Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Bill Conway of the 34th Ward invites residents to the annual Chicago River dyeing and St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, with street closures on Columbus Drive. Participants must RSVP by March 10 to receive a float number. The event will begin at 12:30 pm at the corner of Columbus Drive and East Balbo Drive and travel north to Monroe Street.

The newsletter contains no updates on zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street safety projects. It urges residents to return their 2026 primary election Vote‑By‑Mail ballots by March 10, with instructions to use secure drop boxes at 52 Chicago locations or mail them, and notes that ballots postmarked by Election Day (March 17) and received by March 31 will be counted. Contact information for the 26th Ward office (info@the26thward.org, (773) 395‑0143, 2511 W Division Street) and office hours are provided, along with a reminder that the office is closed from 1‑2 pm for lunch daily.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward issued a weather alert for severe thunderstorms expected tonight, advising residents to stay informed, take shelter, and report hazards to 311. The notice includes safety tips for handling lightning, avoiding downed power lines, and post‑storm reporting. No meetings, policy changes, or development updates were mentioned in this edition.

Alderman Walter Red Burnett (Ward Night) is inviting residents to Ward Night tonight (03.10.26) to share concerns and receive time to meet with the Alderman via a QR code. The newsletter contains no other stated meetings, policy actions, zoning/development changes, budget items, transit service changes, or street safety/redesign updates—only the Ward Night announcement.

The 1st Ward Chief of Staff Nick announced a March 30 virtual “First Look” meeting to review the 1619 N Artesian rezoning proposal and other zoning inquiries, expediting several development cases. The city’s bond rating downgrade and planned 2026 General Obligation issuances—over $500 million for operating expenses and $290 million for infrastructure—highlight upcoming budget and infrastructure spending. Other updates include a participatory budgeting survey, Waymo autonomous‑vehicle testing, community violence prevention efforts, a free hot‑meal event, the Logan Square Arts Festival, and a job readiness fair.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward highlighted a town‑hall meeting held on March 4 and a CTA Red Line construction notice at Morse L, affecting transit service. The ward also announced demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave and ongoing Loyola University construction at 6347 N Broadway, along with a street‑lighting project on Chase and Paulina that will close sidewalks for two to three weeks. Other key updates included the memorial for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the first 49th‑Ward town hall, and detailed information on the March 17 primary election and early voting.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted the completion of a street‑safety project on the Magnificent Mile, with 22 new bollards installed on Michigan Avenue funded through the Bally’s Community Agreement and approved by the City Council. He also reminded residents that early voting for the March 17 primary is underway at several 2nd Ward sites and urged voters to register or update their information before the March 12 deadline. In addition, the newsletter promoted community events such as the “I Love River North” happy hour, the annual Chicago River dyeing, and the Shamrock and Roll St. Patrick’s Day festival, while calling for volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team spring training.

No meetings, hearings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects were announced in this issue. The newsletter highlights upcoming community events, including an Oral and Photographic History of Roseland and CPD schedules, with a March 13 deadline for registration. Contact information for Alderman Anthony A. Beale’s office and the 9th Ward website is provided for further inquiries.

Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea of the 19th Ward announces that 2025 property tax exemption applications are now available online, offering savings such as the Homeowner Exemption (~$950 annually) and other exemptions for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. He also highlights the Illinois Secure Choice retirement program, which is open to workers and employers meeting eligibility criteria, and provides a link for employment opportunities in the ward. The email, funded by the 19th Ward Democratic Organization, includes contact details for assistance and notes that exemption processing may take 8‑10 weeks.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward reports that a new water main will be installed at the Dickens and Damen intersection, prompting a daytime detour of northbound and southbound traffic on Damen from March 9 to March 13, with streets reopening overnight. The water main reconstruction, part of a broader infrastructure upgrade that includes replacing lead service lines and installing new copper connections, will also involve scheduled water shutdowns and street closures, and the alderman encourages residents to support local businesses during the work. Additional announcements include early‑voting information for the March 17 primary, details on secure drop boxes, and updates on park program registrations and community events.

The Third Ward E‑News highlights a free eviction‑sealing clinic hosted by LCBH and DePaul University College of Law, with a registration deadline of March 30 2026. It also lists several community safety and employment events, including a police alert on strong‑armed robbery and fraud, a car‑seat inspection, a whole‑home electric presentation, a national veterans virtual career fair, and a South Chicago health‑care hiring event.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a zoning change request for 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division and announced a town hall in Belmont Cragin to discuss community concerns. The newsletter also celebrated the grand opening of Health Care Plus for seniors, a tree‑planting event on April 25 in Hermosa, and a community dinner fundraiser for immigrant families.

The 47th Ward Alderman informs residents that early voting for the March 17 Illinois Primary is open at 50 neighborhood sites, including Welles Park, with specified hours. Voters can also apply for mail‑in ballots until March 12 and register at early voting locations. No other policy or meeting announcements are included.

On March 8, Alderman Nicole T. Lee highlighted her participation in the groundbreaking of the new Chicago Fire Stadium at The 78 and announced a community meeting to address concerns over gentrification, affordable housing, and taxes, with plans for future public meetings as the project expands. She also updated residents on the distribution of White Sox parking decals and passes for the Sox Residential Parking area, and reminded neighbors of early voting opportunities and the upcoming City Council meetings on March 11 and March 18. Additional announcements included a Celebration of Life for Rev. Jesse Jackson, a reading by former White Sox player Micah Johnson, and various community events for Women’s History Month.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward reported a town‑hall meeting at Sullivan High School and a committee hearing on Peoples Gas rate increases. She also noted ongoing demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave, CTA Red Line construction at Morse L, and a street‑lighting project on Chase and Paulina that will close sidewalks for a few weeks. The newsletter highlighted community events such as the memorial for Rev. Jesse Jackson, International Women’s Day celebrations, and various local cultural and volunteer opportunities.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a zoning change request to build 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division, inviting community feedback, and explained the ward’s zoning intake and advisory committee process. The ward also announced a community tree‑planting day on April 25 in Hermosa, a grand opening of Health Care Plus for seniors, and a reminder of the upcoming Belmont Cragin town hall. Additional community events include a fundraiser dinner for immigrant families on March 8, various youth and senior programs, and job‑opportunity listings.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada of the 35th Ward announced a community teach‑in on March 9 at Roosevelt High School to discuss ICE protection and community organizing. He also highlighted upcoming events: a CPS transition assistance fair at ASPIRA Business on March 10, early voting at NEIU El Centro, and a property‑tax exemption application window opening March 9. Additional community updates include a tree‑planting day on April 25, a Small Business Improvement Fund webinar on April 1, and CAPS meetings on March 11 and 12.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward highlighted upcoming meetings on March 10 with the East Lake View Neighbors to discuss the Cubs’ Camry Parking Lot expansion and a CDOT traffic study at Inner Lakeshore Drive, both awaiting Plan Commission review. She also announced a March 9 Mobile ID and CityKey event at Clarendon Park, a March 16 Community Conversation, and a March 19 Ward Night. Other updates included a meet‑and‑greet at 4640 N. Sheridan, a visit to the Chicago Maritime Museum, and new SNAP work‑requirement information.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward announced a community paper‑shredding and e‑recycling event on March 8, co‑hosted with other officials, and reminded residents of early voting sites for the March 17 primary. He also highlighted upcoming public events, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Shamrock Shuffle race, noting extensive street closures and traffic detours in the 42nd Ward and surrounding areas. Additionally, Reilly briefed on ongoing construction projects—such as the Bally’s Casino utility work on Grand Ave, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge, and the Ohio/Ontario feeder ramp—providing timelines and detour information for affected commuters.

On March 16, Alderman William E. Hall will host a rescheduled ward meeting and a community‑wide meeting to discuss the vertical‑clearance improvements project and other local issues such as CDOT projects, 2026 menu suggestions, and development along the 79th Street corridor. The February zoning meeting approved changes for three sober‑living facilities and a gas‑station expansion, while the upcoming meeting will also address development approvals along the 79th Street corridor. Additional updates include early voting sites for the 2026 Illinois primary, the 6th Ward Shred Day on March 28, and the Spend in the Black marketplace on April 4.