Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) highlighted City Council action approving landmark protections for the Roger Brown home/studio and two DePaul buildings (Byrne Hall and Cortelyou Commons), as well as approval of a citywide affordable housing pilot program with an online renter database. The newsletter also notes ongoing 43rd Ward involvement in the Francis W. Parker school expansion/field lighting proposal (including publishing 620 feedback responses) and continued pressure over ComEd’s proposed 1111 W. Diversey Parkway substation zoning classification and permit review. Other updates include Memorial Day office/garbage schedule notices and community events such as North Pond Restaurant’s “Seedlings” giveaway and Lincoln Park High School’s Class of 2026 graduation.

In Alderman Pat Dowell’s 3rd Ward newsletter, he explains his “no” vote on a City Council ordinance related to restricting extremist activity by police officers, saying the final version narrowed accountability too much and he wants a comprehensive standard for all city government employees. The newsletter also promotes Alderman Dowell’s 2027 City budget engagement roundtables (June 3, June 6, and June 16) and provides an update on sewer improvement work on Pershing Rd. from Giles Ave. to Cottage Grove Ave., including upcoming traffic control beginning May 26 and expected completion by end of June 2026. It additionally notes the South Loop Farmers Market will run May 23–Oct. 31 (with closures July 4 and Sept. 12).

Alderman of the 34th Ward reports on May City Council actions including approving David Glockner as Inspector General, expanding the Canal–Congress TIF to include the Greyhound Station, and supporting the Rev. Jesse Jackson Fair Access to Democracy ordinance and a ban on police officers tied to extremist groups. The newsletter also notes housing/development progress (landmark approval for the adaptive reuse of 30 N. LaSalle to create 349 apartments) and city safety/governance votes, along with ongoing transit and street projects affecting the ward (including CTA State/Lake station reconstruction and multiple CDOT bridge works). Other major updates include Memorial Day closures/activities, local events like the Fulton River District mural meet-and-greet and the Sueños festival with related street/sidewalk closures, the opening of the Mary Bartelme Park playground, and reminders about upcoming CAPS meetings and ward infrastructure resurfacing/sidewalk work.

The newsletter from the 15th Ward focuses on two fatal violence incidents in Canaryville (Officer Kevin Mangan attacked) and West Englewood (an arson on S. Paulina St.), urges residents to report suspicious activity, and shares several city items including a Property Tax Rebate Program (O2026-0025479), a TIF Neighborhood Improvement Program (O2026-0025481), and “Protecting Places of Worship” (O2026-0025456). It also notes ward-level actions like a new stop sign at 51st/Washenaw and mentions Memorial Day events including a wreath laying ceremony at Daley Plaza (May 23, 11 a.m.) and a Dearborn St. parade (May 23, 12 p.m.). Other announcements include applications for youth summer internships and additional neighborhood services/cleanup updates.

10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico’s newsletter does not report any zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety hearings/ordinances or specific development approvals; it mainly shares links for registering events and community resources. It also promotes general outreach and social media channels for Alderman Chico (rebuildingtogether-chi.com, food pantry finder, and ward10@cityofchicago.org for submitting events).

Alderman Jason C. Ervin’s 28th Ward Weekender contains no reported zoning/development/housing/transit/budget meetings, ordinances, development approvals, or long-term transit/street-safety actions. It focuses instead on ward and citywide announcements, including the Memorial Day garbage schedule (no pickup Monday, May 25) and upcoming community events such as the Mental Health Summit (May 23), Peace Pop-Up (May 22), and Rock the Block Glow-Up (May 22), plus a citywide CARE mental health response update and a Reparations Taskforce survey deadline of May 31, 2026.

Alderman Walter “Red” Burnett (27th Ward) reports that two major City Council items advanced with broad support: the United Center 7b tax incentive tied to the 1901 Project (including infrastructure/pubic improvements) and a compromise One Fair Wage ordinance that freezes the tipped-credit structure for two years while keeping Chicago on a path toward full minimum wage. He also emphasizes his push for community workforce/community hiring and neighborhood investment alongside development, and for policy adjustments based on data rather than ideology.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman (16th Ward) shared the service-request reminder for reporting city issues (e.g., street lights out, fly dumping, and other City services) via 311, and directed residents to contact her office for assistance. The newsletter primarily contains office information and does not mention any specific zoning/development, housing, transit, budget/policy actions, or street-safety projects. Other than the service-request guidance, no major events or announcements were included.

21st Ward Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley’s May 2026 newsletter highlights the 21st Ward Monthly Townhall at the Woodson Regional Library (9525 S. Halsted), scheduled for May 23, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with special guests to discuss city services, council matters, and ward developments. No specific zoning, housing, transit, or budget actions, ordinances, or development approvals are mentioned in the newsletter beyond the townhall announcement and general information about staying informed.

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) is reminding residents that there will be no city garbage or recycling collection on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, with collection resuming Tuesday, May 26. Other than holiday scheduling information, the newsletter highlights state and community items such as Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings and applications for Chicago Youth Works (deadline May 29).

Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) highlighted progress on the zoning front, saying the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards cleared the zoning backlog after a second May meeting. He also supported the Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) Ordinance to create a citywide online hub for affordable housing options, introduced ordinances to strengthen penalties around auto airbag theft, and submitted a resolution honoring Chief William “Wil” Betancourt. Other updates include Memorial Day–related trash/recycling pickup schedule and office closures, along with upcoming events such as the Cook County Job Fair (May 27), Vet Connect (June 2 and 16), and a car seat check-up (June 9).

No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings/hearings or related ordinances are mentioned in this edition from Alderman Jim Gardiner (45th Ward). The main time-sensitive items are the rescheduling of the “Support the Police Rally” to Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m., and funeral-related traffic changes on Milwaukee Avenue (Devon to Elston) due to the announced services for Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M. Decker. Other notable updates include Memorial Day office closure for the ward office on Monday, May 25 (no garbage service that day) and links/resources for ward assistance, beat meeting dates, and business/community grant and webinar deadlines.

In Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth’s 48th Ward newsletter, the major items include upcoming community meetings on the Broadway Pedestrian Refuge Island project and the Sheridan resurfacing plan, plus ongoing/near-term infrastructure work like the $2.8M Bryn Mawr & Sheridan water main replacement. The newsletter also notes housing and development policy actions: 1527 W Edgewater’s zoning change (RS-3 to RM-4.5) passed City Council, and residents are invited to submit feedback on a proposed zoning change at 4940–42 N Sheridan (B3-2 to B2-3) to convert vacant retail to housing. Other announcements/events include the Citywide expansion of the CARE mental health response program, restoration of Chicago’s Department of the Environment, and multiple community events such as a May 22 street-naming ceremony for “Lori Cannon Way,” a May 28 redevelopment meeting for the Emanuel Congregation/Fern Hill project, and a May 29 library film screening of “TURA!”.

In the 44th Ward newsletter, Alderman Bennett Lawson reports that City Council passed the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance and a measure banning CPD officers with ties to far-right extremist groups, and he introduced two new ordinances expanding Pedestrian Street designations along Clark and Belmont and allowing gas stations to add up to six EV charging spaces without a Special Use. He also highlights Greenway work, noting the Grace Greenway is complete and the revised Wellington/Oakdale Greenway proposal is under review for feedback. Other major updates include Memorial Day weekend street closures for the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival (May 22–24) and the WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade (May 25), plus holiday office hours/closures and 311/pothole, Divvy/e-scooter reporting, and recycling schedule reminders.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) reports introducing a City Council resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and co-sponsoring a resolution honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; she also hosted Rogers Park Township property tax appeal outreach with the Cook County Assessor’s Office, noting residents can still file appeals online until June 1. The newsletter does not describe specific zoning/development approvals, transit service/funding changes, budget votes, or major street safety/redesign projects. Other items include Memorial Day observances and the Chicago Memorial Day Parade, plus upcoming 50th Ward summer and community events (including an outdoor office hours/ice cream social on June 4) and summer youth job applications now open.

Alderman Tabares (23rd Ward) announced new Saturday office hours and canvassed support for an artificial turf field at Madigan Sr. Park, while also participating in a discussion with Hubbard High School on improving public safety and voting no on a measure that singled out police. He also called for a City Hall hearing with Cook County court leaders on outstanding warrants (orders of protection and electronic monitoring) and highlighted the City Council honoring the Hubbard High School JROTC team, plus an EMS week award ceremony at Engine 88. Other updates included publicity about the violence against women work he discussed with media outlets and references to city/regional coverage about the opening of a new ward office in Garfield Ridge and questions over a gunshot detection contract.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update focuses on Memorial Day office closures (the 38th Ward Public Service Office closing at 3:00pm May 22 and closed May 25, reopening May 26 at 9am) and a refuse collection change (no black/blue cart collection on May 25, resuming May 26). The newsletter also notes the “Support the Police Rally” has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm due to Firefighter Steven Decker’s funeral arrangements, and includes a reminder about ensuring refuse carts are accessible until serviced. Other items are community announcements (e.g., donations for St. Cyprian Food Pantry) plus job listings and local business/shelter information.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale’s newsletter contains a single announcement: “Shredding Tomorrow,” encouraging residents to attend, with no additional details on zoning, housing, transit, budget, or policy changes. No other major events or official actions are mentioned.

Alderman Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) promoted several community events and employment/youth programs, including the May 21, 2026 NextGen Career Expo, the CityArts program with a June 3, 2026 application deadline, and Summer Day Camp running June 22–July 31. The newsletter also highlights “It’s Your Park Day” on May 30, a Mental Health Summit on May 23, and multiple boxing/open-mic and career/job fair events in late May. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy/hearing items were mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) is promoting the 6th Ward Career & Job Fair on Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Shine Bright Community Center (8560 S. Cottage Grove), and is seeking volunteers from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM for setup, registration, and guest support. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street safety policy actions or hearings.