Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Walter Red Burnett’s newsletter mainly promotes Ward Night tonight (05/26/26), inviting residents to attend and meet with him by scanning a QR code. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions are mentioned in this message.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlighted two recent community zoning meetings: a proposal at 3834–3854 S. Ashland to rezone parcels to C1-2 for a shopping center, and a planned support for a 3540 S. Halsted change to C1-2 for a high-end auto repair shop with a cafe; she also announced an upcoming public zoning meeting for 2878 S. Throop. In City Council, she said the city passed a compromise on phasing minimum wage rules for tipped vs. non-tipped workers, and she voted no on an ordinance targeting police members involved in extremist groups due to First Amendment and legal concerns. She also noted ongoing street work and water/sewer/lead service line construction in the ward (including Wentworth and Pershing Road) plus ward events like the June 3 town hall at the Ramova Theater and the Canaryville Library’s 25th birthday.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared highlights from City Hall’s Wednesday City Council meeting, including zoning change approvals (e.g., 1616 N St. Louis, 3521 W Division, 1118 N California, 1749 N Mozart, 3707 W McLean, and 3444 W North Ave) and other policy actions such as the Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance and the creation of a centralized listing portal for affordable housing listings. The newsletter also notes the Peacebook Executive Order establishing year-round youth peacekeeping and a Peacebook Working Group, and reiterates the office’s ongoing housing advocacy for unhoused residents amid limited affordable-housing resources. Other major announcements include a Walk for Peace & Cookout at Humboldt Park, a Peace pop-up in Hermosa on May 27, and the office closing for Memorial Day (reopening May 26).

In Alderman Scott Waguespack’s 32nd Ward newsletter, City Council continued work on major governance items including a review of the parking meter sale/contract and approval of steps to strengthen voter protections; the Council also approved a compromise ordinance that pauses/extends the tipped wage phaseout. Waguespack also highlights local infrastructure and development-related updates: CDOT’s Cortland Street bridge rehabilitation remains closed to vehicles with next steps expected after further engineering review, and the ward has ongoing street/sidewalk and utility projects (including a Greenview water main replacement and upcoming street/alley repaving), plus a start to the Wellington & Oakdale Greenway project. Other announcements include Memorial Day office/cart collection changes, upcoming 2027 budget engagement roundtables, and neighborhood events such as Porchfest Lakeview and Movies in the Park.

The newsletter from 47th Ward Alderman Maggie is about EcoFest at Welles Park on Saturday, May 30, highlighting free drop-in activities including a 11AM exercise class (with RSVP) and 11AM and 1PM guided tree walks, plus bike tune-ups and e-bike test rides. It also notes free Brookfield Zoo and Botanical Garden ticket giveaways at Commissioner Degnen’s booth. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy meetings or votes are mentioned.

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman announced that the 16th Ward service office will be closed on Thursday for Juneteenth. No other zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety actions were mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) reports City Council action on housing and elections: she led passage of the Affordable Housing Portal Pilot to expand access to city-financed affordable housing listings on IllinoisHousingSearch.org, and supported the Mayor’s Rev. Jesse Jackson Defending Democracy Ordinance. She also notes Howard/Paulina area development progress, with an 80-unit affordable housing project receiving final Zoning Committee approval and work planned to begin in September. Other updates include Memorial Day office and refuse/recycling schedule changes, the June 6, 2027 budget engagement roundtable, and community announcements such as new Rogers Park businesses, beach season starting Monday, and several local events (arts fest artist applications, park workdays, and upcoming theater performances).

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) reports City Council passage of the Affordable Housing Portal Pilot (creating IllinoisHousingSearch.org listings for city-financed affordable units and a stakeholder working group) and the Mayor’s Rev. Jesse Jackson Defending Democracy Ordinance (election access protections including mailboxes, anti-doxxing for election workers, and related civil lawsuit/access measures). She also notes Howard/Paulina’s Werner development—a planned 80-unit affordable housing project—received final approval from the Zoning Committee and is set to break ground in September, with a business relocation update for the nearby currency exchange site. Other announcements include Memorial Day office closure and trash/recycling schedule changes, beach season opening, and upcoming ward events such as Budget Engagement Roundtable (June 6) and a Leone Beach Park workday (May 24).

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights City Council housing and zoning actions, including approvals of multiple zoning changes (e.g., RS-1 to RT-4 at 1616 N St. Louis) and adoption of measures like a centralized listing portal for affordable housing. The newsletter also notes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Peacebook Executive Order establishing year-round youth peacekeeping and a Working Group, and mentions a Narcan newsstand harm-reduction pilot. Other major announcements/events include the ALSO Walk for Peace (May 23), a Pop-Up for Peace (May 27), Memorial Day office closure (May 25), and a community input survey for Chicago’s Reparations Study through May 31.

In the 2nd Ward newsletter, Alderman Brian Hopkins shared an update on CDOT’s Cortland Street Bridge rehabilitation, noting ongoing disruption from multiple North Side bridge closures while stating pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. He also reiterated that an ordinance he passed requires CDOT to notify the City Council of non-emergency bridge closures before repairs, and referenced related City Council action on a Jewish American Heritage Month resolution. Other highlights include the holiday office closure and Memorial Day refuse schedule, plus community events such as the Sueños Chicago Music Festival at Grant Park (May 23–24) and Navy Pier’s summer fireworks beginning May 23, along with announcements for local markets, festivals, and a June 2 Lookingglass Theatre event at Seneca Park.

In his 40th Ward newsletter, Ald. Andre Vasquez highlights City Hall budget and policy work affecting housing affordability and public safety, and notes that charges against the Broadview 6 were dropped after evidence of federal prosecutor tampering. He also updates on major ward streetscape and construction items—nearing completion of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape traffic-signal phase (with left-turn restrictions), beginning Manor Avenue resurfacing, and selecting a contractor for the Elise Malary Plaza to start in June, plus ongoing Ashland resurfacing work. Other announcements include the May 25 Memorial Day office closure, a call for People’s Budget project proposals due June 1, volunteer front-desk training on May 29, and several community events such as Memorial Day parade attendance and Chicago Fire Department Camp Courage (June 15–July 29).

In Alderman Scott Waguespack’s 32nd Ward newsletter, he highlights a City Council review of the parking meter deal with Stonepeak and a vote approving a compromise that extends the tipped-wage ordinance phase-out by two years (after a pause). He also notes no major zoning/development decisions were described, but he provides major infrastructure updates including CDOT’s Cortland Street Bridge rehabilitation timeline (bridge closed to vehicles; revised approach expected after June review), upcoming Wellington & Oakdale greenway work for safer bike routes/lower speeds, and a Greenview water main/IEPA drain replacement project. Other updates include CPD CAPS and police meeting recaps, Memorial Day office/cart collection changes, street-sweeping guidance, and community events like 2027 budget engagement roundtables and Movies in the Park; he also mentions the planned closure of sidewalks/vehicle traffic and the community garage sale/Porchfest events.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) reports hosting a Community Development and Zoning meeting for a proposed zoning change at 2739–3743 W. Belmont Avenue for a 6-unit condo building, with public feedback accepted until June 5; he also issued support for a separate Avondale housing proposal at California and Melrose that would add 105 homes (with 21 affordable under the Affordable Requirements Ordinance) after review by the Chicago Plan Commission, with next steps in the Zoning Committee and City Council. The City Council approved an ordinance pausing the next tipped wage increase for larger businesses (and adjusting timelines for smaller restaurants), and Ward updates highlight upcoming CDOT arterial resurfacing on Fullerton and California Avenue, plus active infrastructure work tied to water/sewer replacement on N. St. Louis Ave. Other announcements include Memorial Day office/garbage schedule closures (May 25), volunteer work days at Paseo Prairie Garden, youth program and grant opportunities (including the 2026 ChiArts Grant and CHA “Choose to Own” orientations), and Unity Park events such as Yoga in the Park and Night Beams on May 30.

Anthony Napolitano, Alderman of Chicago’s 41st Ward, did not report any zoning, housing, transit, streets, or budget hearings, ordinances, or development approvals in this newsletter. The main announcements are Memorial Day weekend guidance: residents are encouraged to attend the Norwood Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday at 11:00 a.m., note no garbage/recycling on Monday with delayed service Tuesday–Friday, and the ward office will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday May 26 at 9:00 a.m. Other items include promotions for 41st Ward business outreach, the CHI311 app/CHI311 reporting, and City business webinar and job-resource links.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that the Chicago Park District has completed the resurfacing of Montgomery Ward Park’s playground soft surface using Menu Funds, improving child safety. In City Council action, Reilly voted to freeze the tipped workers’ minimum wage increases (keeping it at $12.62/hour for most restaurants) and the chamber also passed the Jesse Jackson Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance, which adds protections for poll workers and creates a permanent advisory council. Additional items: Reilly introduced resolutions on honoring Sam Sianis and seeking a public referendum for independent legal counsel for City Council, and Council unanimously confirmed Inspector General David Glockner. The newsletter also lists upcoming Memorial Day events, Sueños Music Festival street/sidewalk closures, CAPS meeting dates, and multiple downtown traffic construction closures including State/Lake CTA station reconstruction (State St closed through June 19, 2026) and other utility/bridge work.

Alderwoman Angela Clay (46th Ward) reports that City Council passed her Flexible Heat Ordinance, expanding the “shoulder months” for two-pipe buildings so the required minimum temperature is 64° from April 1 to October 31. She also announces a CDOT-led resurfacing of Sheridan Road (Montrose to Foster, then Foster to Bryn Mawr) with pedestrian safety features, and a virtual neighbor meeting on May 27 about three proposed developments including a by-right 5-story, 19-unit project at 665 W. Sheridan. Other items include updates on the Grace Greenway nearing completion, a new DWM water main project on Racine (Wilson to Broadway), and ward/community events such as Ward Night (June 2), It’s Your Park Day (May 30), and the Back to School Bash (Aug. 1).

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez highlighted community zoning and development work, listing active proposals and noting upcoming/ongoing community meetings and feedback in the ward (including zoning change requests such as B3-1 to B3-3 and RS-3 to RT-4). She also promoted budget engagement for the 2027 city budget through three City roundtables, and discussed housing/support efforts tied to encampment response at Ronan Park. Other major items include Neighbor Nights on June 1 and June 15 (June 15 featuring an MWRD presentation), plus several community announcements such as the Memorial Day message, CARE expansion advocacy, and upcoming local events like Pride and Joy (June 4) and budget/food and other resource opportunities.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) shared a schedule of upcoming constituent events, including a May 27 mobile office hours at the Little Village Branch Library, a June 2 community meeting at the same library, and public health and food safety programming (June 6 Public Health Summit; June 1 CDPH Food Safety Workshop). The newsletter also highlights a public safety alert about a rise in thefts targeting Honda and Acura vehicles and offers resources such as the 25th Ward Constituent Card for complimentary museum admission. Other notable announcements include May 30’s Pilsen Pet Adoption & Resource Fair, June 3’s Job Fair at the Rauner Family YMCA, and information on the Chicago Jumping Jack block party program portal opening April 15.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin’s newsletter highlights City Council action approving his ordinance to improve violent-extremist screening in Chicago Police Department hiring and to strengthen more transparent, accountable investigations following Inspector General concerns. He also passed/introduced measures aimed at reducing red tape for locally owned breweries and distilleries (allowing small indoor ticketed events) and directing the Business Affairs Department to create a one-stop portal for small-business licenses, permits, and inspections. The newsletter also promotes Mayfestiversary (May 23–24) and other community events including the North Center Yard Sale (May 30–31), Porchfest Lakeview (May 31), EcoFest (May 30), and Memorial Day activities at Rosehill Cemetery.

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) reports that Chicago City Council voted to delay the scheduled phaseout of the tipped minimum wage and advanced measures to strengthen voter protections and improve election safeguards, with future budget discussions focused on protecting core city services. The newsletter also highlights ward community events including Officer John Bartholomew’s funeral procession, Solomon Elementary’s Walk, Jog, Roll-a-thon, and school celebrations such as CICS Northtown Academy’s Spring Arts Showcase and Sauganash Elementary’s “Mary Poppins.”