Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

A searchable database tracking what aldermen communicate to their wards.

Browse through 1192 newsletters

STARTING TODAY: Buses Are Rerouted for the OPC Dedication

Desmon Yancy Ward 5 Relevance: 4/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Desmon Yancy (Ward not specified) announced CTA special-event reroutes beginning June 16 through Sunday, June 14 for the Obama Presidential Center dedication, including service changes affecting Routes 2, 6, 10, 15, 28, 59, 171, 172, and 192, alongside multiple road closures (including portions of 60th, Stony Island, Midway Plaisance, Dorchester, and Woodlawn) for the same period. The newsletter otherwise contains no additional zoning, housing, budget, or street-safety/ordinance items beyond directing residents to transitchicago.com/alerts for details.

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83rd Street Reconstruction Update: Progress Continues

William Hall Ward 6 Relevance: 1/10

SUMMARY

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) provided an update on the 83rd Street reconstruction, noting required underground gas and water infrastructure work is the main reason resurfacing has taken longer, but that the segment from State Street to Cottage Grove will be fully repaved. The newsletter says his office is coordinating with responsible agencies to accelerate remaining utility work and prepare the corridor for full street restoration, with continued progress updates to residents. Other than the construction progress notice, no additional policy, budget, or meeting announcements were included.

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16th Ward Community E-Newsletter

Stephanie Coleman Ward 16 Relevance: 0/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman (16th Ward) mainly advises residents to report city service problems—such as potholes, streetlights, and fly dumping—through 311/chicago.gov or the CHI311 app; the newsletter does not include any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy/ordinance actions. Other listed items are general ward service resources and “Community Events,” including an “Ice-Free Zone Digital Sign” educational opportunity and various business, senior, and veteran resources.

PLEASE READ!!!! Parade Street Closures and Festivities

Jessie Fuentes Ward 26 Relevance: 0/10

SUMMARY

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared information on Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade street closures and parking guidance from the Chicago Police Department’s 14th District, urging residents to plan ahead to avoid tickets or towing. The newsletter also directs readers to Chicago public health reproductive justice resources and provides general assistance instructions for submitting city service requests via 311 or her office. Other updates include announcements for 26th Ward office events/updates, youth resources, community events, public notices, and job/training opportunities.

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40th Forward #343, June 4th 2026

Andre Vasquez Ward 40 Relevance: 5/10

SUMMARY

In the 40th Ward, Alderman Andre Vasquez’s newsletter highlights zoning meetings including a June 16 virtual community meeting on rezoning 4949 N Western Ave from B3-3 to B2-3 for a five-story residential building, and notes the 40th Ward office will not support a proposed rezoning for 5115 N Ravenswood (N Family School) or a special use permit for 5155–53 N Oakley (Step 3 Sober Living). It also covers major infrastructure/street work: ongoing Lincoln Avenue streetscape work with a new traffic light coming online and lane changes, plus Manor Avenue resurfacing (Lawrence to Montrose) and Ashland Avenue resurfacing (Montrose to Foster). Other announcements include the June 18 groundbreaking for the Elise Malary Plaza and Pride Month events like the opening of “Be Seen, Be Proud” (June 13) and his live interview at Is/Was Brewing on Sunday.

zoning_or_development_meeting_or_approval city_budget

2nd Ward Newsletter: Mag Mile Public Art Installations, 1901 Project Groundbreaking, Wells St Art Fair Information

Brian Hopkins Ward 2 Relevance: 6/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlights ongoing infrastructure work and pedestrian-safety improvements, including Division St streetscape upgrades, Southport/Belden intersection reconstruction, and funded rapid flashing beacon installations at LaSalle/Delaware and LaSalle/Burton; he also notes weekend transit disruptions with CTA Red Line track work through Monday, June 22. He announces key dates and impacts in the ward such as planned IDOT weekend ramp closures (June 12, June 26, July 17, with a July 24 backup) and temporary Old Town parking restrictions for the Wells Street Art Festival (June 13–14). Other major announcements include participation in the 1901 Project groundbreaking ceremony at the United Center and the debut of Mag Mile public art installations (“Moments of Stillness”) running through November 2026, plus the June 24 “Get Behind the Vest” fundraiser and several community events (e.g., SOAR Farmers Market ribbon-cutting on June 16 and Summer Story Time on June 11).

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15th Ward E-Newsletter

Raymond Lopez Ward 15 Relevance: 1/10

SUMMARY

The 15th Ward newsletter focuses on summer youth employment, highlighting that the ward office will host 15 participants (with 95% from within the ward’s six communities) to work on real-world activities in the office and in the neighborhood streets. It does not mention any specific zoning, development, transit, housing, budget, or ordinance meetings or approvals, and instead lists local service updates like debris cleanup, tree trimming/trim removal, a sewer repair, and other community events. Other announcements include a request to report criminal activity (call 911, then notify the 15th Ward office), a dog rescued at 41st/Oakley, city hall memorial/delegation items, and information about the city’s food scrap drop-off program and local summer programming.

Reminder: The Community is Coming Together

Desmon Yancy Ward 5 Relevance: 0/10

SUMMARY

In a newsletter from Alderman Desmon Yancy (5th Ward), he highlights upcoming community safety discussions, including a Hyde Park community safety meeting and encouragement to attend the Beat 235 CAPS Community Policing meeting. The first major effort is a “Convergence” involving the Chicago Police Department, Mayor’s Youth Commission, University of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and other partners to address recent teen violence near 57th Street Beach. The newsletter also promotes summer teen activity resources through the Chicago Park District and a South Shore Cultural Center Park Advisory Council community party on June 12.

Update on Shooting on 600 Block of Belden

Timmy Knudsen Ward 43 Relevance: 1/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) reports that Chicago Police Department determined the June 7 shooting near Lincoln & Belden was an isolated incident linked to an altercation after a bar, and the investigation remains open; the victim is in critical condition and CPD says there is no ongoing public safety threat. Knudsen says his office has been urging city departments—including BACP and CPD—to tighten nightlife rules along this corridor to prevent similar incidents, and shares CPD Area Three tip contact information for any further leads. No zoning, transit, budget, or street safety meetings/hearings or other major policy actions are described; the newsletter also lists office hours and general contact/social links.

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OPC Street Closures Start TODAY!

Desmon Yancy Ward 5 Relevance: 0/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Desmon Yancy (5th Ward) notified residents that Chicago Police Department street closures begin today (OPC Street Closures Start TODAY!). He also encouraged attendance at the Beat 235 CAPS Community Policing meeting next week on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53rd St.), and directed residents to share solutions related to teen gatherings, referencing his Chicago Tribune op-ed.

In Case You Missed It: Parade Season Is Here, Ward Clean-Up, Historic Flag PR Raising and Congratulations to Our Grads

Jessie Fuentes Ward 26 Relevance: 4/10

SUMMARY

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlighted the prior month’s Zoning Advisory Committee presentations for proposed developments at 3208–3216 W. Armitage and 4870–4874 W. Armitage, which would add new (including affordable) housing in the ward. The newsletter also notes Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade transit impacts, including Division (#70) bus rerouting, and promotes community safety coordination ahead of summer events. Other items include Ward clean-up sign-ups (“Clean the Block Club”), a Humboldt Park Town Hall on June 8, and congratulations to all 26th Ward graduates.

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11th Ward Newsletter - June 7, 2026

Nicole Lee Ward 11 Relevance: 7/10

SUMMARY

In the 11th Ward newsletter, Alderman Nicole T. Lee highlights ongoing CDOT work and street safety efforts, including a plan to expand protected bike lanes on 35th Street via the Smart Streets program (from Halsted to Ashland, still in planning) and a commissioned traffic study for traffic calming/possible greenway options; she also notes safety-focused Smart Streets/traffic improvements like curb bumpouts and speed cameras. She reports that City Council committee meetings scheduled for June 3 (ShotSpotter and a proposed transfer of the city’s parking meter agreement) were cancelled, and she summarizes discussion at the Ramova quarterly meeting on infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and a process for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) with a goal of having it in place by fall. Other major items include Pride Month and upcoming events (including movies in the park and Flag Day), plus ward updates on zoning at 2878 S. Throop with feedback accepted until June 22 and information on upcoming constituent office hours and workshops.

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Reminder: 45th Ward News and Community Updates

Jim Gardner Ward 45 Relevance: 1/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter focuses on summer safety reminders and ongoing Chicago Police investigation efforts tied to a criminal sexual assault case in Portage Park; it also promotes local community events, including a “Support the Police Rally.” It also directs residents to resources for infrastructure help (via the ward office and ChiStreetWork) and provides ward beat meeting dates for public safety updates. Other major items are citywide/civic announcements such as Illinois lawmakers approving a bill limiting students’ cell phone use in class, and a local business/community support roundup (e.g., YMCA free memberships for teens, a church repurposing proposal for a new high school, and a food pantry relocation).

Special Alert: Shooting 600 Block of W Belden Ave

Timmy Knudsen Ward 43 Relevance: 0/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) sent a special alert about a shooting on the 600 block of W Belden Ave reported around 4:00am on June 7, 2026. The victim, a 39-year-old woman, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and remains in critical condition; Knudsen’s office says it is coordinating with Chicago Police Department detectives and has arranged additional patrols, urging tips via Area 3 detectives. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions.

Celebrate the Groundbreaking of Elise Malary Plaza!

Andre Vasquez Ward 40 Relevance: 4/10

SUMMARY

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) announced a groundbreaking for Andersonville’s first pedestrian plaza, Elise Malary Plaza, beginning construction this month. The event is Thursday, June 18 at 12pm at Catalpa and Ashland, marking plans to turn Catalpa Avenue into a public gathering space and support the Andersonville Farmer’s Market. Other than this event invitation, the newsletter mainly includes links to project information and regular 40th Ward office hours/Ward Night.

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49th Ward Update: June 6th, 2026

Maria Hadden Ward 49 Relevance: 3/10

SUMMARY

In her 49th Ward newsletter, Alderwoman Maria Hadden highlights city-related updates including CDOT residential street lighting work on parts of Chase and Paulina, tree trimming on N Lakewood Ave, construction at Kilmer Elementary’s nature play area (with temporary parking restrictions), and CDOT/previously completed intersection improvements tied to the Joyce Kilmer Triangle Monument. She also notes budget-related public input opportunities, including the city’s 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtable at Harry S. Truman College on June 6. Other major items include the Glenwood Sunday Market returning June 7, beach season opening (with Howard Street Beach closed indefinitely), and multiple community events and services such as SNAP work-requirement changes and HomeGrown homebuyer grant applications opening June 8.

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Reminder: Alderman Nicholas Sposato's 38th Ward Update

Nicholas Sposato Ward 38 Relevance: 1/10

SUMMARY

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update (June 4) mainly focuses on community items and resources, including a reminder to congratulate local graduates, donate to the St. Cyprian Food Pantry, and information about adopting/rescuing pets. It does not report any zoning/development, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety hearings or policy/ordinance actions, and includes only general street-safety messaging (a free “slow down” sign pick-up at the 38th Ward office) plus announcements about local business support and job openings.

Reminder: 6th Ward Community Meeting Today at 9am

William Hall Ward 6 Relevance: 2/10

SUMMARY

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) reminded residents about the 6th Ward Community-Wide Meeting today at St. James Community Church, with a Constituent Hour at 9:00 AM and the community meeting at 10:00 AM. The agenda will include the Summer Safety Plan and CDOT updates, along with upcoming community events and opportunities. No zoning, development, housing, transit, budget votes, or street redesigns were mentioned in this reminder.

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40th Forward #343, June 4th 2026

Andre Vasquez Ward 40 Relevance: 6/10

SUMMARY

In Alderman Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward update, he highlights zoning and development activity: a virtual hearing on June 16 to discuss rezoning 4949 N Western Ave (B3-3 to B2-3) for a new five-story residence; the 40th Ward office will not support a proposed daycare rezoning at 5115 N Ravenswood; and Vasquez will not support a special use permit at 5155–53 N Oakley, forwarding the community’s objections to the Zoning Board of Appeals. For transportation and infrastructure, the newsletter covers ongoing/near-complete work on the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape (including a new traffic signal and changes to left turns), Manor Avenue resurfacing from Lawrence to Montrose, and Ashland Avenue resurfacing. Other major announcements include Pride Month events (including the June 13 opening of “Be Seen, Be Proud”), the June 18 groundbreaking for the Elise Malary Plaza, a 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtable with Mayor Brandon Johnson on June 6, and various community and public-safety updates (including guidance on airbag theft prevention).

zoning_or_development_meeting_or_approval city_budget

Parade Season Is Here, Ward Clean-Up, Historic Flag PR Raising and Congratulations to Our Grads

Jessie Fuentes Ward 26 Relevance: 5/10

SUMMARY

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlighted the first Puerto Rican flag-raising at Daley Plaza and discussed a Zoning Advisory Committee recap on two proposed developments at 3208–3216 W. Armitage and 4870–4874 W. Armitage that would add affordable housing. The newsletter also promoted community safety efforts ahead of summer events, including a Humboldt Park town hall (June 8) and invited residents to volunteer for a new “Clean the Block Club.” Other key items included Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade street-closure and bus-reroute information (including Division/Route 70 changes) and general office/community announcements like resources, construction project updates, and congratulations to all graduates.

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