Brian Hopkins

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.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents of Streeterville filming by Universal Television, with full street closures on East Lake Shore Drive and parking restrictions on Walton St and East Lake Shore Drive from February 11‑13, 2026. The notice highlights temporary NO PARKING/TOW ZONE and police‑supervised traffic control. No other policy, development, or budget updates were provided.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted a Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce meeting where business development and the 2026 city budget were reviewed. He also advanced a bridge‑closure ordinance (2‑102‑110) to the full council, requiring CDOT to present traffic‑impact plans for long‑term bridge work, and secured a CAWS reclamation study resolution to fund further waterway cleanup. Additional notes include the office closure for Lincoln’s birthday, upcoming primary election details, and community events such as a spring shred and movies in the park.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announced a helicopter lift operation at 1130 N Dearborn St on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, requiring full street closures on Clark, Dearborn, and Elm between Maple and Division. Local traffic will still be able to access garages on Dearborn via Elm during the lift. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals were mentioned.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted community events such as the 3rd Annual Harold Ramis Day, the Movies in the Park survey, and the upcoming 2nd Ward Shred Event, while also attending the SOAR and Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce meetings. He also provided updates on the March 17 Primary Election, early‑voting sites, and a pet‑adoption event. Additional community activities include the Indoor Farmers Market, Valentine’s Day Dance, and various local dinners and summits.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlights upcoming public‑safety meetings, including the 18th Police District Council meeting on Jan. 27 and the Chicago Police CAPS beat meetings, and urges residents to submit feedback on the Personal Delivery Devices pilot program. He also reminds constituents of the March 17 primary election, the DMV REAL ID Saturday hours ending Feb. 1, and the March 8 Shred event, while promoting local events such as Restaurant Week, the indoor farmers market, and the Girls in Sports Summit. No zoning, development, budget, or transit policy changes were announced in this edition.

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 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.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the “Time and Site” curfew ordinance passed the Committee on Public Safety 11‑4 and will be voted on by the full City Council on Wednesday, January 21. The office also announced that the 1800 N Clybourn site will be redeveloped under its current zoning, with demolition slated to begin soon and an addition of roughly 40,000 sq ft of retail space. The newsletter notes that the Holiday Tree Recycling program ends January 17 and lists several community events, including a weekly indoor farmers market and the O’Hare “Moment” submission deadline.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announced that the shared‑cost sidewalk program opens on January 12, allowing property owners to split the cost of sidewalk replacement. He also highlighted the ribbon‑cutting for Zaza’s Pizzeria’s new Lincoln Park location, a recent development approval in the ward. Other key announcements include the holiday tree‑recycling program ending January 17, a public‑service warning about text‑scam fraud, a city‑wide “Name a Snowplow” contest, the O’Hare Moment submission drive, the Wells Street Art Festival vendor application deadline, chair‑yoga classes at Near North Library, Friday noonday concerts at Fourth Presbyterian, and Chicago Restaurant Week beginning January 23.

Alderman Hopkins’ 2nd‑Ward newsletter for December 29 2025 focuses on community events rather than city‑wide policy. It highlights the New Year’s Eve celebration road and bridge closures, a “Name a Snowplow” contest, holiday tree‑recycling dates, a noon party at the Near North Library, and mental‑health resources. The message also notes that city offices, including the 2nd‑Ward office, will be closed on New Year’s Day (January 1).

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board has endorsed his proposed curfew ordinance to curb teen takeovers, and that CTA will implement new bus reroutes in Streeterville to reduce traffic congestion. He also announces the opening of a Fresh Market grocery store at 1233 N Wells St and reminds residents of their sidewalk snow‑removal responsibilities under city ordinance. Additional highlights include the Menorah Lighting ceremony, the 29th Annual Christmas in the Wards, and upcoming library and community events.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs neighbors that TPS Production Services will film the movie "Tis So Sweet" on December 11, 2025, with parking restrictions on the south side of E Pearson St. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects are announced in this issue. Residents can contact the location managers or the City Film Office for questions.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the city council’s alternative budget proposal—he co‑signed—was rejected by Mayor Johnson, underscoring a key budget decision for the ward. The ward also notes the enforcement of Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban and the municipal ordinance requiring property owners to clear sidewalks, both affecting parking and street safety. Additional updates include the upcoming 18th Police District Council meeting on December 16, the 18th District holiday toy‑drive deadline, and community events such as the Near North Library’s December calendar and the Millennium Park holiday sing‑along.

On December 15, Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward will host a virtual meeting to update residents on the mixed‑use development at 1120‑30 N State St, following a 2021 zoning change that allowed construction. Convexity Properties, the new owner, plans a smaller mixed‑use project for the site, replacing the vacant retail space. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the Gold Coast and address community concerns about the long‑vacant property.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announces the city’s winter overnight parking ban, effective December 1 through April 1, a new ordinance that will enforce towing and fines for vehicles parked on 107 miles of main streets during early‑morning hours. The newsletter also reports that $75 million of Chicago bonds went unsold in November, underscoring fiscal challenges that may affect future budget decisions. Additional updates include a call for community feedback on the OIG 2026 plan, a winter‑weather preparedness app, and several holiday events such as the Joy of Toys and a Christmas tree lighting.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that garbage carts for Thursday pickups should be made accessible on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, because of the Thanksgiving holiday; the Department of Streets and Sanitation will work ahead and collect on Friday if needed. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street‑safety projects are announced in this issue.

Alderman Brian Hopkins highlighted a City Club conversation on the 2026 budget and addressed a recent budget hearing where the head tax was struck down, underscoring the council’s focus on fiscal policy. He also reiterated his push for a citywide curfew ordinance to curb youth violence, following a recent violent shooting after the Loop tree‑lighting event. Other updates included a reminder that the 2nd Ward office will be closed for Thanksgiving, a call to participate in the Chicago Police Training Survey, the extension of street sweeping through December 12, and community events such as the Small Business Saturday shop‑local drive and the 18th District holiday toy drive.

Al Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the city’s 2026 budget will not include the proposed head‑tax and that he continues to oppose property‑tax hikes, urging cuts to the growing corporate‑fund surplus. He also urged the Chicago Department of Transportation to address traffic congestion from bridge closures by adding traffic aides and tightening moratoriums, and introduced an ordinance that would give investigators easier access to business security‑camera footage. In addition, the newsletter highlights a care‑package drive for deployed CPD officers, a coffee‑with‑the‑commander event, and several holiday‑season community activities.