Brian Hopkins

In Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward, the focus is on major transportation and streetscape updates: CDOT plans to begin the Division Street streetscape (Dearborn to State) in mid-July, and the CTA announced service improvements for bus routes #134, #65, and the #10. The newsletter also highlights ongoing infrastructure work (including resurfacing, lighting replacements, and rapid flashing beacons) and notes IDOT weekend ramp closures at the Ohio and Ontario feeder ramps on June 26 (10:00 pm–5:00 am). Other items include the June 23 18th Police District Council meeting, a June 24 Get Behind the Vest fundraiser, and community events such as Cravings on Clark on June 24 and upcoming garden walks (Sheffield July 18–19 and Dearborn July 19).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) announced City of Chicago offices will close for Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, and highlighted CPD public-safety work including an ordinance advanced in Committee on Public Safety to donate explosive magazines to the Waukegan Bomb Squad, plus a June 18 “Coffee with the 18th District Commander” meeting. He also shared general ward infrastructure updates and construction impacts, including upcoming ramp closures at the Ohio and Ontario feeder ramps (June 26) and weekend Red Line track closures through Monday, June 22 (Fullerton to Cermak-Chinatown). Other announcements include tree-debris cleanup guidance after recent storms, delayed Cook County property tax bills, and ward events such as the SOAR Farmers Market ribbon-cutting on June 16 and the “Get Behind the Vest” fundraiser on June 24.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlights ongoing infrastructure work and pedestrian-safety improvements, including Division St streetscape upgrades, Southport/Belden intersection reconstruction, and funded rapid flashing beacon installations at LaSalle/Delaware and LaSalle/Burton; he also notes weekend transit disruptions with CTA Red Line track work through Monday, June 22. He announces key dates and impacts in the ward such as planned IDOT weekend ramp closures (June 12, June 26, July 17, with a July 24 backup) and temporary Old Town parking restrictions for the Wells Street Art Festival (June 13–14). Other major announcements include participation in the 1901 Project groundbreaking ceremony at the United Center and the debut of Mag Mile public art installations (“Moments of Stillness”) running through November 2026, plus the June 24 “Get Behind the Vest” fundraiser and several community events (e.g., SOAR Farmers Market ribbon-cutting on June 16 and Summer Story Time on June 11).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) advises residents about filming in Lincoln Park for the short film “Late Bloomer” by Budding Productions on Monday, June 8, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), with temporary parking restrictions and NO PARKING/TOW ZONE areas around 1517–1513 W Fullerton Ave. The notice does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy decisions or hearings; it mainly covers filming logistics and contacts for concerns.

In Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward newsletter, he highlights an 18th Police District Council resident survey about recent Mayor Johnson appointments to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), plus a CTA notice that Red Line tracks will be closed for weekend repairs until Monday, June 22 (normal service resumes weekdays). The newsletter also notes the Sheffield Neighborhood Association’s 55th Annual Garden Walk (July 18–19) and other upcoming events including Skinversity’s opening in Lincoln Park, the Lookingglass Theatre free performance of “Ice Cream Circus” (June 2), and SOAR Farmers Market’s 12th anniversary ribbon-cutting (June 16).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) is co-hosting a community meeting on June 10, 2026 to provide an update from Northwestern Medicine on its proposed cancer center at the vacant parcel bounded by Fairbanks Court, Huron Street, McClurg Court, and Erie Street, including changes to traffic circulation and preliminary construction logistics. The newsletter also notes a video rendering will be shared and registration is required (in-person at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital or via Zoom webinar). No other policy, zoning, budget, transit, or street-safety actions are announced in this newsletter.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) notified residents of filming in Streeterville on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, 2026 (5:00 am–11:00 pm). Parking restrictions with possible “no parking/tow zone” postings are expected along Delaware Place due to production parking, with traffic control supported by the Chicago Police Department; concerns can be directed to the on-site and production supervisors listed in the notice.

In the 2nd Ward newsletter, Alderman Brian Hopkins shared an update on CDOT’s Cortland Street Bridge rehabilitation, noting ongoing disruption from multiple North Side bridge closures while stating pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. He also reiterated that an ordinance he passed requires CDOT to notify the City Council of non-emergency bridge closures before repairs, and referenced related City Council action on a Jewish American Heritage Month resolution. Other highlights include the holiday office closure and Memorial Day refuse schedule, plus community events such as the Sueños Chicago Music Festival at Grant Park (May 23–24) and Navy Pier’s summer fireworks beginning May 23, along with announcements for local markets, festivals, and a June 2 Lookingglass Theatre event at Seneca Park.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a notice that DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts students will be filming “My Baby, My Girl” in the Gold Coast on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with NO PARKING/TOW ZONE and parking restrictions on the west side of N Clark St between W Germania Pl and 1555 N Clark St. The email directs residents to the location manager and on-site coordinator for concerns and notes support by the Chicago Police Department, with additional information available from the Chicago Film Office.

In the 2nd Ward newsletter, Alderman Brian Hopkins highlights a Transportation and the Public Way committee vote recommending William Cheaks as the next CDOT Commissioner, noting his hopes for improved communication and efficiency after past major bridge closures. The newsletter also promotes public meetings/events including “Coffee with the 18th District Commander” (May 21) and the 18th Police District Council monthly meeting (May 26), plus SOAR’s opening of the farmers market (May 19). It further lists community and citywide events such as the Get Behind the Vest fundraiser (June 24), Sueños Chicago (May 23–24), and the Magnificent Mile Art Festival (May 30–31).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlights temporary changes tied to the Division Streetscape project: the 2026 Division Street Farmers Market will move two blocks west (between Clark and Wells) for the market season due to construction starting in June/July 2026. Hopkins also supported an ordinance amendment to the Native and Pollinator Garden Registry (O2026-0022796) raising the maximum permitted height of native gardens to 36 inches, and announced menu-fund support for the Lincoln Monument Gardens and Meadows restoration in Lincoln Park. Other updates include an announcement that 18th District Sergeant Schenk received the Commander Paul R. Bauer Award, plus upcoming events such as the SOAR Farmers Market opening May 19 and the Magnificent Mile Art Festival May 30–31.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a CDOT-permitted neighborhood notice for helicopter lift operations at 541 N Fairbanks Ct on Saturday, May 9, 2026, including road and pedestrian walkway closures nearby from about 7:45–9:00 AM and possible parking restrictions on parts of Grand Ave and Columbus Dr. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or policy meetings or decisions. It primarily advises residents to review the permit diagram for affected areas.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) reported co-hosting a community meeting on redevelopment at 201 E Walton St and supporting a zoning change to convert the Sonesta Extended Stay Suites back to its original 221-unit residential use, with renovations and added amenities. He also said his City Council work will amend the Native and Pollinator Garden Registry parameters (heard in Environmental Protection and Energy on Monday, May 11), and he highlighted CDOT spring bridge lifts beginning along the Chicago River. Other major updates include the start of National Small Business Week through May 9, a ribbon-cutting for Illinois Secretary of State’s new downtown Business Services Center at 160 N LaSalle St, a St. Jude Police Memorial March attendance, and upcoming community events such as Good Memories Choir’s spring concert (May 5) and an Alzheimer’s/dementia education event at the Near North Library (May 15).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a neighborhood notice for the St. Jude Memorial March on Sunday, May 3, 2026, including the parade route and related street closures/no-parking restrictions from early morning through midday. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy actions or meetings.

Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward newsletter focuses on public safety following the shooting of two Chicago Police officers, urging scrutiny of SAFE-T-related release decisions and noting the amnesty period. It also highlights 18th District CAPS events (including the April 28 Police District Council meeting and court-advocacy signups), spring bridge lifts under way, and 2026 street sweeping now on the regular schedule, plus Near North and SOAR/community events (Older Adult Resource Fair April 28, Cardz for Kidz May 3, and the final Indoor SOAR farmers market April 30).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlights City of Chicago street sweeping now underway, with residents able to track sweepers in real time; cleaning is scheduled for April 21–22 (Sections 3–5), April 23–24 (Section 6), and April 27 (Section 7). The newsletter also notes spring bridge lifts beginning April 22 (CDOT raising 27 bridges from S Ashland Ave to N Lake Shore Dr) and an April 28 meeting of the 18th Police District Council. Other major items include Amnesty Month at the City Clerk’s Office ending April 30 (waiving certain sticker late fees/back charges), Amnesty Week at the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk starting April 27, and several community events (Earth Day park clean-up recap, wellness walks at Lake Shore Park starting April 22, and the One Earth Film Festival April 22–27).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a Chicago Film Office courtesy notice that CynCity Productions will film “Fried Catfish” in Old Town on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (5:00 am–9:00 pm), with nearby no-parking/tow zones and parking restrictions on parts of Cleveland Ave and North Ave. The notice directs residents to the location manager with questions and notes traffic control support by the Chicago Police Department. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or other policy/streets meetings or decisions were mentioned.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a neighborhood notice from CDOT about helicopter lift operations at 1255 N Sandburg Terrace on Saturday, April 18, from 8:00–10:00 a.m., lifting HVAC units; it was rescheduled from April 4 due to weather. During that time, parts of N La Salle Drive, W Goethe St, and N Clark St will be closed. Other announcements were not included beyond this permit notice.

In Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward, the newsletter highlights citywide street-sweeping starting now and an April 18 Earth Day cleanup at Lake Shore and Seneca Parks (plus other upcoming community events like the Sheffield Neighborhood Association annual meeting). It also notes local conservation and outreach efforts with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and provides public safety and government updates, including a CAPS coffee with the 18th District commander, a BACP small business webinar (April 15), and City Clerk Amnesty Month ending April 30. Other announcements include the opening of Noema Greek Gastrobar (April 15) and a Chicago Public Library performance at Near North Library on April 22.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a CDOT courtesy notice that permits for helicopter lift operations do not require aldermanic approval. On Saturday, April 11, 2026 (8:00–10:00 a.m.), Midwest Helicopter Airways will lift HVAC units at 445 E Ohio St, with road closures on Grand Ave (between McClurg Ct and the Lake Shore Drive ramp) and Ohio at McClurg Ct during those hours. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety hearings/ordinances or other major ward events were mentioned.