On October 16, Mayor Johnson unveiled a $16.6 billion budget proposal that the 49th Ward’s Alderwoman Maria Hadden will now forward to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Budget, with a full City Council vote slated for November 20. The proposal introduces new revenue measures—such as a Community Safety Surcharge, a Social Media Amusement & Responsibility Tax, an online sports wagering tax, a rideshare congestion surcharge, and a yacht tax—alongside adjustments to the Personal Property Leasing Tax, a $200 million police overtime line item, and a 2 % houseshare surcharge for gender‑based violence funding. Other updates note the alderwoman’s medical leave, the results of a 96‑resident budget survey, and the impact of a recent property‑tax reassessment on residents’ bills.
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.
Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward reports no zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes this week. The primary announcements are the Q4 Green Mixer on Wednesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. at The Western Bar & Kitchen, and the End‑of‑Year Volunteer Celebration on Thursday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Ashley, the Community and Communications Outreach Coordinator, for details.
On November 18, Alderman Byron Sigcho‑López hosted a hybrid Southwest Side Budget Townhall to discuss city budget priorities and spending decisions. He also joined Mayor Brandon Johnson in signing Emergency Executive Order 2025‑09, directing city resources to support food access amid federal SNAP cuts. The newsletter also highlights community events such as a Hot Meal Giveaway on Nov. 18 and 30, a free visit to the Art Institute on Dec. 9, and a free mobility‑equipment diagnostic and repair program.
On November 15, Ald. Maria Hadden’s 49th Ward office announced a community meeting on Nov. 19 to discuss a 5‑story affordable‑housing proposal at 7644 N Sheridan Rd that requires no zoning change. The ward also noted upcoming infrastructure work—tree trimming on Nov. 17 and paving of W Farwell Ave (6900 N) scheduled for Nov. 18—along with a reminder of the Chicago Heat Ordinance and CDOT’s e‑scooter safety guidelines. Other highlights include a new “Know Your Rights” training for businesses, a volunteer‑led snow‑shoveling program, and community events such as the CACC Draft Picks pet‑adoption fair and the Rogers Park Singers’ rehearsal schedule.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a Community Safety Town Hall on Nov. 19 to discuss safety and legislative updates and urged residents to participate in the city budget survey to shape fiscal priorities. She also highlighted the federal ICE ruling that enforces the 2022 settlement protecting residents from warrantless stops and the ongoing review of ICE detentions. In addition, she celebrated the Fuerza de La Mujer event at NEIU and organized an IDJ card‑signing to support families of incarcerated loved ones.
Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez’s 33rd Ward newsletter reports that City Council held a public hearing on the Mayor’s 2026 budget, with the alderwoman urging a shift of tax burdens toward large corporations and highlighting the proposed Community Safety Surcharge to fund youth jobs, violence intervention, and public‑school investment. She also announced the lifting of the liquor moratorium on a stretch of N Elston Ave—an ordinance amendment that will allow on‑site liquor licenses—and reminded residents of upcoming zoning and development meetings posted on the ward’s website. Other highlights include a budget‑survey call‑to‑action, updates on the Community Safety Surcharge, and a calendar of community events such as animal adoption, food drives, and a Thanksgiving meal kit.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reports several street‑safety and redesign projects, including a rescheduled street‑sweeping schedule, ongoing Halsted arterial resurfacing, an alley reconstruction effort, and a request for residents to report potholes. Other highlights include the opening of two new restaurants, a community food drive, multiple holiday tree‑lighting celebrations, a resolution honoring Loyola alum Sister Jean, and a reminder that the office will close early for Thanksgiving. The newsletter also notes that budget negotiations are underway and encourages residents to stay informed through the Better Government Association’s website.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the CTA #124 bus will begin earlier—departing Navy Pier at 8:08 a.m. on December 21—while a new sidewalk has been installed at the Lake Shore Drive/Elm St bus stop to improve rider safety. The office will be closed on Veterans Day (November 11) and a care‑package drive for deployed CPD heroes is underway, with additional community events such as the RNRA gala, Old Town tree lighting, and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival highlighted for the month. These updates underscore the ward’s focus on transit accessibility, street‑level improvements, and civic engagement.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward outlines 2026 budget priorities, keeping staffing for housing, planning and small‑business development, adding 25 parking‑enforcement aides, and preserving ARPA‑funded public‑safety investments while proposing a budget amendment to restore domestic‑violence services and counter library‑book cuts. He will pursue greater transparency on speed‑camera revenue, introduce an ordinance on pension payments, and address the 12‑month hiring freeze to protect essential services, noting the recent budget town‑hall at Goethe Elementary. Other updates include a Veterans Day office closure, the reopening of Park #399, the launch of 2026 Residential Daily passes, and a virtual “Know Your Rights” event for parents and schools on November 13.
Ald. Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward reports no new zoning, policy, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety actions this month. Residents are invited to the TIF Review Committee on Nov 13 and the ZAB Community Meeting on Nov 15, and can register for the Turkey Giveaway (deadline Nov 14) and two hot‑meal distributions on Nov 18 and 30. Additional community events include a free Art Institute visit on Dec 9 and a Tutoring Chicago volunteer drive.
The 26th Ward newsletter highlights several key community actions: the 2026 city budget survey is now live and a hybrid town‑hall with Mayor Johnson is scheduled for November 8 to discuss budget priorities; the Chicago Board of Education has approved ChiArts as a district‑managed performing‑arts school for 2026‑27, a win for local arts advocacy; and a virtual Crosstown Trail town‑hall is set for November 13 to shape the new trail with a focus on housing protections. In addition, the ward announces the opening of the Emergency Heating Repair Program, a pause in garbage collection for Veterans Day, and a range of food‑assistance and mutual‑aid resources for residents facing federal shutdown‑related hardships.
The 33rd Ward Office reports a surge in ICE‑related incidents and a community fundraiser for a kidnapped neighbor, while urging residents to stay alert and support local businesses. Budget hearings are wrapping up next week, with the office pushing for expanded CARE mental‑health outreach and hiring new staff. Key upcoming events include free flu/COVID shots, an emergency heating repair program, and community gatherings such as the November 10 bonfire and November 19 health screenings.
On November 9, Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward will host a 2026 Budget Town Hall with the Mayor, inviting residents to discuss the city’s proposed budget. The newly‑released 2025 Community Plan outlines over 30 action items in housing, transit and neighborhood amenities, and the ward is coordinating the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing and repainting of rainbow crosswalks to improve street safety. Other highlights include the opening of Dat Donut’s new Lakeview location, the Lakeview East Chamber’s Thanksgiving guide, and Big Ten football games at Wrigley Field.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward invites residents to a virtual meeting on Nov. 20 to discuss a rezoning proposal for vacant lots at 1730‑42 N Clybourn Ave that would allow a 4‑story building with 59 residential units and 18 parking spaces. The meeting will gather community feedback on the development and its zoning changes. No other policy or budget updates are included in this notice.
Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlights three key meetings: a Budget Town Hall with Mayor Johnson on November 8, a Better Streets for Buses Town Hall on December 1, and upcoming CTA/CDOT bus‑priority corridor study sessions. He also reports two development approvals—2240 N. Milwaukee (mixed‑use, 50 units) and 1805 N. Campbell (21‑unit residential)—and notes the budget discussion as a priority for city spending. Other announcements include the reopening of Park #399, the launch of 2026 Residential Daily passes, and a food‑drive effort for families impacted by SNAP cuts.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that he met with CDOT officials and testified at the City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations on Oct. 22 to address traffic congestion from bridge closures, and a special council meeting will be held Nov. 10 to review the city budget. The newsletter also highlights community events, including a Lake Shore and Seneca Parks fall cleanup on Nov. 8, CDPH flu and COVID‑19 vaccine clinics at City Hall on Nov. 5, and resources for SNAP recipients amid the federal shutdown. Additional announcements cover a fall clean‑streets guide, a blood drive, and various local cultural events such as the Lincoln Park Art Night and the RNRA Annual Meeting and Gala.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward announces that the television commercial *Sibling Rivalry* will film in Lincoln Park on November 5–6, 2025, with parking restrictions on the south side of W Fullerton Ave, the west side of N Racine Ave, and the east side of N Lakewood Ave. The City of Chicago Film Office will supervise traffic control, and residents can contact the location manager or assistant production supervisor for questions. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned in this newsletter.
The 25th Ward office, led by Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez, will hold a TIF Review Committee meeting on November 6 at 6 p.m. in Dvorak Park to discuss budget‑related financing for local projects. Residents can preregister for the annual Turkey Giveaway by November 14 and seniors are invited to a free Art Institute of Chicago visit on December 9, with pre‑registration required. The newsletter also highlights food‑pantry referrals, immigrant‑rights resources via Chicago PROTECT, and volunteer opportunities with Tutoring Chicago and the Pilsen Rapid Response Network.
The newsletter urges residents to follow the ward’s Facebook and website for upcoming public meetings and input surveys on zoning and development in the 33rd Ward. It also details the 2025 street‑sweeping schedule, pumpkin compost drop‑off, fall‑leaf cleanup guidelines, the new grid‑based tree‑trimming plan, and the launch of the Emergency Heating Repair Program and Homeowner Relief Fund deadline. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez highlights Halloween decoration contest winners, Day of the Dead celebrations, and a calendar of community events—including free flu and COVID vaccines, a Green Corn Festival, and volunteer opportunities—while encouraging support for local businesses and immigrant neighbors.