Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Desmon Yancy reported that tomorrow’s Clean-Up Day at O'Keefe School of Excellence has been postponed due to poor air quality, and he will notify residents when it is rescheduled. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy changes were mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Matthew O’Shea (19th Ward) publicized two community events: a July 18 blood drive at Brother Rice High School (8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) and Marist High School’s fifth annual Southside Summer Festival (4:00–10:00 p.m.) featuring Big Head Todd and the Monsters. The newsletter does not mention zoning, housing, transit, budget actions, ordinances, or development approvals—only event and city/state program information (Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings).

48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth reports that she is allowing the Emanuel Congregation/Fern Hill “Version 3” planned development to move forward to the Chicago Plan Commission, contingent on community benefits including up to 603 homes (with 120 affordable), lakefront access protections, and specified park/public safety and bike/ped investments. She also announces traffic-safety improvements: a new stop sign on the Dusable Lake Shore Drive off-ramp at Bryn Mawr, plus the Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ unanimous vote to recommend landmark designation for the Bryn Mawr Avenue District (to be introduced at City Council and sent to the Zoning Committee). Other items include Glenwood Greenway contraflow bike lane striping and upcoming Glenwood resurfacing, construction/raised-intersection updates at Senn High School, and upcoming community events such as Ward Night (July 21) and “Meet the Sun-Times and WBEZ” (July 23).

6th Ward Alderman William E. Hall announced that the 6th Ward Jazz Fest scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at Cole Park has been postponed due to poor air quality, with a new date to be announced when conditions improve. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy meetings/decisions were reported in this newsletter beyond the event update.

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) reports that the Chicago City Council unanimously passed his prediction markets ethics ordinance, barring city employees from using non-public government information to participate in prediction markets. He also highlights his support for the ADU legalization taking effect April 1, and calls on Mayor Johnson and CDOT to prioritize river bridge reopenings and provide traffic mitigation plans (including detours and parking adjustments) as ongoing bridge closures—including the Cortland Bridge—cause congestion. Other announcements include Saturday office hours despite wildfire smoke affecting air quality, a “Treatment Not Trauma” CARE Northeast town hall on July 28 at Broadway United Methodist Church, and city acknowledgements/resolutions for the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit’s 25th anniversary and Allan Mellis.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale announced that tomorrow’s bike ride was canceled due to air quality concerns and an Office of Emergency Management weather advisory/air quality alerts through midnight. The newsletter also included a storm update for residents impacted by storms on June 10, 11, and 17.

In Alderman Debra L. Silverstein’s 50th Ward newsletter, the main policy item is that the City Council Finance Committee delayed a vote on selling Chicago parking meters to Stonepeak Partners until September, and she says she would have voted “NO” on the current plan. The newsletter also highlights non-policy community and service announcements, including the July 26 Back to School Giveaway, a July 19 Clean & Green trash pickup, and the start of summer CPS free meal sites. Other major items include SBA disaster loan outreach centers for storm impacts (June 10–17, 2026) and applications for Small Business Improvement Grants in the Lincoln Avenue TIF until July 30 at 5 PM.

Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor’s 20th Ward newsletter is focused on upcoming community events rather than any listed zoning, housing, transit, or budget meetings/hearings or policy/ordinance actions. It highlights free shred-and-recycle (July 17–18 at 6848 S Cottage Grove), back-to-school activities (July 18), and additional community and youth programs at locations including 6201 S Stewart and the St. Bernard Hospital Annex. It also includes information about a six-week youth leadership/workforce program and a second session listed for July 13–August 18 at the Healthy Lifestyles Hub UIC (839 W 79th St).

No meetings, hearings, policy/ordinance actions, development or zoning changes, budget items, or transit/street safety decisions are mentioned in this newsletter. Alderman William E. Hall (6th Ward) invites residents to the Jazz “Vinia” Fest at Cole Park on Sunday, July 19 from 4:00–7:30 p.m., with live music, food, and community activities.

In the 15th Ward e-newsletter, the alderman reports City Council passed their ordinance creating a hiring preference for Gold Star/Gold Badge families and approved a change requiring City Council and committee meeting videos be available for download. They also note that they introduced a resolution calling for hearings on using geofencing by CPD and scooter rental companies, and they introduced a zoning change at 4643 S Wallace St (B2-3 to RS-3). Other ward items include lead service line replacement outreach in Canaryville, summer neighborhood clean-up/maintenance updates (e.g., potholes, abandoned vehicles, tree trimming/debris), and food scrap drop-off program information.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) announced that, due to an Air Quality Alert, the 38th Ward Office has face masks available for residents to pick up at 3821 N Harlem while supplies last, and urged people to limit time outdoors until conditions improve. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings/decisions were mentioned; this was the sole major update.

Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor (20th Ward) announced that the Ward 20 Shred & Recycle Day will proceed as scheduled on Friday, July 17, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM despite current air quality concerns, with limited staff on site. The notice includes health and safety guidance for residents to limit time outdoors and consider postponing if they have asthma, heart or lung conditions, or respiratory symptoms. Other than the event update, the newsletter mainly provides information on Chicago emergency alert notifications (NotifyChicago) and related resources.

In Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter, there are no zoning, housing, transit, budget, or ordinance hearings/approvals reported. The main Ward infrastructure item is the start of construction at the Nagle Railroad Crossing (beginning July 6) and residents are directed to the Ward office and ChiStreetWork for updates. Other announcements include mask availability at the 45th Ward office due to poor air quality, a canceled “Movie in the Park” at Dunham Park, and Beat Meeting dates listed for several summer/fall beats.

Alderman William E. Hall (6th Ward) shared that the Illinois EPA has extended an Air Quality Alert through Friday, July 17 (11:59 PM), advising residents to limit outdoor activity due to unhealthy air—especially seniors and people with respiratory conditions. The 6th Ward office is offering free face masks for seniors (available while supplies last), with delivery available by calling 773-241-3100. The newsletter also reiterates summer heat safety steps (hydration, checking on vulnerable neighbors, using city cooling centers if needed) and directs residents to Chicago OEMC/AirNow for updates and to call 311 for well-being checks or shelter assistance.

In the July 16, 2026 newsletter, the alderman (name not provided) reports voting against a $250M TIF allocation for “The 78” parking structure and plaza, arguing TIF funds meant for public infrastructure should not support a private stadium; the measure still passed 42-5 and includes moving $287M between TIF districts. The newsletter also flags long-running transit construction impacts, including Loop elevated weekend station closures July 18-20 and 25-27, plus ongoing major CTA and street/bridge work (State/Lake CTA station reconstruction through 2029, and other bridge/viaduct and street projects). Other major announcements include Chicago Youth Summit (July 25), Chicago Climate Week (July 18-25), and various community events plus street sweeping reminders.

In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bennett Lawson highlighted City Council action introducing an ordinance for community review of large utility projects, including the proposed ComEd substation at 1111 W Diversey, and a resolution recognizing the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit’s 25th anniversary. The newsletter also reports development progress on 2800 N Sheridan with updated ground-floor facade plans from community feedback and notes the site is in demolition-only steps (interior demolition begins early August; exterior after Labor Day), while the Cubs’ Camry Lot expansion proposal is paused pending an updated traffic study. Other updates include a July 22 Public Safety Town Hall with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, ongoing street/alley resurfacing schedule changes, and event notices such as Yoga in the Park (July 19), CACC PUPAPALOOZA (July 18), and National Night Out (August 4).

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) shared a reminder that Chicago is under an IEPA Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day (July 16–17, 2026) due to wildfire smoke, urging residents to limit outdoor exertion and follow air-quality safety guidance. As a result, the Chicago Park District closed all beaches and outdoor pools, closed the Garfield Park and Lincoln Park conservatories, moved programming indoors, and canceled the Grant Park Music Festival “String Fellows” event for the evening.

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) announced that the El Rando Concert at Kennedy Park (11320 S. Western Ave.) has been rescheduled due to an air quality alert, moving from July 16 to next week Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 pm. The newsletter advises residents—especially those with health issues—to stay indoors and limit outdoor activity. It also promotes the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings program and lists general 19th Ward office/community updates and employment opportunities.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale’s newsletter focuses on a Weather Advisory and Air Quality Alerts issued by the Office of Emergency Management, warning residents through Friday July 17th, along with a storm update for those impacted by the June 10, 11, and 17 storms. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or policy decisions or other major events are mentioned in this email beyond the alerts.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) sent an air quality alert noting Chicago is classified as hazardous due to wildfire smoke from Canada, urging residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed, reduce activity, and limit sources of indoor smoke. The newsletter directs residents to track conditions at AirNow (airnow.gov) and highlights health precautions for higher-risk groups. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy items were mentioned.