Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter includes a community meeting item about a proposed 6-flat development in Portage Park, plus links to local news such as drug and armed robbery reports on the CTA Blue Line. The remainder focuses on constituent services and resources (e.g., composting education/food scrap drop-offs, 311/Express Permit Program guidance, veteran/senior support information, and ward “Beat Meetings” dates), alongside general City and national political updates (e.g., Mayor Johnson actions related to Bears relocation and other Chicago policy headlines). Other major announcements/events mentioned include the 5th Annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest (May 29) and an invite-only soft opening for the Obama Presidential Center.
Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) highlights local updates including ongoing SNAP benefit changes that began May 1, a May 15 deadline to apply for Cook County property tax exemptions, and street sweeping starting for the season. She also promotes a May 14 Chicago Citywide Green Mixer and notes a short-term DOT lighting project on Chase and Paulina with temporary no-parking tow-zone restrictions.
Other announcements include a May 10 Mercadito, May 15 Healthy Hearing event at Northwestern, Howard Street Carnaval (May 16), and Red Line Jazz Project performances starting May 21.
Alderman Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) shared Mother’s Day wishes and thanked local teachers and nurses during National Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week. The email also promoted community resources (including a donation link for St. Cyprian Food Pantry), street-sweeping/library/park district/schools info, and a local business/job postings, with a pet rescue highlight for “Rescue Me” dog Tiana. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, policy, development, or street-safety meetings or decisions were mentioned.
In Alderperson Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, major zoning and development outreach includes a virtual meeting on Monday, May 11 at 6pm with DPD to discuss a zoning change request for 1940 W Foster (B1-2 to B2-3) tied to redevelopment of the former police station, plus an open feedback period for a special use permit support request related to Step 3 Sober Living at 5155 N Oakley (feedback due May 19). The newsletter also highlights housing/street capital work: the ribbon cutting for the new 37-unit “Haven on Lincoln” non-congregate bridge housing shelter, ongoing construction and traffic-signal/streetscape updates along Lincoln Avenue, and Ashland resurfacing and sidewalk/bumpout improvements with lane closures. Other announcements/events include the 40th Ward Development Town Hall (May 12), Chicago River Day (May 9), CCPSA District 20 meeting on public safety/policing (May 11), and various community events such as Memorial Day flag setup volunteering and Centro Romero’s health fair (May 19).
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert: as of May 8, 2026, the 24th District and SWAT were responding to a mental health crisis at Winchester and Hood, with the area sectioned off and neighbors asked to avoid the scene. The newsletter does not report any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy actions, developments, or funding decisions.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights a federal policy effort: a hearing on Congresswoman Delia Ramirez’s Living Wage for All Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $25, plus a post-shooting “Meet Your Block” walk where neighbors reported safety issues like inadequate lighting, missing signs, and abandoned vehicles. The newsletter also notes the 26th Ward’s ongoing zoning change review process and that the Connecting Neighborhoods Solidarity Bike Ride will be held on May 16. Other ward announcements include the May 15 deadline for property tax exemption applications, an ALSO Peace Walk on May 23, and resources such as the Jumping Jack block party program (opening April 15) and construction alert updates.
Alderman Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) highlighted upcoming and ongoing infrastructure work: CDOT will begin the Fullerton Avenue arterial resurfacing project between Kimball and Lockwood, with a community meeting on May 12 at 6:00 pm, and CDOT also plans California Avenue resurfacing from Byron to Montrose starting June 8. The Department of Water Management continues sewer and lead service line work in the Irving Park area and plans additional water main work on St. Louis/Elston/Grace, with service interruptions noted during connections.
He also announced zoning community meetings and feedback deadlines, including a May 19 meeting on a Belmont Avenue zoning change request (2739–2743 W. Belmont) and an ongoing feedback period for a California/Melrose zoning map amendment ending May 15. Other major items include a May 9 kickoff for the Logan Square Farmers Market, a Chicago River Day volunteer event, and the May 8–14 Know Your Rights Town Hall and Workshop.
Ald. Angela Clay (46th Ward) reports zoning approvals on May 6 for projects at 3611 N. Halsted (enabling 190 new homes total, including 38 affordable units) and 918 W. Eastwood, with City Council passage expected May 20. She also announces Residential Permit Parking moving forward for a one-year trial on Dover (between Montrose and Lawrence) and updates a major Racine water main replacement (including lead service line work) beginning next week.
Other major items include plans for Ward Night Out on May 13, the Uptown Connects Resource Fair on May 21, and the return of the Uptown Farmers Market Wednesdays; the newsletter also highlights SNAP work requirement changes and upcoming citywide business/workforce resources.
Alderperson Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) focused on policy and zoning-related issues affecting the ward, including urging action on bridge-closure traffic impacts, pushing for a written zoning interpretation for ComEd’s proposed substation classification, and supporting an ADU legalization ordinance now in effect (as of April 1). He also discussed introducing legislation to strengthen Chicago’s ethics code for emerging prediction markets and advocated for state revenue measures to support Chicago’s long-term fiscal stability. Other updates/events include community cleanups and Earth Day activities on May 9, the start of work on the Lincoln Gardens and Meadows project, and notices about upcoming public programs and other local announcements.
The newsletter from Alderman Dowell’s Office of the Third Ward focuses on several community events, including a homebuyer event with Treasurer Conyears-Ervin, a community conversation on data centers, and CFD Camp Courage. It also promotes additional outreach such as free baby gates and an Illinois Restaurant Association “Meet the Experts” event, and includes a Mother’s Day greeting from the Alderman and the 3rd Ward Public Service Office team.
Alderman Raymond Lopez’s May 8, 2026 newsletter does not report any zoning/development/housing/transit/budget meetings, ordinances, approvals, or long-term transit service or funding changes; it focuses instead on community events honoring fallen officers. The newsletter also lists several neighborhood constituent-service items (e.g., 50th St resurfacing, abandoned/illegal vehicles towed or removed, board-up and cleaning requests, and tree root/debris removal) and public participation notices including a ballot pickup for the Chavez Renaming of Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academy.
Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) shared May CAPS meeting dates for the 14th and 19th Police Districts and notified residents about a tentative May 11 week schedule for the Greenview/Fullerton water main update, including a lane shift letter and continued installation work. The newsletter also highlights non-zoning items like ongoing spring cleanup (including Chicago River Day), the May street cleaning schedule and reminders, the May 15 deadline to apply for property tax exemptions, and several local community events (including a Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair May 16–17 and a shredding event from the Bucktown Community Organization). In addition, he congratulated Chicago Blackhawks Foundation Junior Youth of the Year winner Kaylin Jones, and included scam, lighting, and other citywide/resource reminders.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) is seeking resident input on a proposed Dog Friendly Area (DFA) within Peanut Park (a section of Maggie Daley Park), noting it is not yet approved and has no identified funding. He also highlights a May 15 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for 401 W Ontario St (Birken Lofts, LLC converting to 57 residences with parking/open-space reductions) and 416-30 W Ohio St (a special use to license an existing 72-space parking lot under the Kennedy Expressway ramp), plus authorizes resurfacing of Montgomery Ward Park’s playground soft surfaces using aldermanic menu funds. Other updates include traffic control aides on Kingsbury Street during Chicago Avenue bridge construction, continued street/CTA and ramp construction and closures (including State/Lake CTA station work through May 22), and notice of upcoming CAPS meetings and community events like the May 9 Girls on the Run 5K in Grant Park.
47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin highlights this year’s planned street resurfacing, listing multiple segments in the ward (including Berteau–Oakley to Bell Campbell–Eastwood to Leland, and others), and provides updates on current roadway/sewer and sidewalk work such as Ashland resurfacing/concrete and related temporary access/parking impacts, plus ongoing CDOT plaza construction for the Western Brown Line. He also reports on budget advocacy in Springfield as Chicago faces a projected $1 billion deficit, and notes work with Chicago Methodist Senior Services to seek federal housing support to rehab aging senior housing buildings in Andersonville. Other major items include the Andersonville Farmers Market reopening May 13, EcoFest on May 30, and a “Follow the Money” webinar on May 26.
In the 33rd Ward, Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez highlights upcoming/community zoning meetings tied to development proposals, including requests to change zoning at 3007–11 W Irving Park Rd (B3-1 to B3-3), 3446 W Irving Park Rd (B3-1 to B3-3), and 4634–36 N Avers Ave (RS-3 to RT-4). The newsletter also notes spring street-sweeping starting April 1 and provides practical resources like block/special event permits, along with continued support related to the Ronan Park encampment situation.
Other major announcements include Neighbor Night at the 33rd Ward office on May 11, plus a May 30 blood drive and a May 9 Community Science Hub event at River Park.
Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) shared an update on the closure of the 87th & Cottage Grove Walgreens and said the community is pursuing stronger investment and improved healthcare access for the corridor, including discussions with mall ownership about potential replacement options such as CVS. The newsletter emphasizes continued engagement and “real progress” despite the store’s closure, but it does not describe specific zoning, development approvals, budget, transit, or street-safety votes or hearings.
In the 10th Ward, Alderman Peter Chico’s newsletter reports that the 95th Street Bridge will be fully closed and lifted from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM on select days May 11–15, 2026 for mechanical repairs and to prepare for the upcoming 92nd Street project; local business access and river traffic will be maintained, with provided detours. Other announcements include the 10th Ward City Services Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 5–7 PM at Rowan Park (11546 S. Avenue L).
16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s newsletter is primarily a weekend service-requests notice, urging residents to report issues to the 16th Ward office or through 311 (311.chicago.gov, the CHI311 app, or by calling 311). It does not include any specific zoning/development, housing/transit/streets, ordinances, or budget or funding decisions.
Other announcements are limited to the office contact information/hours and a prompt to register to vote, along with a general link to community events.
In the 50th Ward newsletter, Alderman Debra Silverstein highlights May 19 (10 AM–2 PM) in-person Rogers Park Township property tax appeal help at the 50th Ward office and reminds residents to apply for 2025 property tax-saving exemptions by May 15. The rest of the update focuses on community events and services, including outdoor office/ice cream socials (starting June 4), a Back to School Giveaway (July 26), and Movie in the Park (August 5), plus info on street sweeping alerts and other city/program announcements.
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s May 8, 2026 newsletter focuses mainly on neighborhood meetings and public-safety updates, including his attendance at Chicago Police Department recognition events and a reminder that the 19th Police District Council meeting on CARE is Wednesday, May 13 at Chicagoland Community Church. The newsletter also promotes housing-related discussion around Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in a recent Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast episode, and includes public-safety and vehicle-theft alerts (including air-bag thefts) and 311 reminders for scooter reporting and potholes. Other announcements include a Ward shredding and electronics recycling event on May 9 (9am–12pm) and several upcoming community events through May, plus ongoing alley resurfacing updates and additional city/job fairs listed in the resource section.