Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) sent a public safety update about an ongoing shooting incident on the 4600 block of N. Springfield Ave on July 20, with multiple people shot including a police officer. The 17th District Police are actively responding as of 1:15 p.m., and residents are advised to avoid the area while additional information is requested via CAPS.017District@ChicagoPolice.org or 312.742.4410.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared that the November ballot referendum question on short-term rentals is being explained and that residents can send feedback; the newsletter also highlights the Community Safety Committee meeting and ongoing housing-protection policy themes tied to the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance and community land trusts. Fuentes also announced a CDOT/DWM/CTA-approved street closure for sewer infrastructure work at W Division St and N Spaulding Ave (7am–4pm), with local traffic allowed only. Other items include details for the 12th annual Colombian Fest (with festival road closures and a 5K on Saturday) and general ward updates such as zoning intake procedures, construction-project links, and office/event resource information.

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) shared a special alert about a shooting and homicide near Lincoln Avenue and Webster Avenue, with one person of interest in custody; he notes his office’s push for restrictions on late-night bars along this Lincoln stretch and says the 2200 block will receive additional and permanent weekend patrol. He asks residents to submit any video or information to Chicago Police Area 3 detectives (CAPS) or the 18th District. Other announcements: the newsletter lists 43rd Ward office hours (Mon–Thurs 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–2pm, Sat 10am–12pm).

In the 11th Ward, Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee introduced an alternative ordinance to the Mayor’s proposed rental housing rule changes and noted a budget mid-year hearing where concerns were raised about zero-revenue categories; she also backed TIF funding for The 78 and pushed for public meetings on major stages, including questions about the Wells–Wentworth Connector bike path timeline. The newsletter also highlights upcoming zoning hearings (Aug. 10) and provides ward event updates such as National Night Out (Aug. 4), Chinatown Summer Fair (July 25–26), and Beat 914 (July 29).

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) postponed the “Clean & Green” event originally scheduled for July 19 on Oakley Ave due to an Illinois EPA air quality alert tied to wildfire smoke from Canada. She urged residents to monitor air quality via AirNow.gov, especially people at higher health risk. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions were announced in this message.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) reports holding a Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy hearing on Chicago’s Sustainable Data Centers Report and introducing City ordinance O2026-0027165 to amend the Energy Benchmarking law by requiring annual data centers to report energy and water use transparency. She also notes City Council did not support a deal for the resale of parking meters, and she cleared the “Bird Friendly” design ordinance from the Rules Committee. Other major updates include a July 20 community meeting with Loyola University and the Ignatian Mission Center on the St. Ignatius/Waldorf School redevelopment proposals, plus ward/community reminders like rescheduling her block party town hall to July 23 and upcoming infrastructure meetings and street work.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update focuses on the new Starbucks location at Irving Park and Cumberland, including expected purchase closing by the end of August, finalizing city permits, interior construction shortly after, and a potential October/November opening. The email does not report any zoning, housing, transit, street-safety, or budget hearings/ordinances, and instead shares community items such as a donation option for St. Cyprian Food Pantry and an adoptable-pet highlight (Tamaki).

In the 40th Ward, Alderman Andre Vasquez’s committee held a hearing focused on how CPD is enforcing a January Executive Order directing CPD to investigate and pursue prosecution related to federal agents’ wrongdoing, and CPD announced a new policy encouraging residents to report alleged federal immigration violations. The Committee on Finance also voted to delay approval of Chicago’s proposed parking meter sale to Stonepeak Partners, citing concerns tied to ICE/deportation flight contractor Omni, and the newsletter highlights Council passage of the 40th Ward Environmental Board’s Sustainable Parkways Resolution to expand pollinator gardens and bioswales for flooding and air-quality benefits. Other updates include multiple community rezoning meetings (2648-58 W. Lawrence and 1634 W. Thorndale), ongoing street projects and resurfacing (including Manor Avenue and Lincoln Avenue streetscape), and events such as the cancelled catalytic converter etching event, the 40th Ward Back to School supply drive, and an Electric Vehicle Demo Day on July 19.

Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) reports City Council action this week on housing and related policy, including introducing an alternative rental-housing ordinance to the mayor’s proposal and supporting Alderman Knudsen’s Prediction Markets Ordinance. The Council also passed TIF-backed legislation for the 78 project area/Foundry Park to support the Chicago Fire stadium development and a City-owned ~1,200-space below-grade parking structure, along with street/Metra, river wall, and public open-space improvements. Separately, Waguespack shares public safety updates from July CAPS meetings, including ongoing tap-to-pay scam warnings, and notes the CPD superintendent search process after Superintendent Larry Snelling’s retirement; he also highlights July street repaving/lighting work and upcoming community events like the Roscoe Village Burger Fest and several garden walks.

Alderwoman Angela Clay (46th Ward) reports on neighborhood development and infrastructure: her office is coordinating a July 27 community presentation on a proposed zoning change at 1429 W. Irving Park for a five-story mixed-use building, and the ward is seeing multiple CDOT street resurfacing and an alley reconstruction expected to finish by mid/late August (including Malden/Magnolia/Leland/Lawrence). She also highlights the open community participatory budgeting idea period (through July 31), along with HomeGrown home purchase assistance details and the 46th Ward’s HomeGrown/ARO rental-occupancy application information. Other notable items include a July 25 street naming ceremony honoring Lois Juanita Ellington, a Back to School Bash on August 1 at Clarendon Park, upcoming park advisory council meetings, and reminders about hazardous air quality/heat safety and updated scooter/e-bike guidance.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) reports a Chicago City Council approval of a zoning map amendment at 2739–2743 W Belmont (M1-1 to B2-3) to allow redevelopment into a 3.5-story six-flat, and asks for feedback (until July 24) on a request to lift the tavern-license moratorium for 2924 W Diversey Ave. He also highlights a July 22 regional transportation open house for an ETOD plan around the CTA Belmont/Blue Line station and notes planned water/sewer construction work and Fullerton Avenue resurfacing updates. Other major items include a town hall on the Fair Elections Ordinance (public campaign financing), an Annual Report town hall on Aug. 5, and upcoming community events and ward-office announcements such as Ward Night appointments (Aug. 10) and mural-project applications due Aug. 28.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin reports that City Council unanimously passed his proposal to reduce bottlenecks and speed up the development of 100% affordable housing, and he also notes a vote on the proposed sale of Chicago’s parking meters to Stonepeak Partners was called off and may return in September. He announces plans to hold an open house July 30 to discuss converting an underutilized City-owned parking lot at Lincoln & Berenice in North Center into a public space, and mentions upcoming infrastructure work updates including final layers and restriping on Ashland (by July 22–end of July) and ongoing Western Brown Line and plaza work. Other major items include postponing the July 18 shredding/electronics recycling event due to air quality and encouraging residents to attend Ravenswood On Tap (July 18–19).

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlighted several River North updates rather than zoning or housing meetings: Taste of River North runs today and tomorrow with Wells Street traffic and nearby parking prohibited, and he invited residents to a July 22 ribbon-cutting at Montgomery Ward Park for a resurfaced playground. He also promoted a two-month gunshot detection technology pilot after the city ended ShotSpotter, including a virtual kickoff on August 3. The newsletter adds CAPS meeting dates and a range of upcoming transportation and street closure notices tied to CTA/state projects and construction, plus events like the July 25 Galloway Lecture at Fourth Presbyterian Church.

The 1st Ward alderman’s office postponed tomorrow’s Summer Bike Tune-Up at Palmer Square Park due to dangerous (unhealthy) air quality, and will post a new date at www.the1stward.com/events; residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity and consider wearing an N95/KN95 mask per the Department of Public Health. The newsletter also points readers to Open Air Chicago for more information and lists the 1st Ward office contact details.

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) highlighted supporting the FAIR Ordinance at City Hall to protect renters while expanding housing supply, and also shared ward updates including meetings/visits and a resolution honoring the Shannon Rovers’ 100th anniversary. The newsletter also announced a mask giveaway during an air quality advisory, a lead service line document drive on August 4, and a Back-to-School Summer Bash at Hollywood Park on August 10. Other items include community events and activities such as block parties, the West Walker Garden Walk, Fourth of July parades in Forest Glen, North Mayfair, and Sauganash, and a City/civic honor tied to North Park Village’s July 4 celebration.

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez highlighted CDPH’s new Commissioner, Dr. Garth Walker, and urged residents to limit outdoor activity due to hazardous ozone/wildfire smoke conditions (including mask guidance). She also noted CDOT’s start of seven street renovations, including a raised intersection at Kimball and Ainslie that requires a six-week detour, with related ADA and bike-lane improvements. Other announcements included the upcoming Aug. 1 shredding/electronics recycling event and weekend CTA #92 Foster service extensions, plus Ward updates on Ronan Park, zoning meeting notices for several addresses, and various community resources/volunteer opportunities.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) reports City Council action advancing housing-related measures, including expanding affordable housing opportunities and strengthening renter protections, alongside public safety oversight and community investment. The newsletter also highlights a Protecting Renters Ordinance/tenant protections materials update, and announces upcoming Ward office events and services including Mobile 25th Ward Office Hours, a CPS Benefits “Ward Night,” and a July 25 expungement/sealing workshop. Other major announcements include St. Procopius Church’s 150th anniversary honorary resolution, an August 21 Back to School Block Party with a document shredding/electronics recycling van, and community/weather alerts such as extreme heat and unhealthy air quality plus cooling-center availability.

Alderman Jason C. Ervin’s 28th Ward Weekender newsletter focuses on community events only, with no listed meetings/hearings or policy, zoning, budget, transit, or street-safety items. It highlights multiple July 17–18 activities and resources in the ward, including Cooling Centers and Senior/Community Service center hours, events like Pupapalooza, an Iced Tea Social, several block parties, and “Talk at the Table” on July 18.

Alderman Desmon Yancy reported that tomorrow’s Clean-Up Day at O'Keefe School of Excellence has been postponed due to poor air quality, and he will notify residents when it is rescheduled. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy changes were mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Matthew O’Shea (19th Ward) publicized two community events: a July 18 blood drive at Brother Rice High School (8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) and Marist High School’s fifth annual Southside Summer Festival (4:00–10:00 p.m.) featuring Big Head Todd and the Monsters. The newsletter does not mention zoning, housing, transit, budget actions, ordinances, or development approvals—only event and city/state program information (Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings).