln Park on November 5–6, 2025, with parking restrictions on the south side of W Fullerton Ave, the west side of N Racine Ave, and the east side of N Lakewood Ave. The City of Chicago Film Office will supervise traffic control, and residents can contact the location manager or assistant production supervisor for questions. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned in this newsletter.
The 25th Ward office, led by Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez, will hold a TIF Review Committee meeting on November 6 at 6 p.m. in Dvorak Park to discuss budget‑related financing for local projects. Residents can preregister for the annual Turkey Giveaway by November 14 and seniors are invited to a free Art Institute of Chicago visit on December 9, with pre‑registration required. The newsletter also highlights food‑pantry referrals, immigrant‑rights resources via Chicago PROTECT, and volunteer opportunities with Tutoring Chicago and the Pilsen Rapid Response Network.
The newsletter urges residents to follow the ward’s Facebook and website for upcoming public meetings and input surveys on zoning and development in the 33rd Ward. It also details the 2025 street‑sweeping schedule, pumpkin compost drop‑off, fall‑leaf cleanup guidelines, the new grid‑based tree‑trimming plan, and the launch of the Emergency Heating Repair Program and Homeowner Relief Fund deadline. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez highlights Halloween decoration contest winners, Day of the Dead celebrations, and a calendar of community events—including free flu and COVID vaccines, a Green Corn Festival, and volunteer opportunities—while encouraging support for local businesses and immigrant neighbors.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the ward’s 2025 Community Plan has been finalized and that a zoning change approving a dispensary at 3650 N Clark has been granted, following extensive community input. Street‑safety updates include temporary closures for CTA work on 900 Waveland/Grace, upcoming resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Pine Grove and Briar, the completion of Halsted arterial resurfacing, scheduled tree trimming, and a reminder to report potholes. Other highlights were Halloween festivities, a press conference condemning ICE activity, a Know‑Your‑Rights training for local businesses, and the final Saturday of the Nettelhorst French Market.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports that this week’s City Hall meeting with the Civic Federation focused on the FY 2026 budget proposal, and the public‑safety committee held a session on community resources and ICE response. The ward is reviewing several zoning‑change requests—including 3446 W. North Ave and 1118 N. California—while announcing a permanent northbound lane closure on California Avenue effective Oct. 31. Other highlights include the ASI Health & Workforce Development Center community meeting, the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall on Nov. 19, and a series of community events such as Parents for Peace and Justice’s holiday dinner and the Halloween Trunk‑or‑Treat celebration.
Al Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the office hosted a HUD‑108 meeting on financing for the Congress Theater, is urging residents to complete the 2026 budget survey, and is processing zoning inquiries for several properties, while a lobbying day in Springfield is underway to secure transit revenue for the ward. The newsletter also invites residents to RSVP for all zoning meetings, attend a Know‑Your‑Rights presentation on Nov 4, and participate in Rapid Response and Court‑Watch volunteer opportunities amid heightened ICE activity. Additional community updates include the annual Meet Me on Milwaukee event, pumpkin‑composting reminders, and public‑safety alerts for Halloween.
Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward announced a community meeting on October 30 to discuss the Fisk Coal Plant demolition, a key zoning and development issue for the ward. He also extended the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund deadline and expanded eligibility, a housing‑policy change that could provide $1,000 in one‑time assistance to residents. Additional updates include a State‑of‑the‑Ward presentation, a Trick‑or‑Treat event at the ward office on October 31, and a Day‑of‑the‑Dead altar open for the week.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted a recent budget hearing with CDOT Acting Commissioner Turner, where he questioned funding allocations for infrastructure projects, and referenced his comments on the mayor’s initial budget proposal. The newsletter also covered community events such as the record‑setting Streeterville dog‑Halloween parade, Halloween safety tips, the completion of the Chicago Avenue Underpass mural restoration, and upcoming volunteer opportunities including a Lake Shore and Seneca Parks fall cleanup. Additional updates included reminders about Daylight Saving Time, street‑sweeping schedules, and various local gatherings such as the RNRA Annual Meeting and Halloween trick‑or‑treat in Old Town.
The 1st‑Ward newsletter contains no meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street‑safety projects. It focuses on ICE activity in West Town, urging residents to report sightings, offering Know Your Rights resources, and announcing a workshop for business owners on Nov. 4. Alderman La Spata notes the office will be closed Sept. 27, and encourages residents to register for the workshop and visit the office for signs and volunteer opportunities.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that a television series will film in Old Town from Oct 26‑28 2025, with specific parking restrictions and no‑parking/tow zones on certain streets. The notice details the affected streets and provides contact information for the location manager and the Chicago Film Office. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are announced.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that budget season has begun, with a briefing from the Better Government Association and plans to issue a community survey on proposed taxes. She also highlighted the ward’s zoning intake process, noting current requests for changes at several properties and the upcoming community‑input meetings. Outside of budget and zoning, the newsletter covered a Ward Night at Dope Drip Café, a Senior Wellness Fair at Humboldt Park, and Halloween community events.
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward announced a meeting with local groups to review Mayor Johnson’s proposed budget, stressing a shift of fiscal responsibility away from low‑income residents. She also highlighted the community‑driven zoning review for 3240 W Lawrence Ave (B1‑2 to B2‑5 change request) and the upcoming Participatory Budgeting All‑Community Meeting on Oct. 27. Other key updates include the closure of the Von Steuben Fall Festival, the launch of a rapid‑response volunteer network, and the Halloween Decoration Contest deadline on Oct. 26.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reports that CTA will close Waveland and Grace from Oct 24‑27 for overhead rail construction, and that additional Red Line work will affect access between Addison and Grace through September‑October, impacting transit service. Street‑safety projects include the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing from Clark to Waveland, scheduled resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Briar, and Pine Grove streets, and an alley reconstruction on Waveland and Grace, all of which will involve temporary parking restrictions. Other highlights include a community ICE whistle‑packing event, a new Korean‑fusion bakery opening at 1360 W Belmont, and a series of Halloween celebrations such as the Lakeview East Little Monsters Crawl and the 28th Annual Haunted Halsted Parade.