Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that, after a July 1 shooting in River North, Cook County Sheriff Dart is deploying additional seasoned deputies downtown as part of the Community Safety Team for the July 4 weekend. The newsletter also notes Reilly’s office will be closed July 3 for Independence Day and lists multiple neighborhood transportation and construction impacts (e.g., crane lift closures at 218 W Kinzie; lane closures for Randolph and Grand Ave near Bally’s; longer-term closures tied to the State/Lake CTA reconstruction and Canal St reconstruction through late 2026). Other updates include July CAPS meetings for several beats, and Navy Pier’s extended July 4 fireworks show at 10 p.m.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin’s newsletter mainly focuses on storm-forestry work and city services—Chicago Bureau of Forestry crews are continuing storm cleanup and expanding a grid-based inspection approach, and residents can request free lead testing kits via 311. It also shares 4th of July safety and office-closure updates (office closed July 3), plus local events including the North Center 4th of July Parade and Navy Pier’s sanctioned fireworks on July 4. Other major announcements include a July 18 kids’ winter clothing drive and electronics/paper shredding event, an MWRD-related recycling day, and notices on upcoming community events (e.g., Square Roots and Movie in the Parks) and neighborhood transit/streets updates (Western Brown Line and Ashland resurfacing).

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) reminded residents that fireworks are banned statewide, and that sparklers and bottle rockets are also banned in Chicago; the office is encouraging people to use professional fireworks shows instead. The 19th Ward office will be closed on Friday, July 3, and reopen Monday, July 6, with urgent requests handled via 3-1-1.

The 34th Ward office (Ald. not specified) will be closed July 3 and reopen July 6, and the newsletter highlights extreme heat safety resources and cooling centers. It also lists several ongoing major transportation/street works impacting residents—IDOT bridge rehab (including scheduled ramp closures), multiple CDOT/CTA projects (State/Lake station reconstruction closures, Canal Street viaduct and intersection work, the Lake Street bascule bridge closure until Jan. 2028, and Halsted/Chicago Ave bridge work), plus neighborhood infrastructure updates like street resurfacing, alley work, and curb/gutter/lighting projects. Other announcements include Superintendent Larry Snelling’s retirement, CAPS meeting dates for the 1st District beats, and upcoming community events such as Taste of Chicago (July 8–12) and the Chicago Youth Summit (July 25).

In Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward newsletter, the key policy-related items are an upcoming community meeting on the proposed development at 1040 W Belmont (via Zoom on July 9) and street infrastructure work: alley/ street resurfacing/grinding on multiple dates (starting July 6–7), plus updated plans for the Wellington/Oakdale Greenway. The newsletter also notes safety and public safety actions, including a Leon Jackson custody hearing (via Zoom) and upcoming CPD-related events, along with routine ward updates like reporting issues with Divvy/e-scooters and the next recycling pickup week. Other major announcements include Fourth of July weekend events (Gallagher Way Night Market, Cubs games, and Navy Pier fireworks) and next weekend’s Southport Arts Fest (July 11–12) and Dine Out on Broadway (July 10–12).

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) shared a 4th of July notice that the ward office will be closed on Friday and reopen July 6, and promoted summer resources including CPS free summer meals and ward event listings. The newsletter also highlights non-zoning items like the Lincoln Ave TIF Small Business Improvement Grants application deadline (July 30) and reminders to appeal property taxes through Lake View Township (through July 13) and sign up for street-sweeping alerts through late November. Other key announcements include warnings to avoid illegal fireworks and links to the ward’s “Know Your Rights” portal.

Alderman Andre Tabares (23rd Ward) highlighted a proposed ordinance for tenant protection in Chicago, along with community announcements rather than any specific zoning, development, transit, or budget meetings/approvals. Other items included the opening of Dream Clean Car Wash (5124 S. Pulaski Rd), construction underway on a new adaptive playground at Byrne Elementary School, and recognition items such as the CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling retirement and the 30th anniversary of the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update focuses on holiday notices: the 38th Ward office closes at 3:00pm on July 2 and remains closed July 3, reopening July 6 at 9:00am, with a reminder that fireworks are illegal. It also includes information from Chicago Animal Care & Control (adoptions/fostering during peak capacity), local community support resources (St. Cyprian Food Pantry), and job postings; no zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy/development items are mentioned.

This July 2026 newsletter from Ald. Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) highlights two Community Budget Feedback sessions on Wednesday, July 1 (virtual) and Tuesday, July 7 (in person at Roosevelt High School), plus Movies in the Parks and other community programming (e.g., Late Night Basketball, Teens in the Park, and the “Clear Your Record” event). It also includes a holiday garbage schedule for Independence Day with no service on Friday, July 3 and service on the following days, along with additional announcements such as Brookfield Zoo free days and CPD/National organizations’ community events (e.g., Beloved Community Bash on July 10 and the Spirit of Nelson Mandela on July 11).

Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) reported hosting a June 23 virtual town hall with DPD and partners on “The 78” TIF (a $424 million request for infrastructure to support future housing and commercial development), and noted City Council approval of funding for Abrams Intergenerational Village (including $13 million in TIF assistance and related financing) with construction scheduled to begin in 2026. The newsletter also highlights the start of construction this July on the Bronzeville Regional Senior Center and shares street and infrastructure work updates, including scheduled resurfacing on Root St. (LaSalle to State) through August 24, 2026. Other major announcements include Alderman Dowell’s participation in Juneteenth events, the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, and various upcoming community events and CAPS meetings, plus a June 2026 ordinance sponsored by her office related to reforming the City’s debt check process for business licenses and permits.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) issued a statement on a July 1 shooting near State and Grand in River North, where a 30-year-old was killed and a 65-year-old was injured by a stray bullet. He said he has requested increased late-night CPD presence downtown from 18th District Commander Bielfeldt, including a significant police presence over the July 4th weekend, and will coordinate with fellow aldermen on securing additional overnight resources.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) announced that the 2026 Participatory Budgeting idea collection is now open, inviting residents to propose infrastructure projects to fund $1 million from the aldermanic menu (Infrastructure) through July 26. She also noted an Idea Collection Assembly on Saturday, July 11 at Gale Community Academy (10:00–11:00 a.m.). Other items in the newsletter include directions for submitting ideas (online or in person at the 49th Ward service office during Monday–Thursday hours).

In Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley’s 21st Ward Weekly Bulletin, the main updates focus on establishing the City’s new Office of Gun Violence Reduction and winning over $2 million in development grants, including $1.78M for a mixed-use project at 433 W. 119th St. The bulletin also notes housing-resource engagement through a June town hall and provides ward development and infrastructure items such as ongoing housing/business projects and Metra’s 89th & Morgan bridge construction scheduled to be completed in August 2026. Other announcements include July 1 labor-law updates (minimum wage and paid leave enforcement changes), the 21st Ward office closure July 3 for Independence Day, and upcoming community events like Movies in the Park (July 7 and July 22) and Taste of Chicago (July 8–12).

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) issued a public safety alert about a stabbing reported around 1:20 AM on the 6200 block of N Oakley; the victim was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in critical condition and the matter is under active police investigation by the Area 3 Bureau of Detectives. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy meetings/changes, and includes no other major announcements or events.

In the June 2026 36th Ward newsletter, Alderman Gilbert Villegas highlights City Council actions rather than specific zoning/hearing items: a passed ordinance to crack down on auto airbag theft and a School Safety Zone ordinance that passed the Public Safety Committee. The newsletter also shares community-focused updates like office resources for permits/petitions/reserved parking signage and events such as Vet Connect (July 7 & 21), Firefighter for a Day (July 10 & 16), and a 16th District Police Council public meeting (July 14). Other major announcements include the opening of Commercial Park after improvements, summer internship placements for 36th Ward youth, and additional community safety/resource reminders (cooling centers and car seat safety help).

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) shared details for Marist High School’s fifth annual Southside Summer Festival on Saturday, July 18, 2026 (4–10 p.m.), with Big Head Todd and the Monsters headlining and other acts including Eddie 9V and Back Country Boys. Tickets are $45 in advance ($50 at the door), with limited VIP tickets for $165; proceeds support scholarships and financial aid for Marist students. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety items were included in this newsletter—only the festival announcement and ticketing information.

This newsletter contains only a “ComEd Update” from 29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro and does not include any information about zoning, development, housing, transit, budgets, policy/ordinances, or specific approvals/changes. No additional major announcements or events are stated in the provided text.

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) rescheduled the Infrastructure Ward Walk due to extreme heat and provides cooling and safety guidance. He also highlighted that Chicago’s ADU legalization ordinance is now in effect (with 88 applications in the first two days), and urged CDOT and Mayor Johnson to prioritize reopening long-closed river bridges (especially the Cortland Bridge) with clearer traffic mitigation plans. Other updates include Pride Parade recap, 43rd Ward office closures for Independence Day, a new Recycle Coach app, summer beach/lakefront public safety actions, and reminders about updated CDOT rules for e-scooters/e-bikes and ward parking/311 resources.

Alderman Walter Red Burnett’s newsletter focuses on “Ward Night” tonight (06/30/26), inviting residents to meet with the alderman by scanning the provided QR code. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, ordinances, or street-safety items are mentioned, and no other major events or announcements are included.

The newsletter text provided contains only the header “29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro’s Quick Updates” and no information about meetings/hearings, policy or ordinance actions, zoning/development approvals, budget/infrastructure decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects. No other major announcements or events are included in the content shown.