Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderwoman Ruth Cruz (30th Ward) is inviting residents to a Cook County Assessor’s Office one-on-one property tax exemptions assistance event on April 29 at Lorca Elementary School (4:00–7:30 PM). The newsletter also notes a recent kickoff workshop series and encourages residents to review eligible exemptions and apply for savings, including via online resources if they can’t attend in person. Other updates include ward office open hours and a drop-in meet-and-greet with Alderwoman Cruz on Monday night (5–7 PM).

Alderman Brian Hopkins’ 2nd Ward newsletter focuses on public safety following the shooting of two Chicago Police officers, urging scrutiny of SAFE-T-related release decisions and noting the amnesty period. It also highlights 18th District CAPS events (including the April 28 Police District Council meeting and court-advocacy signups), spring bridge lifts under way, and 2026 street sweeping now on the regular schedule, plus Near North and SOAR/community events (Older Adult Resource Fair April 28, Cardz for Kidz May 3, and the final Indoor SOAR farmers market April 30).

The newsletter text provided contains no substantive updates—no mentions of meetings/hearings, zoning/development actions, ordinances, budget decisions, major transit changes, or street safety/redesign projects. It also does not include any other events or announcements beyond identifying “29th Ward Alderman Taliaferro” and the email date (2026-04-27).

Alderman Raymond Lopez’s 15th Ward newsletter highlights ongoing neighborhood code enforcement and block surveys (sanitation, parking, building violations; reporting issues like faded street signs, graffiti, and trip hazards) along with several street/maintenance items such as 50th St resurfacing, fence repair at 49th/California, and cleanup work at 59th/Talman, 44th/Wood, and 56th/Wood. It also notes that the SSA visited the ward office (April 6–17) to help residents apply for low-interest disaster loans (applications due May 15, 2026), and announces youth summer internships, clean-and-green/tree debris cleanup activities, and a Chicago Park District winter round of Veteran/Military programs (Jan–Mar). Other major items include outreach to seniors to connect them with property tax exemptions/discounts and a call to report suspicious activity to 911 and the ward office.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights a Hermosa Town Hall that covered participatory budgeting and the community-led zoning process, and notes a community zoning meeting for a proposed rezoning at 3265 W. Armitage to build a 31-unit mixed-use development with six affordable units. The newsletter also directs residents on filing Welcoming City Ordinance complaints under the March 18 COPA Amendment Ordinance, and announces a Community Safety Town Hall on April 29 to review crime data and violence-prevention updates. Other major announcements include an Earth Day cleanup, a tree-planting event in Hermosa on April 25 (with Openlands), and office closure on May 1 for International Workers Day, plus additional upcoming community and youth/job events.

In her 11th Ward newsletter, Alderman Nicole T. Lee highlights City Council budget-related oversight planning, including a April 26 subject matter hearing on first-quarter financial performance and 2026 budget “efficiencies,” and notes a CPD workforce allocation study tied to next year’s budget hearings and oversight. She also points to DPD work on the Pilsen Industrial Corridor Study—asking that parts of the 11th Ward within PMD 11 be removed so parcels can be used for non-industrial development—and announces upcoming Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications (starting May 1) in multiple TIF districts. Other major updates include mourning CPD Officer John Bartholomew and offering free blue light bulbs from the 11th Ward office, library and school events (including Armour STEM open house on May 16), and ward/community items such as upcoming VA office hours and City/DPD/aviation small business summit info; she also lists ongoing street and utility construction/closures and an increase in Honda/Acura thefts.

Alderman Jim Gardiner’s Ward 45 newsletter focuses on Earth Day outreach in the community and urging residents to file 311 service requests for basement flooding so the city can target sewer infrastructure improvements. It also highlights that registration for Chicago Park District summer programs will open next week and provides Ward 45 resources, including contact info for infrastructure assistance and links to the city’s project/permit map. Other major items include calls to take part in CPS’s capital planning survey for the FY27 capital plan, a schedule of Beat Meetings for Ward 45, and general city/business resources such as Community Development Grants and BACP small-business webinars.

Alderman Debra L. Silverstein (50th Ward) shared a public safety alert after a Chicago police officer was killed and another was critically injured in shootings at Swedish Hospital; a suspect is in custody and residents are urged to contact the 17th District with any information. The newsletter does not reference any zoning/development, housing, transit, budget, or street safety policy meetings or approvals, but it offers condolences and thanks to the Chicago Police Department.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert that Chicago’s 20th District has confirmed a suspect is in custody as of 12:10 PM after an incident at Swedish Hospital; the area remains an active crime scene and travel may be restricted while investigators work. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy meetings/approvals, and includes no other major announcements or events.

Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) reports that the 20th District Police responded to shots fired at Swedish Hospital (5100 block of N. California Ave) on April 25 around 11:30 a.m.; two officers were shot. The suspect fled but was apprehended near the 2600 block of W. Winona, and residents are urged to provide any additional information to Chicago Police. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy/approval items are mentioned; the newsletter is solely a public safety update and request for tips.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert about an active shooting situation at Swedish Hospital and the 2600 block of W Winona, reporting multiple shots fired and two officers shot (one in critical condition) and advising residents to shelter in place or avoid the area. The office said it will send additional notifications as more information becomes available; no zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy items were included in this newsletter.

In the 49th Ward, Alderwoman Maria Hadden highlights seasonal city services and upcoming community meetings rather than any zoning/development or budget hearings: street sweeping begins and Loyola University move-out parking restrictions run April 27–May 4. Citywide infrastructure updates include CDOT street grinding on N. Glenwood Ave (Pratt Blvd to Devon Ave) and a residential lighting project on the Chase and Paulina blocks, alongside a Loyola Broadway construction note. She also announces ward events including a May 8 town hall at Jordan Elementary, a May 14 Citywide Green Mixer at Garfield Park Conservatory, and multiple community events in Rogers Park (e.g., Earth Day-related cleanups, First Friday Music on May 1, and Howard Street Carnaval on May 16).

Ald. Anthony J. Quezada (35th Ward) hosted a Community Driven Zoning and Development meeting for a proposed rezoning at 3458 W Belmont (from C1-1 to B2-2) to build a 3-story residential building with three units and parking; neighbors can submit feedback until May 8. He also announced an upcoming May 1 zoning feedback process for a request to lift a liquor moratorium on new on-premises liquor licenses at 3652 W Wrightwood, and noted other ward developments including ongoing Milwaukee Avenue streetscape work (La Placita sign installation) plus infrastructure updates like CDOT grinding/paving dates and IDOT/CTA construction activities. Other major items include Earth Day tree planting with Openlands and partners, Ward Night on May 4, the opening of Cook County property tax exemption applications, and May Day rallies in Logan Square and Union Park.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights a community zoning meeting for a proposed B3-1 to B2-3 rezoning at 3265 W. Armitage for a 31-unit mixed-use building with 6 affordable units, plus a Community Safety Town Hall (Apr. 29) covering crime data and violence-prevention updates. The newsletter also notes city/council policy process details from Fuentes’ March 18, 2026 COPA Amendment Ordinance regarding how to file Welcoming City Ordinance violation complaints, and describes ongoing ward investments discussed at the Hermosa Town Hall (including over $1.31M in infrastructure improvements and $4.2M in TIF for Hermosa Park’s field house). Other major items include a large Earth Day cleanup/celebration, upcoming tree planting on Apr. 25, and office closure for May Day (May 1).

Alderwoman Angela Clay (46th Ward) shared updates from the ward’s April 24 Infrastructure Town Hall and Community Budget launch, and highlighted ongoing street work including the start of the Grace Street Greenway and near-complete Montrose Beach bridge replacements (plus a new zoning approval support for 918–920 W. Eastwood to add two garden units). The newsletter also covered major development/housing actions such as IDHS signing a lease for a new office at 4750 N. Sheridan funded via a $2M Lawrence/Broadway TIF, and announcements including Trader Joe’s buildout at 804 W. Montrose. Other items included Earth Day community cleanups, upcoming events like the Toast of Uptown Wine Walk (April 26), and practical resident updates (LV2 parking pass pickup, SNAP work requirement changes, new food-scrap green carts, and resources for unhoused neighbors).

Alderperson Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) reports that last week at City Council he introduced an ordinance to reduce zoning red tape by allowing faith communities to rent unused off-hours parking spaces, and the amended draft will go to the Committee on Zoning (chaired by Ald. Gil Villegas). He also says Chicago’s ADU ordinance is now in effect (88 applications in the first two days), and his office is pressing for a zoning review of a proposed ComEd substation at 1111 W. Diversey. The newsletter also highlights his push with other aldermen to prioritize reopening long-term river bridge closures and provides local updates including the return of the Lincoln Park Farmers Market (45th season) and the unveiling of the LaSalle Street Underpass mural “Day into Night.”

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that State Street is fully closed from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street through May 22, 2026 for the State/Lake CTA Station Reconstruction, with CTA bus stop eliminations during the closure. He also notes upcoming 42nd Ward street and alley resurfacing funded through his Aldermanic Menu, including several projects beginning in late April and early May, plus various short-term traffic and bridge/intersection construction impacts. Other major announcements include the St. Jude Memorial Police March on Michigan Avenue on May 3 and public assemblies at 100 W Erie (May 25) and at Michigan & Delaware (May 1), along with multiple utility and bridge-testing closures citywide that could affect ward residents.

47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin highlighted a citywide expansion of the granny flat/coach house/accessory dwelling unit “by-right” legalization program, noting over 130 47th Ward homeowners have used earlier ADU rules and urging residents to review updated requirements. The newsletter also shared upcoming CDOT and transit-related construction updates (Western Brown Line work wrapping up and Ashland resurfacing), plus upcoming ward events such as the Ravenswood 5K (with parking restrictions), EcoFest on May 30, and Roscoe Village Clean & Green Day on April 25. Other major items include plans for accessibility improvements to Coonley’s playground pending funding, and an Amnesty Week for moving-violation fee payments (April 27–May 1).

Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) highlighted an upcoming Monday hearing on the status of Chicago’s 2026 budget, plus April CAPS meetings and neighborhood safety updates. He also noted city infrastructure and streets-related work: a new 8-inch water main project on the Dickens–Damen to Avondale area is complete with service transfers and lead service line replacements finished, and restoration is planned; he additionally shared the ward’s 2026 street-cleaning schedule. Other items included Earth Month cleanups, community composting at the Lincoln Belmont Library, a new Bucktown mural at 1945 N. Damen, CTA safety/patrol updates, and upcoming local events like library programs and a Wicker Park audio tour.

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez reports that her team is supporting an independent special prosecutor petition tied to ICE-related enforcement, with a Cook County Chief Judge ruling scheduled for May 11 (following increased ICE sightings). She also highlights zoning and development progress from the Community Driven Zoning and Development Process, including the construction of Jigzibik—an affordable housing project delivering 45 units in Irving Park. Other ward updates include spring resources (street sweeping beginning April 1, block party/yard sale permits) and upcoming Neighbor Night on May 4 at the 33rd Ward office.