Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

June 5, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Summer in the 50th Ward

I had a wonderful time with my neighbors at the first 50th Ward event of the summer! Spending time as a community is the best way to enjoy the summer, and the ice cream just made it all the sweeter.

If you missed it, make sure to join us at the next great event on Tuesday, June 16 from 4:30-6:00 PM. We will have more free ice cream and outdoor office hours at Lunt Playlot Park, 2239 W Lunt Ave. Dietary restrictions will be observed and non-dairy options will be available.

We have a full summer planned with lots of great community events. Find one that works for you at 50thward.org/summer. I hope to see you all out in the Ward!

HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program

The City of Chicago is launching a new initiative to help eligible residents buy a home by providing assistance for down payments and closing costs. The HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program will open to applicants on Monday, June 8 and will offer grants up to $70,000 for low to moderate income homebuyers.

Assistance is targeted by income and geography. Most of our community is designated as Zone A, which is defined as a neighborhood that has experienced significant increases in home sale prices. The 50th Ward also contains one small area of Zone B (Census Tract 205), which includes low-income census tract areas.

Eligibility is based on area median income. Please see the chart below to confirm your eligibility, depending on the zone in which you reside.

Eligible homebuyers must meet income and mortgage requirements, complete homebuyer education counseling, and contribute at least 1 percent of the original purchase price from personal funds. Grant funds may not exceed 25 percent of the property purchase price before any other purchase assistance is applied.

The program will launch on June 8. To apply, contact a HomeGrown delegate agency at www.resurrectionproject.org/homegrown or www.NHSChicago.org. 

For more information, visit www.chicago.gov/homegrown or contact (312) 744-3653.

Thank You to All Our School Staff and Volunteers!

The school year is officially coming to an end for all of our 50th Ward students. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this last year a success for all of our local kids. Thank you to the 50th Ward teachers, administrators, staff, and everyone who works to keep our schools running!

In addition to the staff, our schools rely on a dedicated team of volunteers—both parents and community members—to give our kids a safe and conducive learning environment. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously of their time this school year!

I hope all of our local kids have a great summer, and I hope all of our educators and volunteers have a chance to relax and recharge so they can come back strong next year and continue to help our children grow and learn!

Happy Pride Month

June is Pride Month and Chicago is ready to celebrate! Pride Fest and the Chicago Pride Parade are both on this year. Click here for all the details.

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Lake View Township Property Tax Appeals

Lake View Township is now open for property tax appeals through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The assessment of your home is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in property taxes. The good news is that you can appeal your valuation and potentially lower your taxes.

Lake View Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is south of Devon and east of Western. The appeals period is open until Monday, July 13. You can file an appeal online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/online-appeals.

If your appeal is accepted, changes to your property's assessed value will be reflected in the second installment property tax bill you receive next year in late 2027.

For any questions, please contact the 50th Ward Office at (773) 262-1050 or contact Cook County Commissioner Morita’s Office at (312) 603-6383.

Events at the Northtown Library

Northtown Chess Club

Sunday, June 7 at 1:00–2:30 PM

Join us as we start a weekly chess club that will meet every Sunday afternoon. Local chess coach Isaac Adams will be with us for each meeting to teach and advise. For all ages.

Play Group 

Sunday, June 7 at 3:00-4:00 PM

Drop-in and play with other little ones. Children and their caregivers can build, create art and interact with other children. For children 0 to 7 and their caregivers.

Tween Designers

Monday, June 8 at 4:00–5:00 PM

Join fellow tweens this summer for some fun crafts and games. For kids 9 to 13. 

Tabletop Game Night

Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30–7:30 PM

Are you a train gamer, Catan champion, dice roller, or just looking to pick-up a new hobby? Join us at the Northtown branch on Tuesday evenings for tabletop board game play! Choose from our selection of games or bring your own to share! Library staff will be available to teach games and connect you with other players. Bring a friend or meet a new one! For ages 13+.

Early Childhood Story Time

Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30–11:30 AM

Join us as we read books, sing songs and enjoy rhymes! For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

Plant Our Vegetable Garden!

Wednesday, June 10 at 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Join us as we start on a gardening adventure! The Northtown Branch now has two raised-bed gardens we’ll be tending for the community to enjoy. This exciting first step involves planting vegetables and herbs from Gethsemane Garden Center. We’ll have the plants, shovels and trowels ready! For all ages.

STEAM Makers 

Thursday, June 11 at 4:00-5:00 PM

Join us for hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities every week. We're doing LEGO challenges on June 18 and July 16! For kids 6 to 13.

Trailblazers Who Shaped Chicago’s History

Thursday, June 11 at 6:00–7:00 PM

Join Beth Sair, retired educator and passionate historian, for a presentation celebrating the visionaries whose courage, creativity and determination shaped Chicago into the city we know today. From diplomatic negotiator Billy Caldwell to social reformer Jane Addams, fearless activist Ida B. Wells and innovator Aaron Montgomery Ward, these trailblazers left an enduring legacy on Chicago’s history and identity. For adults, teens and kids 6 and up.

English Conversation Class for Beginners

Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Are you an English language learner looking to practice your spoken English? Or are you currently taking our English Class for Beginners and looking for more help? Join us on Saturdays for our English Conversation Class from the Indo American Center! Each class is a drop-in session and no advance registration is required. For ages 6 and up.

Adult Book Discussion: Beloved by Toni Morrison

Saturday, June 13 at 2:00–3:00 PM

Join us for a discussion of Beloved by Toni Morrison. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Toni Morrison's Beloved is a spellbinding and dazzlingly innovative portrait of a woman haunted by the past. For adults.

All events are located at the Northtown Library at 6800 N. Western. For more information, contact (312) 744-2292 or northtown@chipublib.org.

Sign Up for Street Sweeping Alerts

Street sweeping has officially started and will continue through late-November. You can view the schedule for the 50th Ward as an interactive map here or download a printable version on the Department of Streets and Sanitation website here. Please double-check your address on the map to make sure you are looking at the correct section.

You can find a printable schedule for each individual sweeping section on the 50th Ward website at 50thward.org/sweeping.

You can also sign up for street sweeping alerts with We the Sweeple, a third-party website that pulls information from the publicly available sweeping schedule on the Streets and Sanitation website. Visit www.WeTheSweeple.com to sign up for email alerts when street sweeping is scheduled on your block.

Please note, the site is not affiliated with the City of Chicago, so please always double-check with the official schedule.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Summer Butterfly Club

Movie in the Park at Indian Boundary

Pet Adoption Event With CACC

Camp Courage