Brian Hopkins

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a Lincoln Park filming courtesy notice: DePaul Television will film scenes for “Spur of the Moment” on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with parking restrictions along the east side of N Janssen Ave near 2257–2253 N Janssen Ave (NO PARKING/TOW ZONE postings). The notice directs residents to the location manager and on-site coordinator for concerns, and notes the Chicago Police Department will supervise traffic control.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) is co-hosting a virtual community meeting with SOAR to gather resident feedback on a development proposal for 201 E Walton Place, including a phased renovation and conversion from a Sonesta Extended Stay hotel into fully renovated elevated rental apartments. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM (Zoom registration link provided). No other zoning, housing policy, budget, or transit/streets items are announced in this newsletter beyond this meeting.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared CDOT’s permit for crane lift operations at 777 N Michigan Ave (April 10–12), including full closures of Michigan Avenue (Superior St–Pearson St) and time-limited closures of Chicago Avenue for crane setup/dismantling, with posted detours. The newsletter notes his office is not authorized to weigh in on these permit issuances, and points residents to the CDOT traffic control and detour maps.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) highlights that 2026 street sweeping is underway and urges residents not to park under “L” viaducts, noting it violates Chicago Municipal Code. The newsletter also announces City Clerk Amnesty Month (waiving sticker late fees/back charges through April 30) and the April 16 meeting with Gold Coast Neighbors Association building managers on insurance costs. Other items include a FOX 32 interview on teen “takeover” safety and curfew policy, public safety updates for the 18th District CAPS schedule, and several upcoming events such as EXPO Chicago (April 9–12), Earth Day cleanups (April 18), and City/Library programs including “Law at the Library” (April 15) and Earth Day–related events.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that the Chicago Film Office will be issuing filming permits for the show "Chicago Fire" in River North and Near North on April 7–8, 2026. The notice details specific parking restrictions and intermittent traffic control on Sedgwick, Hudson, Locust, and Orleans Streets, and advises residents to contact the film office or the alderman's office for questions.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) notified neighbors of helicopter lift operations on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 8:00–10:00 AM at 1255 N Sandburg Terrace, including temporary road closures on N LaSalle Drive, W Goethe St, and N Clark St. The notice says CDOT issued the permit for Midwest Helicopter Airways to lift HVAC units and directs residents to view the permit. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street safety policy meetings or approvals are mentioned; this is strictly a neighborhood operations/traffic notice.

Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward newsletter highlights citywide operational and policy items: the 2026 street sweeping schedule begins April 1, and City Sticker late fees/back charges are waived during Amnesty Month at the City Clerk through April 30. He also points to a new 30-year Cook County property tax study showing taxes rose 182% since 1995 (more than double inflation) and reiterates opposition to proposed property tax increases. Other announcements include a statewide e-bike safety initiative, an EXPO Chicago art fair at Navy Pier April 9–12, and his Earth Day cleanup sponsorship at Lake Shore and Seneca Parks on April 18.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the Chicago Department of Transportation has issued a permit for Stevenson Crane Service, Inc. to conduct crane lift operations at 1523 N Fremont St from March 26 to March 28, 2026, with work scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the first two days and a weather‑delay buffer on the third.

On March 24, Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announced policy changes including the freeze of tipped wage increases, the launch of the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate program, and a statewide e‑bike safety initiative. He also highlighted community updates such as the start of the 2026 street‑sweeping schedule, a call for pothole reports, and the memorial services for Firefighter Michael Altman. Additional events include the 18th District Easter egg hunt, the OTMRA networking event, and the upcoming Clean & Green Day of Service.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reminds residents that Election Day is today, March 17 2026, and that all polling locations will be open until 7:00 p.m. He urges voters to bring two forms of ID, to drop off any Vote‑by‑Mail ballots at a Vote Center, and to contact the Board of Election Commissioners or his office for any questions. No meetings, policy changes, or development updates are announced in this newsletter.

Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward newsletter for March 16, 2026 contains no zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes. The focus is on election‑day logistics, USPS service delays, and community events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a 312 Day wedding, and a ribbon‑cutting for Chicago Estate Advisors. Other highlights include the Coffee With The Commander meeting, a 18th District police council meeting, and several local neighborhood and cultural events.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reminds voters that the USPS will no longer guarantee a same‑day postmark for vote‑by‑mail ballots after December 24, 2025, and urges them to mail their ballots at least one week before Election Day on March 17, 2026. He lists secure drop‑box locations throughout the ward and nearby post offices where voters can obtain a manual postmark, ensuring their ballots are counted. The message also notes that ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by March 31 to be processed.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted the completion of a street‑safety project on the Magnificent Mile, with 22 new bollards installed on Michigan Avenue funded through the Bally’s Community Agreement and approved by the City Council. He also reminded residents that early voting for the March 17 primary is underway at several 2nd Ward sites and urged voters to register or update their information before the March 12 deadline. In addition, the newsletter promoted community events such as the “I Love River North” happy hour, the annual Chicago River dyeing, and the Shamrock and Roll St. Patrick’s Day festival, while calling for volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team spring training.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward notes that city offices will be closed for Casimir Pulaski Day, early voting will begin March 2, and the 2nd Ward Shred Event is scheduled for March 8. Residents are reminded of the March 17 primary election and a range of community events, including the Polar Plunge, White Rooster theater, and Ohio Street Beach Cleanup. Additional highlights include a Cook County Board President forum on March 5 and early‑voting site details for the 2nd Ward.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that Minim Productions will film the TV show "The Fugitive" in Lincoln Park from March 3–5, 2026, with detailed parking restrictions and police‑supervised traffic control. The notice lists the affected streets and times, and provides contact information for questions or concerns. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street redesign projects are mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that a full street closure will occur on Dearborn St from Elm to Division St from February 27 to March 1, 2026, due to crane lift operations by Stevenson Crane Service, Inc. The closure will affect vehicular access but allow flowing traffic on Elm St. No other events are announced.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reported that the City Council approved zoning for the Foundry Park development, but he voted no due to missing infrastructure commitments such as a new bridge and street reconfiguration. He also noted Mayor Johnson’s veto of an ordinance banning intoxicating hemp products, a policy change he opposed. Outside of council business, the newsletter announced the opening of the SOAR Gourmet Market, a memorial for Commander Paul Bauer, and several community events including the 27th Chicago Irish Film Festival and a spring flower show.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that Universal Television will film in the Gold Coast from February 24–26, 2026, with specific parking restrictions and no‑parking zones on several streets. The notice includes contact details for the film office and on‑site coordinators. No other policy, development, or budget announcements are included.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents of filming by Open 4 Business Productions for "Chicago Fire" in Lincoln Park, detailing dates, times, parking restrictions, and traffic control. The notice highlights no‑parking zones and simulated smoke effects scheduled for February 20, 2026, and provides contact information for concerns.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that Universal Television will film in the Gold Coast on February 19, 2026, with extensive parking restrictions and a full street closure on Dearborn St. The notice provides contact information for the film office and local coordinators.