Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

The newsletter announces that the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program applications open on Monday, January 12th (6 am–10 pm CST). No alderman or ward is named, and no other meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects are mentioned.

The Third Ward alderman's office highlighted several community initiatives, including the launch of the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on January 12 and the final submission deadline for the city’s annual "You Name a Snowplow" contest on January 10. Residents are also encouraged to apply for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants, with the next deadline on February 13, and to take advantage of the Mobile DMV service and various UChicago youth programs. Additional updates include police alerts on armed robberies and a reminder that the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program requires re‑application each year.

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward invites residents to a community‑wide meeting on January 12 at St. James Community Church to discuss the 2026 agenda and the 6th Ward Forward Initiative. The event includes a constituent hour at 4:30 PM followed by the meeting at 6:00 PM, offering a forum for residents to voice questions and ideas. For more information, contact the 6th Ward Office at 773‑241‑3100 or visit 8541 S. State Street.

Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez invites residents to several zoning‑and‑development‑focused meetings, including the ZAB Community Meeting on Jan. 22 and the TIF Review Committee on Jan. 29, where decisions on local development and tax‑increment financing will be discussed. The ward also announces the opening of the 2026 CDOT Shared‑Cost Sidewalk Program on Jan. 12 and encourages participation in holiday recycling drives for lights and trees. Additional community gatherings include the Café con el Concejal on Jan. 17 and the First Community Meeting of 2026 on Jan. 31 at the Chicago Liberation Center.

The 41st Ward Alderman Anthony Napolitano announces the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, opening on January 12, 2026, allowing property owners to apply for low‑cost sidewalk repairs before January 8. The program is limited by available funds and offers extra discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. Additional updates include a campaign to ban online “hotel‑houses,” business‑support resources, and a reminder to sign up for the ward’s text alerts.

Alderman Taliaferro of the 29th Ward sent a New Year greeting; no meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects were announced.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward announces the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, which opens Monday, January 12 from 6 am to 10 pm and allows property owners to share sidewalk‑repair costs with the city at a rate below private contractors. Applications are accepted only through the city’s 311 system or by calling the 38th Ward Office (773‑283‑3838). No additional meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced that the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will hold a special meeting on January 8 to hear public comments on CPD‑ICE interactions. The ward also highlighted the launch of CDOT’s 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, opening for applications on January 12 as part of street‑safety efforts. Additionally, the newsletter reported the ward’s 2025 public‑safety statistics and La Spata’s upcoming family leave for the arrival of a second child.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein of the 50th Ward announces a new Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, letting residents share the cost of sidewalk repairs with the city. The program will run Monday, January 12, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and applications are accepted on a first‑come, first‑served basis via 311 or the city website. Residents are urged to apply promptly to secure a spot before capacity is reached.

The 16th Ward newsletter from Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman does not list any meetings, hearings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects. It provides practical information such as office hours, contact details, and links to resources for voting, volunteering, property appeals, and community services. The bulletin also highlights the ward’s police districts and offers links to senior, veteran, and educational resources.

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.

On January 5, Alderman Ruth Cruz of the 30th Ward announced that the city’s new Additional Dwelling Unit ordinance has been adopted for the ward, allowing up to three ADUs per block in most single‑family areas while excluding precincts 1, 4, 9, and 21. The ward also highlighted the upcoming public vote on four design options for a new splash pad at Chopin Park, backed by a $150,000 capital‑improvement grant from the state. Other key updates include the opening of the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program application on January 12, a complimentary holiday tree‑pickup event on January 10, and winter‑weather safety reminders for residents.

On December 29 the Committee on Budget and Government Operations met to finalize the city budget, and the 11th Ward will have no Zoning Committee meetings scheduled for January 2026 due to a chair‑appointment delay, with City Council and committee meetings set for January 14, 17 and 21. The Department of Planning and Development will hold a webinar on January 7 to explain small grants up to $250,000 for commercial, mixed‑use and light‑manufacturing projects, while street resurfacing and ADA‑compliant corner work on Wentworth, residential lighting upgrades on S Parnell and S Hillock, and a major sewer and water‑main replacement project that will close portions of 33rd Street through January are underway. Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee also highlighted the 100th‑anniversary celebration of Filbert’s Root Beer, a birthday tribute to longtime resident Caroline Garcia, concerns over Affordable Care Act subsidy lapses, and a public‑safety alert about burglary activity and a smishing scam.

Alderwoman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward reports a fatal shooting on North Sheridan and urges residents to contact detectives and attend the next beat meeting on February 24 at 7 p.m. at Margate Field House. She stresses her commitment to partnering with police and community groups to curb gun violence and highlights the Safe 48 Health and Safety Plan as a key resource. The newsletter also provides contact information for crime‑victim services, mental‑health support, and a reminder that the office will continue to issue crime alerts during business hours.

Alfred Conway, alderman of the 34th Ward, announced a new overnight parking ban (3 am‑7 am) and the closure of the State/Lake elevated station for demolition, which will suspend CTA service at that stop until 2029. Major infrastructure spending continues with the Canal Street Viaduct, Lake Street Bascule Bridge, Halsted/Chicago Ave Bridge, and Ashland/I‑290 Expressway projects, and the Wacker Drive pedestrian path has been moved into a protected lane for safety. The 34th Ward Office is now open, the city’s tree‑recycling program is running, and residents are invited to volunteer with Hope’s Table and apply for city jobs.

Ald. Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward reports that the City Council approved the final 2026 budget, a $16.6 billion plan that preserves permanent funding for the CARE program, supports youth jobs, and allocates resources for early‑childhood workers and police vacancies. He invites residents to attend the 25th‑Ward community calendar, including a Café con Concejal on Jan. 17, a Mental Health Summit on Jan. 24, and the first community meeting of 2026 on Jan. 31 at the Chicago Liberation Center. The office also highlights holiday recycling initiatives—non‑working lights collection at 2100 W Cermak and the city’s tree‑recycling program from Jan. 3‑17—and encourages residents to contact the ward office for assistance with property‑tax or rent concerns.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward reports that the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy (EPE) secured the passage of Green Social Housing through full City Council and referred the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance to the Committee on Zoning, while the Shoreline Advisory Board appointees were approved and its first meeting convened. EPE also held a series of subject‑matter hearings in March, May, June, July, and September on topics ranging from public‑health environmental enforcement to single‑use plastics and ComEd summer preparedness. Additional updates highlighted outreach events such as quarterly Northside Green Mixers, the launch of EPE’s social media pages, and a preview of 2026 initiatives.

Alderman Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward urged residents to avoid CTA rides after sundown until safety improvements are made and announced the temporary closure of the State/Lake Loop station for a modern replacement. He also noted the Chicago School Board’s property‑tax hike to close the budget gap and the city’s decision not to veto the mayor’s budget, underscoring fiscal and infrastructure priorities. Additional updates included a new snowplow‑naming contest, a local business spotlight, and reminders about garbage‑collection schedules for the holiday.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward reports no meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street redesigns in this newsletter. She reflects on a challenging 2025, thanks constituents, and announces a year‑in‑review video and staff highlights. The office will be closed until January 7, 2026, with staff development on January 5.