Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

In the 2nd Ward newsletter, Alderman Brian Hopkins highlights housing and infrastructure work, including new affordable units with 26 affordable apartments now accepting applications at Inside Info Fremont (1529 N Fremont St) and ongoing street/streetscape projects such as Division Street Streetscape (with weekly public review meetings) and resurfacing/intersection safety improvements. He also discusses a proposed effort to revoke City Landmark status for the Cortland Bridge to enable its replacement, and provides a NASCAR update saying the Chicago Street Race will move to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet for 2027. Other major items include a reminder for the Aug. 25 18th Police District Council meeting (and CCPSA Police Superintendent search listening session on Aug. 25), upcoming ward document shredding/e-waste events (Aug. 30, Sept. 13, Sept. 20), and event recaps for Bike the 2nd Ward and Movies in the Park (Mary Poppins).

10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico’s newsletter focuses on a free services fair for older adults on Wednesday, August 26 (10 AM–1 PM) at the Welcome Center, 8550 S. Green Bay Ave., covering benefits, property tax exemptions, transportation, utility assistance, and housing resources. The email does not mention any zoning, housing/transit policy changes, development approvals, or budget/street safety decisions. It mainly provides registration links and directs residents to contact the 10th Ward office for future newsletter events.

In the 27th Ward newsletter, Alderman Walter Redmond Burnett focuses on a city License Committee decision not to ban video gaming terminals (VGTs) in wards and argues that the city’s reliance on VGT revenue has created budget and pension risks; he cites slowed Bally’s River West casino construction and the impact on expected casino-related funding. He also reiterates his effort to “return this authority to the alderman” to control vice policy at the ward level. Other announcements/events were not provided in the newsletter text beyond referencing the full newsletter link and contact/opt-out information.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) did not report any zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings/hearings or policy/ordinance actions in this newsletter. The main announcement is outdoor office hours with a free ice cream social at Rogers Park (north end by Rockwell Ave) on Tuesday, August 25 from 4:30–6:00 PM. Other notes: the newsletter highlights this as the last summer open office event and invites residents to check 50thward.org/summer for additional local events.

Alderman Desmon Yancy (5th Ward) is asking City Council to consider whether the Chicago Noise Ordinance should be repealed or more strictly enforced, highlighting potential $300–$1,000 fines and health impacts from excessively loud music or modified mufflers. The newsletter also promotes disaster loan outreach for July 27 storm damage (SBA low-interest loans with centers open through Sept. 3) and City CERT training registration for Fall 2026. It further shares community events and resources in the Fifth Ward, including Farmers’ Market hour expansions, free health screenings, upcoming garden and fitness/walk programs around the Obama Presidential Center and Obama Center partners, and free museum days for Illinois residents.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) addressed concerns about an Amtrak proposal using federal funding to build a new 24/7 rail maintenance facility at the Union Pacific Canal Yard (between Lots C and G at Sox Park). She reports that two community meetings were held, asks Amtrak to postpone the second meeting for more answers, has requested a legal review of the deal, and has sought the full DOT grant proposal; she also raised concerns about potential impacts on future development along 35th Street and reiterated opposition to moving the White Sox from 35th and Shields. In other updates, Lee’s newsletter previews upcoming City Council committee meetings (Finance Sept. 14; Economic, Capital, and Technology Development Sept. 15; full Council Sept. 23), notes street repaving and construction/closure schedules, and highlights upcoming ward events including an Amtrak community meeting at Pui Tak Center (Aug. 26) and CPD charity games at Sox Park (Aug. 27 and Aug. 28).

Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) highlights transportation and zoning-related issues, including CDOT’s extended closure of the Cortland Street Bridge with the prospect of replacement and a call to remove its landmark status, plus an early-September City Council hearing pushing Bally’s to address financing plans. The newsletter also summarizes new Illinois state legislation governing e-bikes and e-scooters (potentially taking effect Jan. 1, 2027) and gives local reminders for school safety, street sweeping, and CAPS meetings in the 14th and 19th districts, along with neighborhood crime/theft updates. Other announcements include a diaper drive with Share Our Spare through Sept. 20, a ribbon cutting and grand opening for Fortitude Gym (Aug. 29), and multiple upcoming community/downtown events such as Lakeview Taco Fest and CERT training registration for Fall 2026.

In Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s 49th Ward update, the main policy/development items include a community survey about a proposed St. Ignatius Campus redevelopment at 6555–6559 N. Glenwood and 1300–1320 W. Loyola, which includes zoning changes (RS-3 to RM-5.5) and a special use permit, with feedback due by Aug. 23. The newsletter also highlights major infrastructure work: a new water main on Estes (Ridge to Clark) with partial lane closures starting Aug. 11, and ongoing Loyola Avenue construction tied to the 1123 W. Loyola Nursing/Science Center, plus a temporary relocation of a Divvy station during telecom work. Other major announcements/events include the Aug. 22 return of Chalk Howard Street and Jarvis Square Artisan Market, the new Kilmer playground unveiling, and storm-related city survey requests and relief/loan resources, alongside general back-to-school and library/event programming.

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez highlights upcoming community meetings on proactive rental inspections (PRI) across the city (Aug. 25, 27, and 29) and a liquor moratorium community meeting on Aug. 26 regarding a proposal tied to 3451 W Montrose Ave. The newsletter also points to zoning/transit engagement via a Belmont Blue Line ETOD (transit-oriented development) survey (open through Aug. 31). Other major updates include ongoing street safety/infrastructure work: resurfacing with pedestrian improvements on North California Ave (Aug. 10–Sept. 30) and a Kimball & Ainslie raised intersection project reopening for school, plus donation drives/events like back-to-school backpack giveaways and a Neighbor Night on Aug. 24.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) recapped a Logan Square Town Hall and a zoning community meeting, including a proposed redevelopment at 3208–16 W. Armitage (5-story, 38 units with 11 affordable units) and a reminder that the 26th Ward’s community-led zoning intake/feedback process remains open through Oct. 1. The newsletter also highlights participatory budgeting being open for ideas, urges residents to report suspicious activity at the Humboldt Park site slated for 103 affordable homes, and shares a range of city/process updates and resources. Other major items include a GoFundMe support effort for the Alvarez family after a devastating fire, free mobile mammogram screenings at the Humboldt Park Boathouse (Aug. 24–Sept. 4, excluding weekends), a reminder about free CTA rides on the first day of school, and storm-related support for lost groceries plus property tax appeal prefiling after storm damage.

Alderwoman Angela Clay (46th Ward) highlights upcoming community meetings on zoning/development—especially a virtual meeting Thursday, August 27 about a proposed zoning change at 4531 N. Clark—and notes a City Council ordinance creating a working group to examine proactive rental inspections, with a North Side community meeting on Saturday, August 29 at Truman College (10:00–11:30 AM). The newsletter also outlines transportation and infrastructure updates, including an 8/23 CTA #78 route change, plus ongoing CDOT/CDOT-related street resurfacing and streetlight projects (e.g., Sheridan Road safety/paving work and new streetlights on Sheridan and Beacon). Other major announcements include Edna Johnson honorary street naming on Saturday, August 29, Ward Night Out on Monday, August 31, heat-safety reminders, and weekend event guidance for the Chicago Triathlon (with lakefront street closures) and Taco Fest on Southport.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) announced upcoming City community engagement meetings on a proactive rental inspection program (Aug. 25 at 1900 W. Jackson; Aug. 27 at 6301 S. Halsted; Aug. 29 at 1145 W. Wilson) and noted staff help at the Board of Review office for property tax pre-filing (Aug. 26). He also referenced housing policy advocacy for the Protecting Renters Ordinance and several zoning/development items, including a request to lift a liquor moratorium for a new taproom at 3658 W. Wrightwood and a follow-up on a zoning map amendment proposal at 3019–3021 W. Belmont. Other updates include Ward Nights (Aug. 24 and Sept. 14), a Belmont Blue Line ETOD study survey (through Aug. 31), road and utility work updates (including Waveland Ave sewer installation and Fullerton Ave resurfacing), and upcoming community events such as Paradise Garden Logan Square’s open mic and teen horror film night, plus the St. Hyacinth Basilica Parish Festival this weekend.

In Alderman Scott Waguespack’s 32nd Ward newsletter, he flags a major ongoing zoning/development-and-transportation issue: the Cortland Street Bridge will remain closed longer than expected and CDOT says it requires a multi-year effort, while Waguespack is pushing to remove the bridge’s landmark status to enable replacement. He also notes City Council members are calling for an early-September hearing requiring Bally’s staff to explain how they will finish the casino amid financing problems, and summarizes new Illinois statewide e-bike/e-scooter legislation that would preempt many municipal rules (effective Jan. 1, 2027). Other major items include a 32nd Ward diaper drive with Share Our Spare (through Sept. 20), CAPS updates for the 14th and 19th districts, reminders on street sweeping schedules and school-area safety, and weekend events such as Lakeview Taco Fest and several major downtown concerts and festivals.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) announced two downtown retail openings—the JPMorganChase Financial Center at 830 North Michigan Avenue (Aug. 17) and a Barnes & Noble at 150 North State Street (Aug. 19)—highlighting new jobs and investment in the ward and efforts to reduce downtown retail vacancies. The newsletter also lists upcoming local construction and street/transportation impacts, including a lane closure for work on the Wells Street Bridge (Aug. 27), start of CIPP sewer rehabilitation with “no parking” areas, CDOT resurfacing on several streets, and ongoing CTA/road closures tied to State/Lake CTA station and other projects, plus a temporary CTA #22 stop change through Oct. 2026. Other major announcements include an El Grito Fest Chicago community information meeting on Zoom (Aug. 24) and the Chicago Triathlon returning downtown on Aug. 23.

This newsletter contains a thank-you note from Friends of Ronnie Mosley for attending an event; it does not mention any alderman by name or any meetings/hearings, policy/ordinance changes, development approvals, budget decisions, long-term transit changes, or street safety projects. Other than the event appreciation message, the only additional information is the email’s copyright and mailing details.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin’s newsletter focuses on upcoming community and citywide sessions, including a Town Hall on proactive rental inspections (Aug. 27) and a Safety Meeting on the search for the next Police Superintendent (Aug. 26). It also shares practical neighborhood updates—Cook County’s release of 2025 second-installment property tax bills due Oct. 1 (online, mail, or at banks) and a deadline to apply for SBA storm-damage loans by Sept. 8—along with notes on city construction such as Western Brown Line bus return (Aug. 23) and pending Ashland raised crosswalk/bus pad work. Other major announcements include the Thirsty Ears classical street music festival (Aug. 22–23), Shakespeare in the Park (Aug. 22), and Shredding Day (Sept. 19), plus several neighborhood events listed throughout August and September (e.g., Oktoberfest, Dog Days, and Bike the Drive).

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) highlighted the signing of Senate Bill 3925, which creates reimbursement programs for flood-related homeowner costs, and reminded residents not to rake or blow leaves into the street to prevent storm-drain clogging. The newsletter also notes the “Ken Fowler Way” honorary street dedication on the 5800 block of N. Kenton Ave., along with a Back to School Summer Bash at Hollywood Park that distributed 200+ backpacks and included health services. Other updates include scholarship opportunities from the VFW, community market links, and city announcements such as hiring/interview scheduling for transportation-related construction programs and information sessions for District Councilor elections.

In Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, he highlights People’s Budget work—cutting the ribbon on new accessible playground equipment at Chappell Elementary—and invites residents to a Policy Town Hall on Aug. 31 covering issues including affordable housing, transit, and the city budget. The newsletter also notes rezoning feedback windows for 1634 W. Thorndale (due Aug. 25) and 4949 N. Western Ave (due Aug. 26) and describes ongoing street work and safety/traffic changes, including the permanent closure for construction of Elise Malary Plaza and upcoming raised crosswalks in the 47th Ward affecting traffic in the area. Other major updates include citywide park participatory budgeting voting for $500,000 in park capital projects, community events such as an Aug. 29 Pure Barre pop-up and West Ridge Cleanup, and a request for public input on the CPD superintendent search.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale’s newsletter primarily delivers a back-to-school welcome to 9th Ward students and families, wishing them success for the new school year and encouraging community support. No zoning/development, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy changes are mentioned in this email; only that Park District programming/events are listed as upcoming items.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) announced multiple community meetings this week, including in-person CAPS sessions for Beats 2413 and 1711, plus an outdoor office hours and ice cream social on August 25 at Rogers Park. The newsletter also listed local public updates and events (e.g., the Aug. 23 India Independence Day parade with street closures/parking restrictions and the Aug. 30 Arts on Devon festival), and noted that a planned property tax appeal event was canceled while residents can still file Rogers Park Township appeals online through Sept. 1.