Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s May 2026 newsletter focuses on constituent service guidance, urging residents to report city issues (e.g., potholes, street lights out, chronic fly dumping) through 311 or her office. The email does not include any zoning/development/housing/transit/budget hearings, policy ordinances, development approvals, or major infrastructure or street-safety decisions. Other items include ward resources and event “save the date” placeholders, business rebate information (SSA #3 canopy/awning, facade, graffiti, and security improvements), and reminders that 2025 property-tax exemption applications are available online along with various senior/veteran and employment/community input resources.

Alderwoman Angela Clay’s 46th Ward newsletter announces the Uptown Connects Resource Fair on May 21 (rain date May 28) at the DFSS Office, 845 W. Wilson Ave, 12:00–4:00 PM. The event is not a zoning/development or budget hearing, but it will provide services including free HIV testing, City Key appointments, and access to the City’s Coordinated Entry System, plus housing assistance, benefits navigation, legal resources, and other supports. Other announcement: live music and free food/drinks are planned for attendees.

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, he reports that two measures he led advanced to the full City Council this Wednesday: a resolution on the Living Wage for Musicians Act and an ordinance requiring transparency on minority contracting and resident hiring commitments for major planned developments. He also discusses frustration with the preliminary CPS budget, citing a projected $733m gap and concerns about further proposed cuts to educational positions despite recent related reductions and prior increases in CPS-related property taxes. Other announcements include Memorial Day office closures (May 25), plus community events such as Yoga in the Park (June 12) and library children’s storytelling at the West Town Library.

Alderman Walter Red Burnett (Ward not specified) invites residents to Ward Night tonight (05.19.26) to share concerns and receive time to meet with the alderman. No specific zoning, housing, transit, parking, budget, or development actions are mentioned in this newsletter—only the upcoming meeting event is noted.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) newsletter primarily thanks attendees and volunteers for a brunch fundraiser that supports her re-election campaign and funds 49th Ward cultural events, festivals, and essential services; it also notes petition season will begin in late July and asks for volunteers. No meetings/hearings, policy/ordinance actions, development approvals, budget or infrastructure decisions, long-term transit changes, or street safety/redesign projects are mentioned—other than campaign and community-partner announcements (La Choza Mexican Grill, Rogers Park Wine and Spirits, and a volunteer muffin contribution by Peter).

In the 2nd Ward newsletter, Alderman Brian Hopkins highlights a Transportation and the Public Way committee vote recommending William Cheaks as the next CDOT Commissioner, noting his hopes for improved communication and efficiency after past major bridge closures. The newsletter also promotes public meetings/events including “Coffee with the 18th District Commander” (May 21) and the 18th Police District Council monthly meeting (May 26), plus SOAR’s opening of the farmers market (May 19). It further lists community and citywide events such as the Get Behind the Vest fundraiser (June 24), Sueños Chicago (May 23–24), and the Magnificent Mile Art Festival (May 30–31).

The newsletter content provided contains no substantive updates—only a header indicating it is from 29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro, with the date May 18, 2026. No meetings/hearings, policy/ordinance changes, development/zoning actions, budget items, transit service changes, or street safety/design projects are mentioned.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) announced that the “Support the Police Rally” has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm due to funeral arrangements for Firefighter Steven Decker. The change is being made out of respect for him and the Chicago Fire Department. No zoning, development, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety actions were mentioned; the main update was the rally rescheduling.

In this May 17, 2026 newsletter, Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) reports on City Council hearings, including a combined committee hearing on Department of Technology and Innovation efficiencies and a follow-up process related to delays in replacing ShotSpotter (set for June 3), plus discussion and oversight items such as the appointment of a new Inspector General. She also highlights zoning meetings scheduled for this week (3834–3854 S. Ashland and 3540 S. Halsted) and notes ward-related public safety concerns and ongoing street work/closures on Wentworth and Pershing/related water main and ADA corner improvements. Other announcements include upcoming community events (Armour Square Park community meeting Tuesday, South Loop Chamber networking Thursday) and informational updates like the 11th Ward “Constituent Education Resource Card” for 2026 museum/zoo visits, along with office schedule changes after Memorial Day.

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s 45th Ward newsletter does not report any specific City Council zoning, housing, transit, streets, or budget meetings/hearings, nor any referenced ward development approvals or ordinances. The main political item is Gardiner’s attorney’s statement alleging political retaliation in Gardiner’s lawsuit, plus general constituent-service information (infrastructure help, 311/flood reporting, permits) and community/safety resources. Other major announcements include memorial services and tributes (including for Officer John Bartholomew), a business spotlight for local animal and bike shops, and scheduled beat meetings in several beats across the ward.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward) reports that the Centralized Affordable Housing Listing Ordinance passed out of committee and will go to the full City Council, creating a stakeholder working group and piloting ILHousingSearch.org to list city-financed affordable units. She also highlights city infrastructure and policy-related neighborhood updates, including beginning construction on the Kilmer Elementary School nature play area funded through participatory budgeting and scheduled city work such as tree trimming and residential street lighting projects (Chase and Paulina). Additional major announcements/events include Howard Street Carnaval today, Kidical Mass returning today, and the 24th District Council meeting on May 17.

Chicago’s 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez reported on multiple development- and streets-related updates, including a Q2 2026 town hall focused on development, a pre-construction meeting for the Elise Malary Plaza pedestrian project (with Catalpa closed between Clark and Ashland), and progress on the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape (including upcoming signal activation and related traffic changes). The newsletter also shared zoning input activity for 5155 N. Oakley (a special use permit feedback period for a Step 3 sober living proposal ending May 19), plus construction/traffic and safety-related street work (Ashland resurfacing, and new parking lane line changes/removal of Peak Hour Parking Restrictions on Ridge). Other announcements/events include People’s Budget project proposal submissions due June 1, Front Desk volunteer training May 29, and upcoming community events such as Mather High School’s Ethnic Fest (May 21–22) and Memorial Day volunteer flag setup at Rosehill Cemetery (May 22).

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) highlighted public-safety policy updates, including the Chicago CARE Program expanding to all 22 police districts and a June 3 follow-up committee hearing on replacing the city’s gunshot detection technology after a hearing this week failed to provide timelines or proposal evaluation details. The newsletter also recaps 43rd Ward feedback on the Francis W. Parker School expansion/field lighting proposal (618 responses total; residents prioritized concerns about traffic/parking, light pollution, and housing impacts) and describes ongoing pressure for more transparency around ComEd’s proposed 1111 W. Diversey substation, including an administrative hold request on demolition permits. Other updates include the ordinance taking effect legalizing ADUs (supported by Lawson) and upcoming community events such as the Mayfest on Armitage, the Block Heroes Oz Park Cleaning (May 17), and Lincoln Park Earth Day cleanup follow-ups.

In the 35th Ward, Alderman Anthony J. Quezada highlighted a Tuesday community meeting with CDOT on the Fullerton arterial resurfacing (Fullerton between Kimball and Lockwood), including resurfacing and pedestrian/crosswalk safety improvements, with work expected to run late spring through late fall. He also noted the Department of Water Management’s ongoing Irving Park sewer/water project on N. St. Louis, plus an announced zoning meeting on May 19 for a Belmont Avenue rezoning request at 2739–2743 W. Belmont. Other major updates include Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Public Health announcing citywide expansion of the CARE mental-health crisis response program, and upcoming CDOT work such as California Avenue resurfacing (Byron to Montrose) starting June 8; he also promoted the 4th Annual Connecting Communities Bike Ride on May 16 and various community/resource events and workday opportunities.

In Alderman Scott Waguespack’s 32nd Ward newsletter, he notes a Water Main Project update for Greenview/Fullerton to Altgeld (with 51% of the water-main phase completed) and lists upcoming street and alley repaving projects. He also invites residents to upcoming 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtables and provides reminders including CAPS meetings for the 14th and 19th police districts. Other announcements include a Victory Training one-year celebration, a Bucktown Community Organization shredding event (May 15–16 weekend), and the Lincoln/Roscoe Art + Craft Fair (May 16–17), along with additional local community events and citywide updates.

This newsletter is an invitation from Maria Hadden, Alderman of the 49th Ward, to an election re-election brunch with eggs and mimosas on Saturday, May 16 from 10am–12pm at La Choza Mexican Grill (7022 N. Clark St.), noting only a few tickets remain. It does not mention any zoning, development, housing, transit, budget/ordinance actions, or street safety items, and there are no other major policy announcements included beyond the campaign event and ticket link.

The Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward shared an updated 2026 Soldier Field Events Calendar, adding Chicago Bears home games and related event listings. The newsletter also references “Bronzeville Kite Day” as part of upcoming events.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlights no zoning/development/housing/transit/budget hearings, but notes a major community event: he met volunteers downtown at the Chicago River Day Cleanup and encouraged 42nd Ward residents to participate next year. He also shares a proposed Dog Friendly Area survey for Peanut Park (not yet approved) and provides numerous downtown event/closure updates, including the Lifetime Spring Half Marathon and Sueños Music Festival at Grant Park. Other major announcements include Memorial Day wreath laying and parade plans (May 23), upcoming CAPS meetings and a community meeting with 1st District CPD Commander Mannion (May 20), and significant street/CTA impacts from ongoing construction such as State/Lake CTA station reconstruction with State Street closed until June 19, 2026.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin reports that crews have removed the fencing and reopened the Western Brown Line Plaza, with only a few punch-list items remaining (CTA station work continues separately), and he notes City Council Energy & Environmental Protection Committee discussions with ComEd on summer electricity plans and grid infrastructure improvements. He also highlights policy-focused priorities including lowering electricity costs, expanding connections for renewable energy to the grid, and boosting recycling through composting food scraps, plus local neighborhood construction updates (Ashland concrete and planned milling for repaving) and upcoming events tied to the Solidarity Dine-In and Burning Bush Brewery’s Spring Fest.

Alderwoman Angela Clay’s 46th Ward newsletter highlights a major housing-related policy win: the Committee on Housing and Real Estate unanimously passed her “Flexible Heat Ordinance” (SO2026-0024086) to relax high-rise heating rules in October and April, with City Council final passage expected next week. It also notes zoning/development and housing activity, including a May 27 virtual meeting on a by-right proposed 5-story, 19-unit development at 665 W. Sheridan, plus other citywide/community updates like a citywide expansion of the CARE mental health program and a plan for new water-main work on Racine. Other major announcements include CDOT’s planned May 18 start to resurface Sheridan Road (Montrose–Foster) and several upcoming community events (Ward Night Out recap, It’s Your Park Day on May 30, and the Aug. 1 Back to School Bash).