Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderperson Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) focused on policy and zoning-related issues affecting the ward, including urging action on bridge-closure traffic impacts, pushing for a written zoning interpretation for ComEd’s proposed substation classification, and supporting an ADU legalization ordinance now in effect (as of April 1). He also discussed introducing legislation to strengthen Chicago’s ethics code for emerging prediction markets and advocated for state revenue measures to support Chicago’s long-term fiscal stability. Other updates/events include community cleanups and Earth Day activities on May 9, the start of work on the Lincoln Gardens and Meadows project, and notices about upcoming public programs and other local announcements.

The newsletter from Alderman Dowell’s Office of the Third Ward focuses on several community events, including a homebuyer event with Treasurer Conyears-Ervin, a community conversation on data centers, and CFD Camp Courage. It also promotes additional outreach such as free baby gates and an Illinois Restaurant Association “Meet the Experts” event, and includes a Mother’s Day greeting from the Alderman and the 3rd Ward Public Service Office team.

Alderman Raymond Lopez’s May 8, 2026 newsletter does not report any zoning/development/housing/transit/budget meetings, ordinances, approvals, or long-term transit service or funding changes; it focuses instead on community events honoring fallen officers. The newsletter also lists several neighborhood constituent-service items (e.g., 50th St resurfacing, abandoned/illegal vehicles towed or removed, board-up and cleaning requests, and tree root/debris removal) and public participation notices including a ballot pickup for the Chavez Renaming of Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academy.

Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) shared May CAPS meeting dates for the 14th and 19th Police Districts and notified residents about a tentative May 11 week schedule for the Greenview/Fullerton water main update, including a lane shift letter and continued installation work. The newsletter also highlights non-zoning items like ongoing spring cleanup (including Chicago River Day), the May street cleaning schedule and reminders, the May 15 deadline to apply for property tax exemptions, and several local community events (including a Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair May 16–17 and a shredding event from the Bucktown Community Organization). In addition, he congratulated Chicago Blackhawks Foundation Junior Youth of the Year winner Kaylin Jones, and included scam, lighting, and other citywide/resource reminders.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) is seeking resident input on a proposed Dog Friendly Area (DFA) within Peanut Park (a section of Maggie Daley Park), noting it is not yet approved and has no identified funding. He also highlights a May 15 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for 401 W Ontario St (Birken Lofts, LLC converting to 57 residences with parking/open-space reductions) and 416-30 W Ohio St (a special use to license an existing 72-space parking lot under the Kennedy Expressway ramp), plus authorizes resurfacing of Montgomery Ward Park’s playground soft surfaces using aldermanic menu funds. Other updates include traffic control aides on Kingsbury Street during Chicago Avenue bridge construction, continued street/CTA and ramp construction and closures (including State/Lake CTA station work through May 22), and notice of upcoming CAPS meetings and community events like the May 9 Girls on the Run 5K in Grant Park.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin highlights this year’s planned street resurfacing, listing multiple segments in the ward (including Berteau–Oakley to Bell Campbell–Eastwood to Leland, and others), and provides updates on current roadway/sewer and sidewalk work such as Ashland resurfacing/concrete and related temporary access/parking impacts, plus ongoing CDOT plaza construction for the Western Brown Line. He also reports on budget advocacy in Springfield as Chicago faces a projected $1 billion deficit, and notes work with Chicago Methodist Senior Services to seek federal housing support to rehab aging senior housing buildings in Andersonville. Other major items include the Andersonville Farmers Market reopening May 13, EcoFest on May 30, and a “Follow the Money” webinar on May 26.

In the 33rd Ward, Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez highlights upcoming/community zoning meetings tied to development proposals, including requests to change zoning at 3007–11 W Irving Park Rd (B3-1 to B3-3), 3446 W Irving Park Rd (B3-1 to B3-3), and 4634–36 N Avers Ave (RS-3 to RT-4). The newsletter also notes spring street-sweeping starting April 1 and provides practical resources like block/special event permits, along with continued support related to the Ronan Park encampment situation. Other major announcements include Neighbor Night at the 33rd Ward office on May 11, plus a May 30 blood drive and a May 9 Community Science Hub event at River Park.

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) shared an update on the closure of the 87th & Cottage Grove Walgreens and said the community is pursuing stronger investment and improved healthcare access for the corridor, including discussions with mall ownership about potential replacement options such as CVS. The newsletter emphasizes continued engagement and “real progress” despite the store’s closure, but it does not describe specific zoning, development approvals, budget, transit, or street-safety votes or hearings.

In the 10th Ward, Alderman Peter Chico’s newsletter reports that the 95th Street Bridge will be fully closed and lifted from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM on select days May 11–15, 2026 for mechanical repairs and to prepare for the upcoming 92nd Street project; local business access and river traffic will be maintained, with provided detours. Other announcements include the 10th Ward City Services Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 5–7 PM at Rowan Park (11546 S. Avenue L).

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s newsletter is primarily a weekend service-requests notice, urging residents to report issues to the 16th Ward office or through 311 (311.chicago.gov, the CHI311 app, or by calling 311). It does not include any specific zoning/development, housing/transit/streets, ordinances, or budget or funding decisions. Other announcements are limited to the office contact information/hours and a prompt to register to vote, along with a general link to community events.

In the 50th Ward newsletter, Alderman Debra Silverstein highlights May 19 (10 AM–2 PM) in-person Rogers Park Township property tax appeal help at the 50th Ward office and reminds residents to apply for 2025 property tax-saving exemptions by May 15. The rest of the update focuses on community events and services, including outdoor office/ice cream socials (starting June 4), a Back to School Giveaway (July 26), and Movie in the Park (August 5), plus info on street sweeping alerts and other city/program announcements.

Alderman Bennett Lawson’s May 8, 2026 newsletter focuses mainly on neighborhood meetings and public-safety updates, including his attendance at Chicago Police Department recognition events and a reminder that the 19th Police District Council meeting on CARE is Wednesday, May 13 at Chicagoland Community Church. The newsletter also promotes housing-related discussion around Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in a recent Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast episode, and includes public-safety and vehicle-theft alerts (including air-bag thefts) and 311 reminders for scooter reporting and potholes. Other announcements include a Ward shredding and electronics recycling event on May 9 (9am–12pm) and several upcoming community events through May, plus ongoing alley resurfacing updates and additional city/job fairs listed in the resource section.

Alderman Desmon Yancy (2230 E. 71st Street, Ward not stated) is reminding residents of a free shredding and electronic recycling event on Saturday, May 9, 2026. No meetings/hearings, policy changes, development approvals, budget items, long-term transit decisions, or street safety/redesign projects are mentioned in this newsletter.

Ald. Tabares (23rd Ward) says he will file a resolution calling for a public hearing with Cook County court criminal-justice system leaders to disclose current processes and statistics involving electronic monitoring, active warrants, and the pursuit of people with active apprehension orders, and he urges voting no on Anjanette Young’s appointment to the Cook County Police Services Oversight Board. He also highlighted discussions during this week’s Chicago–Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force meeting and noted the next meeting is Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter highlights a community meeting that gave a “warm reception” to a proposed 6-flat in Portage Park, plus links to recent coverage involving crime on the CTA Blue Line and reports of proposed local policy at the City level (e.g., a City Council committee backing a ban on sweepstakes machines). The rest of the update focuses on constituent services and resources (infrastructure help, permits, business webinars, senior/veteran support) and community reminders such as May beat meetings and upcoming events like the 5th Annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest on May 29.

Alderperson in the 34th Ward shared several local infrastructure and transportation updates, including street resurfacing/alley/curb-and-gutter work beginning around May 8–June and major CTA/CDOT projects affecting access along State/Lake (closure through May 22, 2026; new station expected by 2029), Canal Street viaduct reconstruction (including a full Canal closure May 9), and ongoing Lake Street bascule bridge and Halsted/Chicago Avenue bridge work. They also highlighted ongoing neighborhood service items like Mary Bartelme Park playground improvements starting May 7 and the start of the April 1 street sweeping season, plus upcoming Ward events like the May 9 34th Ward Shred-A-Thon and May 14’s Citywide Green Social Mixer at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a CDOT-permitted neighborhood notice for helicopter lift operations at 541 N Fairbanks Ct on Saturday, May 9, 2026, including road and pedestrian walkway closures nearby from about 7:45–9:00 AM and possible parking restrictions on parts of Grand Ave and Columbus Dr. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or policy meetings or decisions. It primarily advises residents to review the permit diagram for affected areas.

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) announced that the funeral procession for Officer John Bartholomew will pass through the 39th Ward along Lawrence Avenue on Friday, May 8, 2026 around 1:45 pm, with partial road closures and no-parking restrictions in the area during the day. The alert cites OEMC traffic disruptions on May 7 and May 8, including closures on DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Sheridan Rd., Bryn Mawr Ave., and Lawrence Ave., and provides guidance to neighbors on where to line the route and how to show support. No zoning, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy actions were mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley’s 21st Ward newsletter does not report any specific meetings/hearings or policy, ordinance, development, budget, transit, or street-safety actions for this week. It highlights community events (Clean & Green, Habitat for Humanity’s Build the Block Party, and the Jackie Robinson West kickoff), an SBA assistance onsite period for August 2025 flood victims (May 5–16), and a Veterans Town Hall/Resource Fair, plus general resource and public safety program announcements (e.g., Shred & Resource Day and the Jumping Jack Program).

Alderman Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) sent Mother’s Day wishes and a thank-you for Teachers & Nurses Week, plus a community notice promoting CACC Adoptable Pets (featuring Tiana) and information for donating to St. Cyprian Food Pantry. The newsletter does not list any zoning/development/housing/transit/budget hearings, policy changes/ordinances, development approvals, or street-safety or infrastructure decisions; it mainly provides community resources, a local business highlight, and job postings for several departments and agencies.