Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

On February 28, Alderman Anthony J. Quezada of the 35th Ward announced a virtual public hearing on March 6 to discuss lead service line replacement funding and a Capital Improvement Project briefing that will cover arterial street resurfacing, water main and sewer main line replacements, and pedestrian safety upgrades. He also highlighted the $250,000 community development grant that approved the Belmont Tavern renovation, a key development approval in the ward. Additional updates included a fundraiser for a house fire victim, visits to local schools, early voting information, and a tree‑planting day.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a March 9 town‑hall at Iglesia Emanuel where residents can learn about 311, infrastructure updates, and participate in participatory budgeting, and she is soliciting feedback on a proposed zoning change for 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division. The ward is also advancing a CDOT arterial resurfacing project on Humboldt Drive that will add ADA sidewalks, bike medians, raised crosswalks, and refuge islands, improving street safety and accessibility. Additional community events include a March 4 blood drive at Mozart Park, a youth joblessness briefing, gender‑based violence training, and an April 25 tree‑planting day in Hermosa, with the office closed on March 2 for Casimir Pulaski Day.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward announced that his office will be closed on March 2 for Pulaski Day and that he attended the memorial for Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. He scheduled community shredding events on March 1 and March 8, and early voting for the March 17 primary will begin on March 2 at Lawson House. Additionally, the alderman highlighted upcoming traffic disruptions from crane lifts and filming near Michigan Ave, as well as ongoing bridge and utility construction that will affect streets through May 2026.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward notes that city offices will be closed for Casimir Pulaski Day, early voting will begin March 2, and the 2nd Ward Shred Event is scheduled for March 8. Residents are reminded of the March 17 primary election and a range of community events, including the Polar Plunge, White Rooster theater, and Ohio Street Beach Cleanup. Additional highlights include a Cook County Board President forum on March 5 and early‑voting site details for the 2nd Ward.

Alderman Timmy Knudsen of the 43rd Ward highlighted the city’s recent credit downgrade and urged the mayor and CDOT to prioritize bridge closures and traffic mitigation, while also announcing new e‑bike and parking enforcement policies. He also noted the preliminary landmarking of DePaul’s Cortelyou Commons and Byrne Hall, and referenced the upcoming ComEd substation meeting and the city’s FY2026 budget shortfall. Additionally, the newsletter promoted early voting, the 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps pilot programs, and the Savor Lincoln Park food festival.

Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward announced a Capital Improvement Program briefing with CDOT and DWM, highlighting upcoming street and alley resurfacings, lighting projects, and a push for additional funding for infrastructure improvements in the ward. The ward is also reviewing a zoning change for 3446 W Irving Park (B3‑1 to B2‑3) and will hold public meetings on zoning and development, while residents are encouraged to vote in the Participatory Budgeting cycle and early voting for the March 17 primary. Additional updates include the resignation of Chief of Staff Veronica Tirado, a planned resolution honoring the Community Choice Awards, and reminders about early voting locations and mail‑in ballot deadlines.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced the first Town Hall of 2026 and a March 9 public‑safety meeting to discuss the new Parking Ticket Pilot Program, which shifts ticket issuance to the Department of Finance. He also highlighted ongoing street‑safety work, including the Pothole Patrol and the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue North Streetscape Project that will modernize traffic signals and add new lighting at Ainslie Arts Plaza. Additionally, the ward’s West Ridge dispensary plan received Aldermanic support, and the office celebrated community engagement with the North River Youth Council and a Choose Chicago meeting on tourism and city branding.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that Minim Productions will film the TV show "The Fugitive" in Lincoln Park from March 3–5, 2026, with detailed parking restrictions and police‑supervised traffic control. The notice lists the affected streets and times, and provides contact information for questions or concerns. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street redesign projects are mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Matt Martin of the 47th Ward met with state lawmakers to discuss Chicago’s fiscal challenges and with city infrastructure heads to review capital improvements—including street light upgrades, sewer main replacements, and resurfacing projects—while also meeting with the Green Council on flood mitigation for parkways. He approved zoning changes for three projects: a 4‑story, 8‑unit condo at 4447 N Ashland, a rehab of a vacant 2‑story building into an 8‑unit rental at 3639 N Ashland, and a coach‑house addition at 2103 W Eastwood that creates an extra rental unit. Other announcements include the final weekend to vote on the 2026 Participatory Budget, the transfer of the North Center Senior Satellite Center to Catholic Charities, and a children’s book drive through March 31.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward announced that the Chicago Plan Commission approved two new developments: a 10‑story mixed‑use building at 3611 N. Halsted with 188 units (38 affordable) and a 7‑story supportive‑housing project at 4458 N. Clarendon for women at risk of homelessness. The ward also reported completion of emergency sewer repairs on Broadway and Sheridan, restoring traffic and CTA service. In addition, Clay highlighted community celebrations—including Lunar New Year festivities, the Black Creativity Gala, and volunteer‑leadership opportunities—to showcase the ward’s cultural vibrancy and civic engagement.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s 16th Ward Weekend Edition highlights a tribute to Margaret Burroughs and lists the service office hours. No zoning, policy, development, budget, transit, or street safety updates were included in this issue.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein of the 50th Ward reports that a third community meeting was held to finalize plans for the new Indian Boundary Park playground, featuring unique equipment such as a Cliff Rider and CocoWave Pendulum Swing. Early voting will begin March 2 at the Northtown Library, and police CAPS meetings are scheduled for March 3–4 to discuss safety in the ward. Additional updates include holiday closures for Pulaski Day, a Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, and opportunities for tree planting and emergency heating repairs.

Alderman Anthony A. Beale announces a March 6 public hearing and urges residents to submit applications by the February 28 deadline, as well as to complete a 2026 services survey that will close at the end of February. He also highlights the 100‑year Black Excellence celebration during Black History Month and encourages community input for the upcoming calendar, with additional deadlines for CPD on March 13.

The 17th Ward Community Organization’s official election ballot email from Alderman David Moore urges residents to vote for all listed candidates and highlights the importance of collective voting. No meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned. The email also invites volunteers to support the campaign.

Alderman Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward met with the heads of Administrative Hearings, Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, the Mayor’s Office of Persons with Disabilities, and Transportation (CDOT) to discuss pilots and initiatives, while noting CDOT’s refusal to allocate capital dollars to the ward despite the council’s $1.5 million allotment for aldermanic projects. The newsletter also reports on a series of debris and cleanup operations along 46th, 63rd, and 65th Streets, as well as a repaired sign and fly‑dump cleanup, and announces that residents can now apply online to Vote By Mail for the March 17 primary. Additional highlights include new STEM Academy and Boys to STEM summer programs, veteran and military fitness programs, a food‑scrap drop‑off initiative, and a Com‑Ed customer experience survey.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced community feedback sessions for two major development proposals—Tryst Chicago, a five‑story boutique hotel on N Halsted, and a 303‑unit residential tower at 2800 N Sheridan—requiring zoning approval and public input. The ward also highlighted the 2026 Wrigley Field Annual Meeting, where discussions covered public safety, parking enforcement, sanitation, transit, and recent community investments, and noted the opening of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken near the ballpark. Additional updates included early voting locations, a carjacking investigation, the city’s snowplow naming contest, and a reminder that the office will be closed on Pulaski Day.

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter highlights a CDOT proposal for a new network of bikeways in Portage Park, a Chicago Park District $630 million plan for a post‑Bears Soldier Field, and a City of Chicago overcharge lawsuit over parking stickers. The ward also announces early voting sites for the March 2 primary, a Back the Vest event on April 12, and a Senior Resource Fair at Eden United Church of Christ. Additional updates include office closure on Casimir Pulaski Day, local business spotlights, and upcoming beat meetings.

On March 1, the Central West TIF district opens SBIF applications for small businesses, and a public hearing on March 6 will discuss the City’s lead service line replacement plan, a major infrastructure spending decision. The 34th Ward also announces a new overnight parking ban (Dec 1–Apr 1, 3‑7 a.m.) and a CDOT delivery‑robot reporting category to improve street safety, while several bridge and viaduct projects—including the Lake Street Bascule Bridge, Halsted/Chicago Avenue, Ashland/I‑290, and Canal Street viaduct—continue with staged closures. Other highlights include the 34th Ward office closure for Pulaski Day, Greektown Restaurant Week, and St. Patrick’s Day events at Old St. Pat’s.

The Third Ward Aldermanic Office announces the 2026 Soldier Field event calendar, noting that Bears games are not yet scheduled and many events are pending. Early voting for the ward begins March 2 and runs through March 17, with multiple sites listed. The office also promotes free tax‑preparation assistance and reminds residents to follow parking restrictions.

Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea of the 19th Ward invites residents to support the 100th Memorial Day Parade fundraiser at Horse Thief Hollow on February 26, where $2 from each Memorial March Golden Lager sold will go to the parade fund. The newsletter also highlights a free online aviation career course starting March 3, a state‑facilitated Illinois Secure Choice retirement program, and job listings on the ward’s website.