The newsletter announces the 29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro’s Library Steering Committee meeting. No additional meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects are mentioned.
The 47th Ward Alderman invites residents to vote in the annual Participatory Budgeting process, allocating $200,000 to local infrastructure projects. Eligible voters—those living in or attending school in the ward and aged 14 or older—can choose from improvements such as accessibility upgrades at Welles Park, pedestrian safety near schools, decorative crosswalks near Old Town, and new fitness equipment at Clark Park.
Alderman William E. Hall of the 6th Ward announces the cancellation of the Ash Wednesday Service scheduled for February 18, 2026, at St. James Community Church. The message thanks residents for their understanding and expresses anticipation for future community gatherings.
Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman of the 16th Ward notes that there are no upcoming meetings or policy changes related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget in this issue. She encourages residents to use the 311 system or her office to report potholes, street light outages, and fly dumping, and highlights a tribute to activist Debra Thompson. The newsletter also lists upcoming community events and provides service office hours and contact information.
Alderman Desmon Yancy invites constituents to a town hall on March 3, 2026, at 2230 E. 71st Street. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned in this newsletter.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward urges residents to provide feedback on a zoning change request to build 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division, and explains the zoning intake and advisory committee process. The newsletter also highlights early voting availability, a senior Valentine's brunch, a community tree‑planting day in Hermosa on April 25, bike‑lane plowing and CDOT street work, and notes the office’s closure on Monday for Washington’s birthday, while supporting Palenque’s Parent Mentor Group and listing job openings.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward highlights the Clean and Affordable Homes Ordinance, a policy he co‑sponsored that sets emissions standards for new construction, and urges residents to apply for state‑funded free solar grants before May 29. He shares his own decarbonization journey and notes the passing of Jesse Jackson Sr. as a reminder of social justice. The newsletter also thanks seniors for a Valentine’s brunch and promotes a Saturday animal adoption event and a food pantry for students and families.
Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea of the 19th Ward announces a series of fundraising events for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Get Behind the Vest campaign, including Eat & Earn promotions at Americanos and S & T Provisions, a Shell gas station donation drive, a night hosted by the Barraco family, a Vest‑a‑Thon on WGN Radio, and the 12th Annual Pancake Breakfast. The newsletter also highlights the Illinois Secure Choice retirement program, which offers a state‑facilitated savings option for workers and employers across Illinois.
On February 18, the 49th Ward will attend the City Council meeting to discuss upcoming zoning and development matters, including Loyola University's demolition permits for 1224 W Loyola Ave, which the ward has urged to consider community benefits. The ward also announced infrastructure updates: a DWM sewer‑lining project on N Greenview Ave and the planned splash‑pad conversion at Willye B. White Park, with a public voting period ending February 27. Additional updates include new SNAP work‑reporting requirements, a Green Homes Chicago intake period, and reminders about the March 17 primary election.
The 46th Ward is hosting a HIRE 360 On‑Site Admissions Day on February 17 at Clarendon Park to promote workforce development in construction trades. Candidates aged 18+ can attend a full-day program featuring informational sessions, application workshops, and interviews, provided they bring required documents. This event is part of the ward’s effort to expand career pathways for local residents.
Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman of the 16th Ward announced that the ward service office will be closed on President’s Day, February 16, 2026, and that no refuse or trash collection will occur that day. The office will reopen February 17 at 9:00 a.m., and recycling services will continue as scheduled, with private recycling cart service unaffected.
Alderman Nicole T. Lee reports that the 11th Ward will host several zoning and finance hearings in the coming weeks, including a City Council meeting on Feb. 18, a Zoning Committee meeting on Feb. 17, and multiple ward‑specific zoning sessions for 3237 S. Parnell, 2905 S. Lowe, and 437‑439 W. 28th Pl. These meetings will address upcoming development approvals, such as the Five Below store opening, and budget implementation through the alternative budget working groups she leads. Policy updates include a compromise hemp ordinance that restricts sales to those 21 and older, the launch of a Green Homes Chicago pilot for energy‑efficient retrofits, and the addition of Chinese‑language signage at the Chinatown‑Red Line CTA station, marking a first for language‑inclusive transit. Infrastructure news covers the start of environmental remediation at The 78, a street‑resurfacing and ADA‑compliant corners project on Wentworth, and extensive water‑main, sewer‑main, and lead‑service‑line replacement work along Pershing and other corridors. Other highlights: the ward office will be closed for President’s Day, a Vote‑By‑Mail application window has opened for the March 17 primary, and residents can join upcoming community events such as the Moving Archer Forward Open House and the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community town hall.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape project will begin next week, removing the left‑turn from Ainslie onto Western to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and that Ashland Avenue resurfacing will start this week with signal work expected to be operational in two weeks. The ward also opened registration for the Green Homes Chicago energy‑upgrade program, which will provide free retrofits to income‑eligible homeowners, and reminded residents that the office will be closed on Monday, February 16 for President’s Day, with the next Ward Night scheduled for February 23. Additionally, volunteers are invited to join the front‑desk team on February 27 to help with constituent services.
On February 19, Alderman Scott Waguespack will host a neighborhood meeting to gather resident feedback on two proposed 30‑unit residential developments on the 1800 block of N. Winnebago, a key zoning and housing discussion for the 32nd Ward. The Department of Water Management will begin a 930‑foot water‑main replacement on Dickens from Damen to Avondale in late February, with accompanying lead‑line replacement, street resurfacing, and sidewalk repairs, representing a significant infrastructure investment. Other updates include early voting sites for the March 17 primary, Earth Day park‑cleanup opportunities, and reminders about property‑tax appeals and voting deadlines.
The 6th Ward Central newsletter announces a historic fireside chat with Retired U.S. Senators Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris, scheduled for Sunday, February 15 at 10:00 AM CST at St. James Community Church. The event celebrates the senators’ roots in the 6th Ward and offers neighbors a chance to reflect on leadership, faith, and legacy. Additional details include the venue address (8000 S. Michigan Ave.) and contact information for 6th Ward Central.
On February 18, the 49th Ward will host a City Council meeting, and a town hall is scheduled for March 4. The alderwoman announced that Loyola University has received demolition permits for 1224 W Loyola Ave, and the Chicago Park District will convert Willye B. White Park’s spray pool into a splash pad in 2026. The Department of Water Management will begin a 75‑day sewer lining project on the west side of N Greenview Ave, and SNAP will now require work reporting for benefits effective February 1.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a request for public feedback on a proposed zoning change to build 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division, and noted that the ward’s zoning intake process is currently reviewing several development requests. The ward also announced a bike‑lane plowing schedule and a community tree‑planting day on April 25 to improve street safety and green space. Additional updates included early voting availability, a Senior Valentine’s lunch celebration, and the office’s closure on February 16 for Washington’s birthday.
Alderman Timmy Knudsen of Chicago’s 43rd Ward announced a new ordinance requiring the Department of Transportation to present a detailed traffic plan before any bridge is closed for more than 30 days, a measure that will go before City Council next week. He also highlighted updated CDOT guidance on e‑scooters and e‑bikes, new parking enforcement reporting options through 311, and a City Council hearing on the Mayor’s Office of Reentry’s first‑year report. The newsletter noted the office’s Presidents Day closure, upcoming community events, and tools such as the Chi Street Work Portal for residents to track street projects.
Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reported that the Committee on Finance convened to discuss the impact of Cook County’s delayed property tax bills, and he introduced a measure urging the county to reimburse the City and Chicago Public Schools for the $9 million lost in interest and the $1.8 billion short‑term loan taken by CPS. The measure is a policy change aimed at addressing fiscal losses caused by the broken tax‑billing system. Other highlights include the office’s holiday closure, the start of early voting for the March primary, invitations to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, community shredding events, and several traffic‑closure updates across downtown.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announces the office will be closed on Presidents' Day, early voting is now open downtown, and a Valentine’s Day dance will be held at Lake Shore Park. The newsletter also highlights the opening of the SOAR Gourmet Market on February 26, a community shred event on March 8, and upcoming political forums including a 7th District Democratic candidate forum and a Sueños and Lollapalooza engagement meeting. Additional community events include a pet adoption event, a near‑north library robotics demo, and various local cultural and educational activities.