Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter highlights CTA/public safety concerns (including an incident at the Irving Park Blue Line) and promotes a free women’s self-defense class at Gen-Ki Karate (Oct. 6). The major local development item is the upcoming Sprouts Farmers Market at 6200 W. Higgins Ave., with construction beginning soon, while other updates cover community safety events and local business recognition (Tony’s Italian Deli & Subs winning a WGN deli contest). Additional items include neighborhood Beat meeting dates in October, voter/resources information, and ongoing community services and grant/recycling/news announcements.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) highlights a TIF Review Committee meeting on Oct. 14 and mentions delays to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (PRO) and related FAIR legislation after the Sept. 23 City Council meeting. The newsletter also lists CPD community conversations for the 10th/12th Districts (Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 and another CPD session Oct. 22) and ongoing ward office events such as mobile office hours (Oct. 14). Other major items include Chicago Marathon street closures on Oct. 11 and election reminders for the Nov. 3, 2026 midterms, plus community events like Cultura Cura (Oct. 9), a free expungement/record sealing event (Oct. 10), and the Oct. 23 Halloween block party.

29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro’s newsletter only mentions a Halloween Bingo event; it contains no information about zoning, housing, transit, ordinances, budget items, development approvals, or street safety. No other major announcements or meetings/hearings are included.

Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell reports the City Council passed a renegotiated “parking meter deal” on September 29, improving the City of Chicago’s financial terms, including $75 million up front for pension obligations and additional long-term concessions; she also supported related oversight in housing and infrastructure policy. She further sponsored ordinances/resolutions including: requiring special use permits for certain single-room occupancy (SRO) developments, creating a Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task Force, and calling for City Council hearings on Amtrak Midwest Maintenance facility site selection. Other updates include Ald. Dowell attending the Bronzeville Trail open house (framework plan expected to finalize in early 2027), providing 43rd Street construction/street-scape status updates, and noting September/October CAPS meeting dates, plus major city events like the October 11 Chicago Marathon and related street/parking restrictions.

In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bennett Lawson updates residents on development and zoning-related actions: the Commission on Chicago Landmark’s Nov. 5 hearing will consider a preliminary landmark designation for the Eddy–Cornelia–Newport area, and Lawson says he will not support expanding the Cubs’ Camry Lot beyond the currently permitted 800 parking spaces while the updated Wrigley Traffic Management Plan is implemented and proven effective. City Council news includes passage of an amended parking meter agreement allowing Stonepeak Partners to acquire the parking meter concession, and ongoing negotiations on a Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (with votes deferred on Tuesday). Other announcements include early voting dates for the Nov. 3 election, community conversations on the 19th Police District’s 2027 Strategic Plan (Oct. 8 and Nov. 4), and fall events like the Oct. 11 Chicago Marathon and an Oct. 17 electronic recycling/shredding event.

Alderman Tabares (23rd Ward) said he sent a letter urging Mayor Johnson and City Council not to raise property taxes to close Chicago’s budget gap, calling instead for government efficiencies and collections on city debt in the FY2027 budget dispute. His newsletter also includes community and public-safety updates, including throwing the first pitch at the 2nd Annual Softball Community Showdown, condolences for the Marquez family after a tragic loss, and a reference to recent coverage of a hit-and-run involving cyclists.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s 38th Ward update focuses on property tax appeals for Jefferson Township, including instructions for filing with the Cook County Assessor until November 12. The newsletter does not mention zoning/development, housing or transit policy changes, budget decisions, or street safety/redevelopment actions. It also includes community announcements (vaccination clinic registration, St. Cyprian Food Pantry donations), local business and Halloween/event info, a pet adoption feature, and job openings from multiple departments and agencies.

Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor’s Ward 20 weekly newsletter (Oct. 5, 2026) does not describe any specific meetings/hearings, ordinances, development approvals, budget or infrastructure decisions, or long-term transit/housing/street safety actions; it mainly provides links to office contacts and other resources. Other items include directions for finding a police district and a link to the SGA Youth wellness microgrants site, plus general social media/website links.

Alderman Matthew O’Shea (19th Ward) shared an announcement for a 19th Ward blood drive on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Saint Cajetan School (appointments required; door 3 on Campbell Ave., 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.), coordinated through Community Blood Center. The newsletter also highlights upcoming community events, including the Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K on Nov. 28 with registration deadlines, proceeds supporting local youth/community causes, and related breakfast/sponsorship information.

Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) reports that City Council passed the adjusted parking meter deal, including key concessions such as $75 million up front for pensions and profit-sharing, and also passed an expansion of the Veteran Enterprise Business (VBE) program. He also notes the City Council’s upcoming budget hearings as the mayor’s budget proposal comes forward, though no specific housing, zoning, or transit actions are detailed. Other announcements include the Latino Veterans & First Responders 5K on Oct. 4 at Hanson Park Stadium, upcoming community conversations and workshops, and community highlights including Hispanic Heritage Month events and neighborhood recognitions for West Town and Belmont Cragin.

Ald. Maria Hadden’s newsletter focuses on campaign fundraising and community organizing, including a “Fighting Fascism Fall Fundraiser” held at Jarvis Square Tavern and a call for supporters to donate ahead of a quarterly deadline. It also invites residents to host house parties to support her re-election campaign for the 49th Ward. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions are mentioned.

Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea (19th Ward) newsletter mainly promotes community events, including the Beverly Area Planning Association and Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association’s “Sip & Shop” retail night on October 1 and the 18th Annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot on November 28 (with registration deadlines and proceeds benefiting local youth and a pediatric brain tumor foundation). The message also shares community information about the Historic Bethany Union Church’s October 2 steak fry and general state guidance on the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings program; no zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy actions are described.

Alderman Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) highlighted community and resource events rather than zoning, housing, transit, street-safety, or budget items, including a 28th Ward Health & Resource Fair (Oct. 16, 10am–2pm), a District Strategic Plan community conversation (Oct. 1 and Oct. 22), and a homebuyer education program (“Home Stretch” on Oct. 3 and Oct. 24). Other major announcements included the General Election early voting start (Oct. 19) and multiple fairs/services (e.g., Medicaid coverage events, LIHEAP priority periods, and a Second Chance Summit/expungement-sealing fair on Oct. 10), along with workforce/education and community events like Workforce Connections (Oct. 6) and Try Hockey for Free (Oct. 3).

The newsletter does not include any substantive content—no meetings/hearings, zoning/development, housing, transit, budget items, policy changes/ordinances, or infrastructure/street safety updates are described. Apart from the header identifying 29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro, it contains no other major announcements or events.

This newsletter from Alderwoman Cruz (30th Ward) announces the first 2026 Participatory Budget meeting on September 30 (in person at The Becoming Center and via Zoom) and explains that residents will vote on how to allocate up to $500,000 from the ward’s menu funds across parks/public art, residential street resurfacing, curb and gutter repairs, and sidewalk repairs. It does not mention any specific zoning, development approvals, transit service changes, ordinances, or other council actions beyond the participatory budgeting process. Other updates are limited to directions to vote, contact information, and links to the ward’s website and Cruz’s social media.

1st Ward Ald. La Spata says the Chicago City Council approved the sale of the parking meter concession agreement to Stonepeak Partners, and that he voted “yes,” citing $75 million in up-front revenue to the city and improved labor terms; he argues the city couldn’t legally/financially buy it back outright without effectively doubling costs. The newsletter also promotes upcoming 1st Ward community events, including the final “Meet Me on Milwaukee” on Oct. 25 (with volunteer signup), a CityKey printing event with the City Clerk on Oct. 5, and a blood drive/vaccine clinic on Oct. 6, plus several library, cleanup competition, and neighborhood announcements.

Alderwoman Angela Clay’s 46th Ward newsletter announces a quarterly Community Conversation tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 5:30–7:00 PM at Truman College (Larry McKeon Lobby) focused on domestic violence and local support resources. The update also notes that all appointments for the upcoming Mobile DMV are filled, with another Mobile DMV planned for early next year, and reminds residents to move their cars for street sweeping this weekend.

Alderman Walter Red Burnett (Ward Night) invites residents to attend Ward Night tonight (09/29/26) to share concerns and provide feedback and, if needed, meet with the alderman by scanning the QR code. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, ordinance, or street-safety items are mentioned in this newsletter.

Ald. Jason C. Ervin (28th Ward) urged residents to help with his re-election campaign by signing his petition and canvassing during the final push this week and on Saturday, Oct. 3 (10am–1pm). The newsletter does not mention any zoning/development, housing/transit policy actions, budget decisions, or street safety hearings—it's focused entirely on campaign logistics and volunteer outreach.

In Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s 16th Ward e-newsletter, the main actionable items are advising residents to submit 311 service requests for issues like potholes, streetlights out, and fly dumping; no zoning, housing, transit, or budget hearings/ordinances or development approvals are mentioned. The newsletter also promotes a Department of Planning and Development/SomerCor Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant application rollout in October for TIF districts in Englewood-related areas, with application dates of Oct. 1 (opening at 9 a.m.) to Oct. 30 (closing at 5 p.m.).