Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Ald. Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) reports on ongoing work to improve safety at Kosciuszko Park, and notes a shooting with a fatality that remains under investigation. The newsletter also announces ward activities and city-led infrastructure updates including upcoming resurfacing and reconfiguration work on Fullerton/ St. Louis, the start of new residential lighting on N. Keystone Ave, and lead service line/sewer work with planned closures on W. Waveland Ave. Other major items include the September 14 Ward Night, a Belmont Blue Line ETOD community survey, upcoming Paseo Prairie Garden work days, and CAPS beat meetings on September 15 and 17.

In the 43rd Ward, Alderman Timmy Knudsen highlights ongoing traffic mitigation efforts tied to the long-closed Cortland Street Bridge and supports a push to remove its landmark designation to speed a long-term solution; he also notes the ADU legalization ordinance that took effect April 1 to expand housing options. The newsletter also promotes recent small business openings along Fullerton and Lincoln (including Piccadilly Market and upcoming openings on Lincoln Avenue), and reminds residents about upcoming Block Heroes/“What Is the Ward?” community engagement, CAPS beat-meeting schedules, and other fall events such as a Box United trivia fundraiser on Sept. 16.

In a 47th Ward update from Ald. Matt Martin, the main policy item is City Council’s License Committee passing legislation he introduced to replace Chicago’s outdated 1999 business licensing system with an integrated, simpler process for businesses. The newsletter also highlights upcoming City service/resource events (including Mobile City Hall with flu shots) and multiple neighborhood happenings, while noting CDOT’s projected completion of Ashland raised crosswalk work with closures through 9/14. Other major announcements include the Ravenswood ArtWalk (Sept. 12–13) and Oktoberfest street festival (Sept. 11–13) near the Western Brown Line plaza, plus a Property Tax Appeals workshop (Sept. 24) and the 19th District council meeting (Sept. 30).

Alderman Matthew J. O’She (19th Ward) marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a remembrance message honoring the victims and first responders and noting ongoing health impacts for many exposed during the recovery efforts. The newsletter also promotes the 18th Annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Family Walk on November 28, including registration deadlines and sponsorship opportunities. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy or meeting updates are included.

In the 50th Ward, Alderman Debra L. Silverstein reports presiding over a License committee hearing regarding the Bally’s casino project’s construction slowdown, pressing Bally’s about potential job and tax-revenue risks; she also joined calls for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration to issue previously approved video gaming terminal (VGT) licenses to Chicago bars and restaurants. The newsletter also shares a construction notice from IDOT for lane closures during Peterson Avenue bridge repairs over the North Shore Channel (through December), and provides local reminders such as the Sept. 24 job fair and property tax bills due Oct. 1.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale’s newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget hearings, or policy/ordinance actions. The only major items are community events: a 9/11 address, the End of Summer Fair tomorrow (Sept. 12) with school supplies and community resources, and “Music in the Parking Lot” tonight (6–9 PM) at 756 E 111th St.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) issued a special edition Patriot Day/Day of Remembrance message marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, commemorating the victims and first responders and noting the long-term health impacts on those exposed. The newsletter also links readers to Chicago firefighter reflections and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s 25th anniversary materials.

This newsletter from Ald. Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) focuses on his campaign effort to get on the ballot for re-election. It announces a campaign kickoff next Saturday, September 19, 10am–1pm at the 28th Ward Democratic Organization, with volunteer options including door-to-door canvassing and help signing/picking up petition sheets. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings/changes are mentioned, nor any other city policy events.

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s newsletter does not mention any zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or ordinance meetings/hearings or policy changes; it focuses instead on residents submitting City service requests (311) for issues like street lights out, tree limbs, and fly dumping. It also reminds neighbors of the 16th Ward service office hours and invites residents to sign up to attend upcoming community events (last chance).

Alderman Tabares (23rd Ward) reports a Sept. 9 press conference urging the administration to begin issuing licenses for video gaming terminals to address pressures on local, especially family-owned, businesses. Other items mention upcoming selection of the next police superintendent (with concerns), and community memorials/murals for fallen officers and victims, plus a candlelight vigil and related announcements. The newsletter also promotes a pancake breakfast fundraising event this Sunday and lists additional city and seniors resources.

In Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter, there are no specific zoning/development/housing/transit/budget hearings or policy/ordinance actions detailed. The main local updates are a Portage Park Neighborhood Bikeways Network update selecting four new bikeways for construction in fall 2026, plus reminders to check Cook County property tax bills for missing exemptions and information on pre-filing 2026 property tax appeals with the Cook County Board of Review. Other notable announcements include Beat Meetings in the ward (with October 7, 14, and 13/23 dates listed for various beats), community events like the Gladstone Park Throwback Music Fest, and Hispanic Heritage Month programming at the Field Museum.

In Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley’s 21st Ward newsletter, the main items are planned September street paving/infrastructure work (e.g., S. Green St., S. Union Ave., W. 108th Pl., S. Lowe Ave., S. Wallace St., and others) and general assistance topics including housing/development questions, plus a Divvy for Everyone bikeshare discount and a Senior Fest bus sign-up for residents 60+. Other announcements include a Subcontractor Outreach and Pre-Bid event for Morgan Park Commons (Sept. 15) and community events such as Maple Park Community Fall Fest, a Powerhouse BBQ Fundraiser, the 79th Street Renaissance Festival, and the Major Taylor Trail bike ride. The bulletin also promotes public-safety updates (SplitSec.AI gunshot-detection pilot trial, CAPS beat meetings) and CPD’s annual budget forum, along with reminders like street-sweeping dates and scam-awareness resources.

In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bennett Lawson solicits public feedback on two proposed zoning changes for 2858 N. Halsted (B3-2 to B2-3) and 920 W. Diversey (B3-2 to B3-5), which would each allow new mixed-use apartment buildings with retail. The newsletter also highlights community input opportunities tied to citywide policing governance—CCPSA’s search for the next Chicago Police Superintendent, including a virtual listening session (Sept. 10) and a community input form. Other major items include resurfacing updates, fall alley reconstruction starting mid-September, and multiple neighborhood events (Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Sept. 19–20; Southport Yard Sale Sept. 19; Clark Street Live and Oktoberfest Sept. 26).

Chicago 34th Ward Ald. (name not provided) highlights public safety following a fatal shooting at the Grant Park Skate Park and announces upcoming CAPS community meetings with the 1st and 12th Police Districts. The newsletter also lists major transportation and street impacts, including a Blue Line bus substitution (Sept. 11–14), weekend downtown traffic restrictions and access points for Mexican Independence Day, and multiple ongoing or upcoming CDOT/CTA construction closures and detours (including State/Lake station demolition/closure context and other bridge/road work updates). Other major announcements include El Grito (Sept. 12–13 in Grant Park), Shofar in the Park (Sept. 13), and community events such as Printers Row Lit Fest and Madison Row Fest (both Sept. 12–13).

Alderman Walter Red Burnett (27th Ward) is inviting residents to “Bike The 27th Ward,” an 8-mile community ride led by him and the Fulton Market Grand Prix (ages 13+), to celebrate the end of summer. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street safety meetings, policy changes, approvals, or spending decisions; it’s focused on the event and RSVP via the provided link/QR code.

48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth announced an ordinance to lower residential speed limits across the 48th Ward from 25 to 20 mph as a Vision Zero effort, alongside ongoing street-safety improvements including safer crosswalks/greenways and a DOT construction start for a new Broadway refuge island at Norwood. She also promoted renter-policy action: her support for the proposed “Protecting Renters Ordinance” to modernize Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, and a city “One-Stop Shop” ordinance to streamline business licensing and permitting. Other major items include a 2026 community survey, several ward health and community events (including Senior Fest, the Edgewater Monday Market, and local mobile town hall/DMV services), and construction updates for DWM water main and sewer repair work around Bryn Mawr/Catalpa/Broadway/Red Line.

This newsletter from 6th Ward Central is an announcement for a community event to celebrate the newly renovated Cole (Nat King) Park, featuring a new pickleball court and walking path (Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 PM at 361 E. 85th St.). No zoning, housing, transit, budget, ordinances, development approvals, or street safety policy actions are mentioned.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) did not report any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings/hearings or policy/ordinance actions in this newsletter. Instead, he updates residents on Mexican Independence Day city events from September 11–16, including downtown traffic enforcement/possible street closures, OEMC’s Emergency Operations Center monitoring, and access points such as Halsted/Washington and Halsted/Jackson, with guidance to allow extra travel time and use NotifyChicago alerts.

The newsletter from the 6th Ward Central 6th Ward announces a community event on Thursday, September 10 at Cole (Nat King) Park (361 E. 85th St.) to celebrate a newly renovated park, including a new pickleball court and walking path. Other than promoting this park investment and festivities, it does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget decisions, policy changes, or hearings.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) announced a Paper Shredding & E-Recycling event on Sunday, September 13 at 382 E Huron (Northwestern Parking Lot), with instructions for vehicle entry/exit and limits on the amount of documents for shredding. The newsletter does not report any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy changes, and mainly highlights this community event co-hosted by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, 2nd Ward Committeeman Tim Egan, and Northwestern University.