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.
The most important updates in this newsletter from Alderman Conway are the transit‑infrastructure changes: the State/Lake elevated station closure and new station construction, the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge rehabilitation, the Halsted/Chicago Avenue bridge project, and Ashland/I‑290 expressway viaduct work. A new parking ordinance imposes an overnight parking ban from 3 am to 7 am on 107 miles of main streets. Other highlights include CAPS safety meetings, a call for poll workers, SNAP benefit changes, and community events such as a Greek lecture and volunteer opportunities.
Alderman Dowell of the 3rd Ward reminds residents of the Chicago Bears game on January 18 (and a possible game on January 25) with fireworks if the Bears win. Residents are invited to vote on Poplar Park’s new splash‑pad design from January 6‑31 and to review the Chicago Seniors Connected brochure, which notes new SNAP work requirements effective February 1. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant program remains open with a February 13 deadline, offering up to $250,000 for commercial‑corridor projects, and additional community resources are highlighted.
Alderman David Moore of the 17th Ward announces the first meeting of the new year for ward residents. No additional meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street projects are mentioned. The newsletter contains no other major announcements or events.
Alderwoman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth highlighted several development‑related meetings, including a design session for Emanuel Congregation’s 5959 N Sheridan plans and a public feedback window for a proposed RS‑3 to RM‑4.5 zoning change at 1527 W Edgewater, as well as a virtual 2025 Year‑in‑Review town hall. The office also launched a Shared Cost Sidewalk Program to subsidize sidewalk repairs and installed new bike racks at Northside Catholic Academy, supporting street‑safety and redesign initiatives. In addition, Hahn Liquor received approval to relocate to 1355 W Devon, and the ward promoted other community events such as the Edgewater Indoor Market, a 20th‑District camera‑registration event, and an environmental town hall with MWRD.
Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward reports no upcoming meetings or policy changes related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget. He reminds residents that the office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for the MLK holiday and offers a free 2026 calendar magnet at the office. The newsletter also highlights a dog‑rescue initiative, a call for donations to St. Cyprian Food Pantry, and a list of current job openings in the area.
Alderman Tabares of the 23rd Ward highlighted a recent visit with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Greater Southwest Development Corporation to support local mom‑and‑pop businesses along the 63rd Street Corridor, noting that $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in the community. He urged residents to stay vigilant amid recent robberies, provided safety signage, and promoted volunteer opportunities for senior snow‑removal assistance. The newsletter also shared a video of the visit, links to local business hours, and reminders to report suspicious activity or request snow‑removal assistance through My Block, My Hood, My City.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that Minim Productions will film “The Fugitive” in Old Town on January 16‑17, 2026, with parking restrictions on both sides of Sedgwick St from Locust St to 830 N Sedgwick St and streets posted as NO PARKING/TOW ZONE. The notice provides contact details for the location managers and the City of Chicago Film Office for any questions. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned.