Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

In the 44th Ward, Ald. Bennett Lawson introduced two City Council ordinances to extend Pedestrian Streets along portions of Clark (3000–3432 and 3600–3800) and Belmont (531–800), setting development standards to support walkable commercial corridors without closing streets to vehicles. Lawson also shared greenway and street updates, including a revised Wellington/Oakdale greenway proposal for feedback, upcoming alley resurfacing/grind dates in June, and guidance for reporting potholes and checking planned street work. Other major items include arrests tied to the “Lakeview Goons” following an April 4 robbery and beating, continued public safety updates for the 19th Police District, and upcoming community events such as the Low Line Farmers Market (June 2), the Southport Neighbors Native Plant Sale (June 13), and Pride Fest/Parade (June 20–21 and June 28).

26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes is hosting a Business Resource Fair on Wednesday, June 3 (6–8:30 PM) at 4046 W Armitage Ave, with the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection and the Department of Planning & Development available to answer grant, licensing, and business/marketing questions. The newsletter includes RSVP information and bilingual details, with links to the 26th Ward website and social media for more updates.

Alderman William E. Hall (6th Ward) promotes the 6th Ward Career & Job Fair on Saturday, May 30 (9 AM–1 PM) at the Shine Bright Community Center, featuring local employers and workforce partners including Pace Suburban Bus and Illinois DCFS. The newsletter is centered on connecting residents to job and career opportunities and does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions.

Alderman [name not provided], 34th Ward newsletter highlights City Council housing- and infrastructure-related ordinances: an introduced ordinance to approve the sale of the City’s parking meters to Stonepeak (noting the council’s review of whether the change is in the City’s interest) and a separate ordinance to purchase the Greyhound station referred to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The alderman also points to major transit and streets infrastructure updates, including CTA State/Lake and Lake Street Bascule Bridge closures and Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction work, plus ongoing local infrastructure improvements in the ward (resurfacing, alley work, curb/gutter, and lighting). Other announcements/events include a Fulton River District mural community meeting (May 29) and applications/seasonal events such as CityArts grant deadlines (June 3), the Chicago Blues Festival (June 4–7), and summer screenings and Millennium Park summer programming.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update primarily promotes community events: the Portage Park Farmer’s Market opens June 7 (9:30am–1:30pm) at Irving Park and Long, with hours “rain or shine,” plus donation information for the St. Cyprian Food Pantry. The newsletter also shares local resources and announcements (including a CACC “Rescue Me” adoption and fostering info for a dog named Rubina) and lists job opportunities from multiple departments. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings/ordinances or development approvals are mentioned in this update.

Alderman Tabares (23rd Ward) analyzed a measure aimed at curbing violent youth gatherings and held hearings to address concerns with warrants, along with engaging residents on issues including prostitution in the area and the domestic violence system. The newsletter also notes Memorial Day commemorations at Rhine Post, including an honorary street renaming for Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez on the 6400 block of Komensky and a fundraiser for officer wellness at the 8th Police District, plus an annual CPD-supporting BBQ. Other major items include calls for answers related to domestic violence and veterans gathering events.

48th Ward Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth highlighted Vision Zero progress, noting the ward had zero traffic fatalities in 2025 for the third straight year, alongside ongoing safety projects like pedestrian hybrid beacons, refuge islands, speed cameras, and traffic calming. The newsletter also announced development/zoning-related meetings/hearings, including a May 28 community meeting on revised Emanuel Congregation/Fern Hill redevelopment plans and a June 15 public hearing on Bryn Mawr landmark designation and a permit application at 1114 W Bryn Mawr, plus SBIF applications opening June 1 (with a June 3 webinar). Other updates include construction pedestrian-safety work starting June 5 around Senn High School, water main construction on Bryn Mawr/Sheridan, and several neighborhood events (e.g., Argyle AANHPI Celebration May 31, Full Moon Jam June 1, and Edgewater Monday Market beginning June 1).

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) invites residents to a June 2, 2026, 6:00 PM zoning and safety meeting at St. James Community Church to review and vote on proposed developments and related items, including gas station plans at 74th & Indiana and 75th & Lafayette, a Safety Plan for 75th State to Cottage Grove, Lot security, a Parking Ban, and a 75th Street redesign/3-year plan. The eligible voting area is roughly 71st–75th between Vincennes and King/Cottage, and government-issued ID is required to vote. Additional announcement: all 6th Ward residents are welcome to attend, with doors opening at 5:30 PM.

Alderperson Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) announced formal support for the proposed Francis W. Parker School expansion, stating it is contingent on City Council zoning committee approval. He highlights March community input and a negotiated plan that includes a $2 million affordable housing commitment tied to Parker properties, $500,000 in unrestricted support to Lincoln Park High School and Abraham Lincoln Elementary, DarkSky-certified athletic field lighting with limited operating hours, and a traffic pick-up/drop-off plan plus enforcement if it’s not followed. Other major items include the planned “Plan of Operation & Community Benefits Agreement” that Parker will be legally bound to and references to office hours/ward updates and ongoing community engagement.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) notified residents of filming in Streeterville on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, 2026 (5:00 am–11:00 pm). Parking restrictions with possible “no parking/tow zone” postings are expected along Delaware Place due to production parking, with traffic control supported by the Chicago Police Department; concerns can be directed to the on-site and production supervisors listed in the notice.

Alderman Dowell’s Third Ward e-news primarily announces CTA construction impacts at the 43rd Street Green Line station: a projected 48-hour temporary closure from June 13 (3:00 AM) to June 15 (3:00 AM), plus additional ride-by/stair reconstruction work over the following months. The newsletter also promotes the Bronzeville Trail Framework/Open House and a related Bronzeville Trail design studio enrichment program, along with a Bright Star community blood drive and the Mayor’s Youth Commission application.

Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley’s 21st Ward update highlights City Council action advancing zoning and development measures to support new housing and neighborhood growth, including approval of three new single-family homes at 1223–1231 W. 112th St. and major map amendments along 105th Street and Ashland Avenue. The newsletter also mentions support for disaster loan outreach through May 29 and notes Mosley’s recognition with the 2026 Public Service Trailblazer Award. Other major items include a community Town Hall update, the 103rd Street Corridor Peace Walk/Run/Bike event, and upcoming events such as a 21st Ward Shred & Resource Day plus the Chicago Reparations Study survey deadline of May 31.

Ald. Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) announced multiple upcoming community and resource events, including a Budget Engagement series roundtables on June 3, June 6, and June 16, and a Welcome Home Housing Access and Inclusion Fair on June 3. The newsletter also publicizes housing- and job-focused initiatives such as Chicago Youth Works summer job applications (deadline May 29) and City program/career opportunities (e.g., Hospitality Hires Chicago on May 28). Other major dates include Saddle Up Showcase (May 28) at an Austin Town Hall, the Chicago Blues Festival (June 4–7), and an It’s Your Park Day event at Brookfield Zoo (May 30), plus a Reparations Taskforce survey deadline of May 31.

Alderman William Hall (6th Ward) shares an upcoming Women’s Health panel hosted by Advocate Health Care/6th Ward Central at Trinity Hospital as part of “Wellness Wednesday,” focused on heart health, gynecological health, patient care, and overall wellness. The email encourages residents to build healthier routines through small, consistent activity habits (e.g., taking short walks, stretching, and breaking up sitting periods). No zoning, development, transit, budget, or street-safety actions or votes are mentioned; the main announcement is the panel event.

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, he highlights proposed policy actions including a city Council order to require an ADA Transition Plan, an ordinance he introduced to create an institutional zoning category for schools and houses of worship, and redistricting reform that would start in 2031 with a resident-appointed commission drafting three maps for City Council approval. He also notes a City Council ratification needed for a renewed parking meter deal involving the sale of a long-term lease from Morgan Stanley to StonePeak, and shares routine ward events (Wicker Park/Bucktown chamber event, senior sip-and-paint at Linden House, and pickleball with students at De Diego) plus upcoming June items like Yoga in the Park, Storytime, a Shred-A-Thon, and Tree Stewardship Day.

Alderman Mark A. Alvarez’s 15th Ward newsletter announces summer internship opportunities and a registration drive, rather than any zoning, housing, transit, or budget meetings/decisions or policy changes. It asks youth to apply through the Chicago Youth Works Program or the ward’s college summer intern program and notes that applications should be set to the government administration field with the 15th Ward Alderman selected; the office also hosts in-person registration on Friday, 9 AM–3 PM at 2650 W 51st St.

Alderman Walter Red Burnett’s newsletter mainly promotes Ward Night tonight (05/26/26), inviting residents to attend and meet with him by scanning a QR code. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions are mentioned in this message.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlighted two recent community zoning meetings: a proposal at 3834–3854 S. Ashland to rezone parcels to C1-2 for a shopping center, and a planned support for a 3540 S. Halsted change to C1-2 for a high-end auto repair shop with a cafe; she also announced an upcoming public zoning meeting for 2878 S. Throop. In City Council, she said the city passed a compromise on phasing minimum wage rules for tipped vs. non-tipped workers, and she voted no on an ordinance targeting police members involved in extremist groups due to First Amendment and legal concerns. She also noted ongoing street work and water/sewer/lead service line construction in the ward (including Wentworth and Pershing Road) plus ward events like the June 3 town hall at the Ramova Theater and the Canaryville Library’s 25th birthday.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared highlights from City Hall’s Wednesday City Council meeting, including zoning change approvals (e.g., 1616 N St. Louis, 3521 W Division, 1118 N California, 1749 N Mozart, 3707 W McLean, and 3444 W North Ave) and other policy actions such as the Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance and the creation of a centralized listing portal for affordable housing listings. The newsletter also notes the Peacebook Executive Order establishing year-round youth peacekeeping and a Peacebook Working Group, and reiterates the office’s ongoing housing advocacy for unhoused residents amid limited affordable-housing resources. Other major announcements include a Walk for Peace & Cookout at Humboldt Park, a Peace pop-up in Hermosa on May 27, and the office closing for Memorial Day (reopening May 26).

In Alderman Scott Waguespack’s 32nd Ward newsletter, City Council continued work on major governance items including a review of the parking meter sale/contract and approval of steps to strengthen voter protections; the Council also approved a compromise ordinance that pauses/extends the tipped wage phaseout. Waguespack also highlights local infrastructure and development-related updates: CDOT’s Cortland Street bridge rehabilitation remains closed to vehicles with next steps expected after further engineering review, and the ward has ongoing street/sidewalk and utility projects (including a Greenview water main replacement and upcoming street/alley repaving), plus a start to the Wellington & Oakdale Greenway project. Other announcements include Memorial Day office/cart collection changes, upcoming 2027 budget engagement roundtables, and neighborhood events such as Porchfest Lakeview and Movies in the Park.