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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for February 27, 2026
In This Edition:
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2nd Ward Website
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2nd Ward Twitter
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2nd Ward YouTube
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City Offices Closed In Observance Of Casimir Pulaski Day
Note: Due to the upcoming holiday, this newsletter is being sent today, Friday, February 27, instead of Monday, March 2.
 Our office and other city offices will be closed on Monday, March 2, in observance of Pulaski Day. This closure is in compliance with the City of Chicago's mandatory holiday schedule. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, March 3, with regular business hours. If you need to file a service request, please use the City's 3-1-1 portal here. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
There will be no refuse collection on Monday, March 2. All city-collected refuse will be collected Tuesday through Friday. Residents should ensure black carts are accessible throughout the week.
Please note that garbage and recycling pickup is likely to be delayed by up to 24 hours for the remainder of the week.
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Early Voting Begins In The 2nd Ward: Monday, March 2
 Early voting in the 50 "Ward Sites" begins Monday, March 2, and will run through Election Day on Tuesday, March 17. The Near North Library (310 W Division St) and Lincoln Park Library (1150 W Fullerton Ave) are nearby options for 2nd Ward voters. Chicago Public Library branches are closed for operation on Monday, March 2, due to the holiday, but open for early voting. The hours for all sites are as follows:
- Weekdays: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Election Day (March 17): 6:00 am to 7:00 pm (CBOE Early Voting Site at 69 W Washington St Closed)
Any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site, no matter where they live in the city. All Early Voting locations are ADA-compliant and fully accessible to voters with disabilities. The two downtown Early Voting sites, located at 137 S State St and 69 W Washington St, are open now for early voting.
You may find a list of early voting dates and locations, along with other relevant information, by clicking here.
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Cook County Board President Democratic Candidate Forum: Thursday, March 5
The River North Residents Association (RNRA) and Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) are hosting a forum for candidates running in the Democratic Primary for Cook County Board President. The event will take place on Thursday, March 5, at 5:30 pm, at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch (835 N Michigan Ave).
Attendees are invited to send questions for candidates ahead of time to ccbpcandidateforum@rnrachicago.org by Tuesday, March 3, at 9:00 am.
Click here to register.
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2nd Ward Shred Event: Sunday, March 8
The 2nd Ward Spring Shred Event will take place on Sunday, March 8, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the My Parking Gold Coast Lot, located at 1258 N State Pkwy. Please bring your documents, old electronics, and pharmaceuticals to this very popular shred event to ensure they are properly discarded.
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Weekly Neighborhood Organization Highlight: Old Town Merchants And Residents Association
 This week's highlighted neighborhood organization is the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association (OTMRA). Since 1971, OTMRA has been a strong advocate for the historic Old Town community, tackling development, beautification, business issues, and public safety. Today, the neighborhood continues to flourish, housing world-class dining and entertainment options for Chicagoans. I am grateful for OTMRA's partnership.
A staple event in Old Town that I would like to highlight is the Wells Street Art Festival. OTMRA works with a number of local partners to put on a lively street festival each year, highlighting local artists and musicians on the Wells Street corridor. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the event, and it was another resounding success.
Old Town residents can learn more about OTMRA by clicking here.
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18th District Collecting Easter Egg Hunt Supplies: Deadline April 1
The 18th Police District is collecting candy-filled plastic Easter eggs, candy, and baskets for the Near North Easter Egg Hunt. Please drop off your donations at the 18th District, located at 1160 N Larrabee Ave, in the lobby.
If you have any questions, contact the 18th District CAPS Office at 312-742-5778.
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2026 Chicago Police CAPS Meeting Schedule
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Beat community meetings are a key part of the Chicago Police Department's strategy of partnerships and problem-solving. These meetings are held in person with the option for remote participation and are an excellent way to communicate with the officers who patrol your beat and to engage with and meet your neighbors.
The entirety of the 2nd Ward falls inside the 18th District. Click here to find which beat you reside in. You may also call 312-742-5778 or email CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org for more information about the 18th District CAPS office.
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18th District CompStat Report
Computer Statistics report (CompStat) is a weekly report of incidents that have occurred in the respective police district. Each district compiles a statistical summary of the week's crime complaints, arrests, and data analysis. Click here to learn more about CompStat.
Please see the 18th District CompStat report below:
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Recent Carjacking Arrests:
- 21 February 26 - Offenders Charged with Multiple Felony Counts of Murder, Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
Community Alerts:
- 27 February 26 - 1st District - Robbery
- 26 February 26 - Citywide - Burglary
- 26 February 26 - Commercial Burglaries
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
- 24 February 26 - Juvenile Offenders Charged with Multiple Counts of Robbery and Aggravated Battery
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March 17 Primary Election Information
The 2026 General Primary Election is March 17, 2026. This election determines party nominees for federal, state, county, and local offices on the ballot in Chicago. The Board provides official forms and tools for registering to vote, updating your registration, sample ballots, and applying for vote by mail. Information on Vote By Mail, Early Voting, the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster, and other dates and services can be found below.
Only 1 in 5 Chicagoans registered to vote cast a ballot in the last midterm election in 2022 (click here to read more about the low turnout). Please vote to make your voice heard; we get the government we elect.
Vote By Mail
Register to Vote By Mail by clicking here.
You can also fill out the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster application form by clicking here.
NOTE: Applications to receive a mail ballot must be received by the Board no later than March 12, 2026. Mail ballots must be postmarked by March 17, 2026, to count.*
Early Voting Information (Begins in all 50 Wards on Monday, March 2, 2026)
March 2 through March 17 hours of operation:
Weekdays: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Election Day (March 17): 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Voter Registration and Address Changes
To register to vote or update your address on your voter registration record, use the Illinois Voter Registration Application* available from the Board’s site by clicking here.
*Last Day to register using the online application is March 1, 2026. It reopens on March 19, 2026
The official downloadable form for registration or address updates is here.
Grace Period and Same-Day Registration
Illinois law allows voters to register or update their registrations and vote during the grace period at early voting sites and at the Board office through Election Day if they missed the standard registration deadline. Check the official Chicago Board of Elections site for exact grace period details and locations by clicking here.
Election Day
The Primary Election is scheduled for March 17, 2026. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time at your assigned precinct polling place. You may vote in person on Election Day if you have not voted early or by mail. For polling location lookup, click here.
Polling Place Lookup
Find your polling place and voter information by clicking here.
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New Vote By Mail Information
On December 24, 2025, USPS changed its definition of a "timely postmark" to mean the date a piece of mail is processed, not that it is received. Mail-in voters should keep in mind that:
- A ballot or any other mailpiece may be taken into any post office to receive a free manual postmark
- Completed mail-in ballots may also be taken to any early voting location to be deposited in secure collection boxes
Click here to learn more.
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Sueños and Lollapalooza Community Engagement Meeting: Tuesday, March 3
 The producers of Sueños and Lollapalooza are hosting a virtual community engagement meeting on Tuesday, March 3, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The meeting will cover event logistics and answer questions, and will be led by organizers alongside a representative from the Park District.
Click here for more information.
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Find Local Support with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County
 The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County helps Veterans find support right in their own communities. Their team can assist in finding resources and assistance across a wide variety of issues and can connect Veterans with other service agencies and collaborators. If you or someone you know is a veteran in need, VACCC may be the place to start.
Click here for more information.
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Teen Zone at Near North Library: Tuesdays and Thursdays
The Near North Library (310 W Division St) continues to host Teen Zone on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teens are invited to stop by from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm for games, crafts, and socializing.
Click here for more information.
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Polar Plunge Chicago for Special Olympics Illinois: Sunday, March 1
 Registration for Polar Plunge Chicago, benefitting Special Olympics Illinois, is now open. The event will take place at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 1, to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. By taking the plunge, you help Special Children’s Charities, which funds Special Olympics Illinois programs that provide sports and athletic activities for athletes of all ages throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Your participation empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover new strengths and achieve personal milestones.
Click here for more information.
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White Rooster at the Lookingglass Theatre: March 5
White Rooster, premiering at Lookingglass Theatre (163 E Pearson St) on March 5, is a dark comedy about love, grief, and eternal hunger. When a daughter makes plans to leave her haunted hometown, the ghosts of the past conspire to keep her around just a little longer. Equal parts Chinese mythology, western Americana, and gothic folk-rock, White Rooster is a wild journey into a town that time forgot, where everyone is hungry for something, and no one can be sure who is dead and who is alive.
Use code “NEIGHBOR” for 25% off tickets to performances March 5-13. (Discount does not apply to Tier 3; fees will be applied at checkout)
Unavailable those dates? Then, get 15% off tickets on Tier 1 & 2 tickets through April 5 using the same code. Reserve your seat today by clicking here.
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Mini Used Book Sale at Newberry Library: Saturday, March 7
 The Newberry Library is hosting a Mini Used Book Sale from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 7. Shop a curated selection of used books from a variety of categories at great prices! All proceeds from the sale will benefit the library’s collections and programs. While you are visiting, consider joining a tour of the Library at 10:30 am or 2:30 pm.
Click here for more information.
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"Hoops & Hounds" with Gold Coast Neighbors Association: Saturday, March 21
 Gold Coast Neighbors Association (GCNA) is hosting "Hoops & Hounds" on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at She-Nannigans (16 W Division St). Stop by to learn more about GCNA’s community advocacy efforts and enjoy an afternoon of specially priced drinks, complimentary light bites, and treats for your furry friends (leashed and socialized dogs only, please). While walk-ins are welcome, you are encouraged to register in advance to hold your spot.
Click here for more information.
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Ohio Street Beach Cleanup: Sunday, March 29
The Chicago Cleanup Club is hosting an Ohio Street Beach Cleanup on Sunday, March 29, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Organizers will be meeting in front of Caffe Oliva (550 E Grand Ave) on the beach and will provide grabbers, recycled plastic trash bags, gloves, and recycling buckets. You are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and heavy-duty pet food/pet litter/soil bags for reuse if you have them handy. We will also have an optional lunch at the Navy Pier food court afterward.
Please register here.
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