Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea of the 19th Ward announces the funeral mass and procession for fallen Chicago Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman on March 27th, detailing the route and requesting community members to line the streets in honor. The event will include a traffic alert with rolling closures along Western, 103rd, Kedzie, and 111th Streets. No other meetings, policy changes, or development updates are mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward invites residents to the Winnemac Park Ballfield grand opening on April 10th, featuring a new turf field and a baseball game between Amundsen and Mather, with a special guest first pitch. The event celebrates community input and partnership with the Chicago Park District, Friends of Amundsen, Amundsen Athletics, and the Chicago Cubs. No other policy or budget announcements are included.

Alderman Anthony A. Beale of the 9th Ward announces a townhall and Women’s History Month event, inviting residents to register through the provided links. The newsletter also includes a job posting and contact information for the ward office.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward highlighted a CTA security plan submission to the FTA, adding 75% more policing hours and $1.65 M in funding for transit safety, and announced the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Program to expand affordable homeownership. She also noted the pause of demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave pending CTA clearance, and the ongoing lighting and university construction projects that represent new infrastructure spending. The newsletter also reported a tragic residential fire and a shooting, and listed community events such as the Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest, a citywide park cleanup, and various local cultural and youth programs.

The 1st Ward will host a Virtual First Look on March 30 to review a rezoning proposal for 1619 North Artesian, adding a third floor and redistributing units, and a Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability meeting on March 26 will address CPD oversight and the Welcoming City Ordinance. The Ward’s Committee on Pedestrian & Traffic Safety is collecting data on flooded bike lanes to inform future street safety improvements. Residents can also enjoy free hot meals tomorrow at West Town Library, a park cleanup on April 11, and a free bike tune‑up on April 25, with additional community events such as Earth Week and a rally on April 1 against a proposed Peoples Gas rate hike.

Alderman David Moore of the 17th Ward announces the start of the 2026 Summer Block Club Season, with party packets available from April 1, 2026. Residents whose blocks are not chartered must circulate a petition to host a summer block party. Additionally, the City of Chicago’s Free Jump & Jack Program opens on April 15, 2026, and applications are now accepted.

Alderman Matt O'Shea’s 19th Ward Office is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, March 29 at St. Christina Parish Center, and a Veterans Assistance Commission event on Wednesday, March 25 at the ward office. The newsletter also highlights the Illinois Secure Choice retirement program and invites residents to explore employment opportunities through the ward’s website. No zoning, budget, or transit updates were included.

On March 24, Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announced policy changes including the freeze of tipped wage increases, the launch of the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate program, and a statewide e‑bike safety initiative. He also highlighted community updates such as the start of the 2026 street‑sweeping schedule, a call for pothole reports, and the memorial services for Firefighter Michael Altman. Additional events include the 18th District Easter egg hunt, the OTMRA networking event, and the upcoming Clean & Green Day of Service.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces that on March 26 the Cubs will open the 2026 season at Wrigley Field, featuring fireworks and a Marine Corps flyover. The city will enforce strict parking restrictions and truck bans around Addison, Clark, and other streets, provide designated rideshare pick‑up zones, a bike valet, and additional CTA service to keep the area safe and accessible. Residents are encouraged to use public transit and follow the posted street closures and pedestrian reroute near Sheridan station for the event.

Alderman Samantha Nugent of the 39th Ward reports a shooting incident at Bryn Mawr and Kostner on March 15, with ongoing investigation and increased police patrols. The office has coordinated with residents to provide video evidence to the 17th Police District and will hold a CAPS meeting on April 22 to discuss community safety. No zoning, development, or budget actions were mentioned.

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward invites residents to a free 6th Ward Shred Day on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Benedict the African Parking Lot (340 W. 66th St.). Participants can drop off sensitive documents and small electronics for safe disposal. The event aims to protect personal information and keep the community safe and organized.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a joint venture with the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center to deliver about 220 affordable housing units, a key development and housing initiative aimed at preventing displacement. The office is reviewing zoning change requests and will hold community input meetings for those projects, while also reinforcing the Welcoming City Ordinance to support inclusive housing policies. In addition, the ward is hosting Earth Month activities—including a recycling extravaganza, Humboldt Park Earth Day Clean‑Up, and a Hermosa tree‑planting event—along with a range of community resources and events.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee of the 11th Ward reports that the City Council approved a 1.5% hotel room tax to fund a Tourism Improvement District, and that Sox Residential Parking zone decals and passes will be distributed to residents to curb parking abuse near the ballpark, accompanied by updated street closures and traffic patterns for nearby residential blocks. Ongoing infrastructure work includes a street resurfacing and ADA‑compliant corner project on Wentworth, lead services line replacement along Donovan Park, and extensive water and sewer main replacements on Pershing and 35th Street, all of which will impose temporary parking restrictions and one‑lane closures. The newsletter also honors the late firefighter Michael Altman, highlights community events such as the 11th Ward Boys Basketball Tournament, and announces a free Constituent Education Resource Card for museum visits.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden reports that the CTA has submitted an enhanced security plan to the FTA, adding 75% more policing hours and $1.65 million for shelter beds, while the demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave has been paused pending CTA clearance. The city is also undertaking a residential street‑lighting project on Chase and Paulina, which will temporarily close sidewalks and create a no‑parking zone. The newsletter also notes the tragic loss of firefighter Michael “Mickey” Altman in an arson‑related fire and the shooting death of Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman, along with various community events and resources.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward announced that a private contractor will begin installing an underground sewer structure at W Addison St and N Neva Ave, closing the intersection for 4‑6 weeks with detours. The project is part of the ward’s infrastructure improvement plan. He also highlighted community events, including a rescued dog, food pantry donations, a local restaurant, and job openings.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that the city and the ward are reviewing zoning change requests and that applicants may present their proposals at a community input meeting, underscoring the ward’s ongoing focus on housing and development. The office also highlighted a joint venture between the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center that will deliver approximately 220 new affordable housing units to the ward, a key development approval aimed at preventing displacement. In addition, the newsletter promoted Earth Month initiatives—including a recycling extravaganza, Humboldt Park Earth Day Clean‑Up, and Hermosa tree‑planting events—alongside city recycling and composting programs to support environmental sustainability.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward announced a city council freeze of the tipped wage credit, a policy change affecting restaurant workers. He also highlighted the upcoming water main replacement project from Damen to Avondale and the IDOT repair closure of the Kennedy Expressway reversible lanes, both infrastructure and street safety projects. Additional updates included street sweeping schedules, CPS spring break resources, a memorial for fallen firefighter Michael Altman, and community events such as Easter celebrations and Earth Day clean‑ups.

City Council approved a $5 million TIF allocation for Avondale Park fieldhouse upgrades, and a fireside chat with the Department of Transportation discussed the Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape and Logan Square Redesign Project, which will include a new Milwaukee Plaza and farmers market. Alderman Anthony J. Quezada also highlighted the alley resurfacing project on Gresham, Allen, Kimball, and Milwaukee Avenues, and the ongoing TIF investments to restore the historic fieldhouse. Other updates include a new ramen pop‑up at 2642 N. Milwaukee, a community cleanup on March 21, and the launch of the Small Business Improvement Fund for the Kennedy/Kimball TIF district.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward reports that City Council passed the Welcoming City Investigation Ordinance, empowering COPA to investigate CPD officers collaborating with ICE, and a community rezoning meeting is scheduled for March 31 to consider a B2‑3 zoning change for 5636‑5640 N Ashland to allow a 5‑story residential building. The ward also sees progress on infrastructure, with the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and the Western Brown Line Project’s southern elevator reopening on March 25, while the One Fair Wage Ordinance pause remains in effect pending further review. Additional community highlights include the Winnemac Park ballfield opening on April 10, a Northside Environmental Mixer on March 24, and a volunteer grocery delivery day with Nourishing Hope on March 28.

Ald. Timmy Knudsen of the 43rd Ward announced a community meeting on March 31 about the proposed amendment to Francis W. Parker School’s Planned Development, and highlighted City Council actions that expanded COPA’s investigative authority and paused future tipped‑wage increases. Other updates include the start of April street‑sweeping, a new residential parking‑zone map, and updated e‑scooter and e‑bike policies, while the ward celebrates a Lincoln Park Zoo rhino birth and a Lincoln Park nomination for USA TODAY’s best park. Residents are also invited to volunteer workshops, youth summer jobs, and community events such as the construction at 2600 North Clark and the Lincoln Park Zoo summer kickoff.