Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward announced that the City Council approved a revised curfew ordinance, a new policy affecting street use and public safety. He also reported that four local projects—Parlor Station, The Hinterlands, Turn Back Time, and Adriana Floral—received Chicago Community Development Grant funding, supporting mixed‑use and light‑manufacturing development in the ward. Additional updates noted the ribbon‑cutting for Portage Park Breakfast Place, the ward office’s closure on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (with no garbage service that Monday), and a reminder to keep CTA commuters safe during recent incidents.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward announced that the Housing Committee approved several missing‑middle projects—selling city‑owned lots for $1 to developers building 3‑ and 4‑unit buildings—and opened a public comment period on the Mayor’s 5‑Year Homelessness Blueprint. She also highlighted the upcoming City Council meeting on January 21 for public comment, the Department of Water Management’s sewer rehabilitation project, and the 400 Theater opening feedback window, all of which involve development approvals and infrastructure spending. Other key announcements were the 5th Annual MLK Jr. Day Middle School Basketball Tournament, the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast, and a volunteer snow‑shoveling program.

Alderman David Moore of the 17th Ward announces the first meeting of the new year, correcting the time to 10:30 am–12:00 pm on January 17, 2026 (instead of the previously listed 6 pm). He apologizes for the scheduling error. No additional meetings, policy changes, or development updates are mentioned in this brief notice.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes this month. He reminds residents of office hours, the January 19 holiday closure, and that black garbage carts will not be serviced that day. The newsletter also promotes a free 2026 calendar magnet, a dog rescue, a food‑pantry donation link, a local Mexican restaurant, and lists several job openings in the area.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the People’s Budget will spend $398,000 of the $1 million infrastructure fund on a new accessible playground at Chappell Elementary, flashing beacons, and a River Park viaduct mural, while $602,000 remains for repair work, and a joint committee meeting on January 27 will address CPD’s involvement with ICE under the Welcoming City Ordinance. A rezoning request for 2415 W Peterson to allow a cannabis dispensary is open for feedback until January 19, and CTA contractors will work day and night on Western Avenue for the next two weeks to finish the Brown Line project, ending the bus detour for routes #11 and #49B. The ward is also completing street‑safety projects such as the Lincoln Avenue streetscape and Pratt Boulevard bike medians; the office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and residents are encouraged to recycle holiday lights and trees.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that a COPA ordinance giving the Civilian Office of Police Accountability authority to investigate violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance will be debated and voted on January 27, and residents are invited to comment on a proposed zoning change for 44 affordable units at 3251 W. Division. The ward also highlighted the ongoing Boulevard Landmark District Extension Project and the 26th Ward’s zoning process, while noting the upcoming Legislative Town Halls and a Racial Healing Circle in honor of Dr. King. Additional updates included new staff appointments, Ward‑at‑Your‑Door outreach, and a variety of community resources and events.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada of the 35th Ward will host a City Budget Report‑Back Town Hall on Jan. 20 with Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate will meet that Wednesday to discuss the new Five‑Year Blueprint on Homelessness. A request to lift the liquor‑license moratorium on North Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball and Central Park will be considered at the beat‑1412 CAPS meeting on Jan. 20, and the Committee on Health and Human Relations will hold a meeting on Jan. 27 to hear testimony on immigration enforcement. Other highlights include holiday light recycling drop‑offs, a February 2 Ward Night, and a racial healing circle honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the Chicago Plan Commission has approved the Foundry Park development plan—allowing up to 3,700 housing units, 420,000 sq ft of retail, and 350,000 sq ft of office space—and that the proposal will now move to the City Council Committee on Zoning. He also notes that a Finance Committee hearing on a Tourism Improvement District was held, and that the city is collecting public feedback on its Personal Delivery Device pilot program. Additional updates include Saturday REAL‑ID DMV hours through February 1, a ribbon‑cutting for Wells Street Kitchen and Juice, and a host of community events such as the Indoor Farmers Market, Newberry Fest “All About Maps,” and the 19th‑annual Chicago Restaurant Week.

Alderman Anthony Napolitano of the 41st Ward reports no upcoming meetings, hearings, or policy changes; the only updates are the holiday schedule for garbage collection and the office closure on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the office reopening on Tuesday, January 20 at 9:00 a.m. He also urges residents to help ban online “hotel‑house” rentals that threaten neighborhood quality of life, and highlights the weekly business‑boost feature and the new 41st Ward APB text‑alert service for ward updates.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward reports that the Plan Commission has approved Phase 1 of the $3 billion Foundry Park development, which will now move to the City Zoning Committee for February approval—a key step toward adding 3,737 housing units, office, retail, and park space on the former Lincoln Yards site. The plan also includes significant street and transit improvements—extending Southport and Dominick Streets, upgrading Dickens Avenue, adding protected bike lanes, a new riverwalk, and a private shuttle bus linking the site to CTA and Metra stations—while the city’s TIF has been surplused, requiring new funding for infrastructure. Other updates include the launch of a new PDD pilot program, the Affordable Housing Plan targeting 602 units, and reminders about winter weather safety, tree recycling, and upcoming school council elections.

Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez highlighted a Northwest Side City Budget Report‑Back Townhall on Jan. 20 and a recent City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting that presented the new Five‑Year Blueprint on Homelessness. The newsletter also listed ongoing zoning reviews—such as the 3446 W Irving Park Type 1 change request—and completed approvals at 3240 W Lawrence and 3039 W Irving Park, underscoring the ward’s active development agenda and the upcoming budget decision point. Other key items included federal SAMHSA funding cuts, a call to attend the budget townhall, volunteer opportunities, and a schedule of community events such as the Participatory Budgeting meeting and low‑income housing workshop.

Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward announced a January 22 community meeting with Sarah’s Circle to discuss the proposed 54‑unit supportive‑housing development at 4458 N. Clarendon, a zoning‑related project that requires Lakefront Protection Ordinance review, and noted the City’s 5‑Year Blueprint on Homelessness public‑comment period, the Winter Overnight Parking Ban ordinance, the by‑right development approval at 4725 N. Clifton, and the completion of the Arterial Street Light Project on Montrose between Marine and Clifton. Other highlights included a keynote at the Project Soapbox showcase, a meeting with East Lakeview Neighbors, and the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast.

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward reports no zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes in this issue. The newsletter highlights a community meeting with 300 residents, a 95th‑Street Corridor networking party, monthly produce giveaways, free Art Institute admission, police beat meetings, grant application deadlines, a STEM scholarship, and a pet adoption event.

No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects were announced. The newsletter highlighted community initiatives such as holiday lights and Christmas‑tree recycling drives, a police alert on business burglaries, recruitment for high‑school election judges, and the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Additional updates covered skating in parks, a senior‑citizen property‑tax deferral program, primary‑election registration and vote‑by‑mail information, heating‑assistance programs, winter parking restrictions, and the emergency heating‑repair program.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced a new mixed‑use development proposal for 1040 W Belmont, which would replace Giordano’s with a five‑story building featuring 28 residential units, two commercial spaces, and eight parking spots near the Belmont CTA station. He urged residents to report potholes and other street hazards so the Department of Streets and Sanitation can address them, and noted that the office will help flag severe potholes. Lawson also said he will introduce an honorary resolution for longtime neighbor Ann Mara­slak at the upcoming City Council meeting, and highlighted other community events such as the Lakeview East Dive Bar Classic, Chicago Restaurant Week, and local school council openings.

Alderman Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward emphasized enforcement of the city’s Noise Ordinance, Youth Curfew Ordinance, and a new directive to remove “dibs” parking practices, underscoring a focus on neighborhood safety and order. He also outlined several development initiatives underway in the ward, including the $34 million Earle School Redevelopment, a $61 million library, housing and event‑space project in Back of the Yards, and expansions of parks, a library, and an urban farm. Additional announcements included a free “Paws in Pajamas” adoption event, Vote‑By‑Mail registration for the March primary, upcoming Local School Council elections, and STEM summer programs for students.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman of the 16th Ward reports no upcoming meetings or policy changes related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget in this edition. The newsletter highlights the February 3, 2026 deadline for property owners to file appeals with the Board of Review, an online application for property exemptions, and a volunteer sign‑up for the 16th Ward Valentine’s Lunch. Service‑office hours and contact details are also provided.

Alderman Anthony A. Beale of the 9th Ward reports no upcoming meetings, policy changes, or development approvals related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget. He announces a new newsletter schedule, a community survey to shape the 2026 calendar, and several bid and qualification deadlines (January 17, January 23, February 3, February 6). The office also highlights upcoming events and resources for residents.

Alderman Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward announced that the City Council approved a revised curfew ordinance and that four local projects—Parlor Station, The Hinterlands, Turn Back Time, and Adriana Floral—received Chicago Community Development Grants. He also highlighted CTA safety concerns amid recent incidents, celebrated the ribbon‑cutting of Portage Park Breakfast Place, and shared updates on community resources such as food pantries and senior programs.