Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward invites residents to celebrate Black History at the DuSable Museum on February 7, with a family‑friendly gathering and ribbon cutting at 9:30 AM. The event, hosted alongside Mayor Brandon Johnson and other community leaders, aims to honor 100 years of Black History Month and strengthen community ties.

The September 12, 2025 newsletter from 17th Ward Alderman David Moore contains no updates on zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget matters. It primarily invites residents to volunteer and highlights community resources, including job information, education and programming, public safety, and senior services.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the CTA will roll out charcoal‑activated air filters and increased police presence at the Clark/Lake stop to curb smoking, while renewing contracts with social‑service agencies to assist unhoused riders. The ward’s zoning committee is moving a transit‑served, four‑story, 21‑unit affordable‑housing proposal for 1805 N. Campbell to the City Council, and the North Avenue substation at North and Damen has been completed, with the California Blue Line station rehabilitation slated to begin this spring. Additional updates include a food‑delivery‑robot presentation, a Complete Streets meeting, and a February East Village Association meeting on blanket B3 zoning and tavern moratoriums.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted community events such as the 3rd Annual Harold Ramis Day, the Movies in the Park survey, and the upcoming 2nd Ward Shred Event, while also attending the SOAR and Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce meetings. He also provided updates on the March 17 Primary Election, early‑voting sites, and a pet‑adoption event. Additional community activities include the Indoor Farmers Market, Valentine’s Day Dance, and various local dinners and summits.

The 46th Ward office reports an emergency water main repair at 807‑813 W Belle Plaine, with crews defrosting trapped vehicles and repairing the leak tomorrow, causing temporary street closures. Residents with frozen cars should relocate or contact Streets and Sanitation; the office will provide updates as they receive them.

The 29th Ward newsletter announces the launch of the free Recycle Coach app, which connects residents to hyper‑local waste and recycling information. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects were mentioned. Residents are encouraged to explore the new app for efficient recycling practices.

Alderman Pat Dowell of the 3rd Ward hosted a public hearing on the proposed Chicago Tourism Improvement District and co‑sponsored a resolution to hold a hearing on the city’s split advanced pension payment. The ward is also seeing development activity with the start of construction on the new Bronzeville Regional Senior Center, several Community Development/NOF and DCASE grants awarded to local projects, and a sewer‑lining project on Root Street, while the Roosevelt Road Bridge will be closed for testing from Feb. 4‑6. Additional highlights include Chicago’s hosting of the 2026 WNBA All‑Star Game, a new Adopt‑a‑Landmark grant for the Pierce Arrow Building, and updated parking restrictions for South Loop events during Bears and Soldier Field games.

Alderman William Hall invites residents to the 6th Ward Community Zoning Meeting tonight at 6 PM to vote on zoning matters, including two sober‑living facilities and gas station expansions. The meeting will be held at St. James Community Church, 8000 S. Michigan Avenue, and residents living between 71st–75th and 83rd–87th are eligible to vote. No other major announcements are included in this newsletter.

In her 11th Ward newsletter, Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee reports that the City Council joint committee meeting considered expanding the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to investigate CPD violations of the Welcoming Cities Ordinance, with a full City Council vote expected later in February. She also highlights an approved residential development at 2606 S. Peoria St and announces upcoming zoning hearings for 3237 S. Parnell (Feb. 17) and 3363 S. Morgan (Feb. 2). Other major updates include emergency water repairs from recent main breaks during extreme cold, Citywide/ward public safety alerts (including reported Honda Civic airbag thefts), and ward construction notes (ongoing resurfacing on Wentworth and water/sewer work around Parnell, including related traffic impacts).

Alderman William Hall of the 6th Ward invites residents to the Community Zoning Meeting on February 2nd at 6:00 PM (doors open 5:30 PM) at St. James Community Church, 8000 S. Michigan Avenue. The meeting will focus on zoning matters, including sober living facilities and proposed gas station developments. No other policy changes or events are announced in this newsletter.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward highlighted the launch of the CTA and CDOT’s Better Streets for Buses Plan, a policy change aimed at improving bus corridors and street treatments, and urged residents to complete the CTA survey before it closes on Jan. 31. He also updated on the Fletcher Water Main Project, noting ongoing water service work and no scheduled shutdowns, and announced the R3 grant program opening applications through March 6. Additional announcements included the end of Chicago Restaurant Week, the Illinois Restaurant Association meeting, and reminders about the upcoming March 17 primary vote‑by‑mail deadline.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward reported attending committee meetings and the first Urban Forestry Advisory Board meeting, and highlighted a hearing on federal operations. The ward is preparing for a DWM sewer rehabilitation project that will line sewers west of N Greenview Ave, a budgetary infrastructure effort. The newsletter also announced the upcoming splash pad at Willye B. White Park, a new Velvet Rose Tattoo Club, and a Protect RP community gathering at New Field Elementary, among other community events.

Councilwoman Andre Vasquez announced that the Welcoming City Ordinance was approved by committee and will be voted on by the full City Council later this month, strengthening accountability for immigration enforcement. The 40th Ward is also advancing street improvements, with the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and Ashland Avenue resurfacing underway, while a virtual immigration briefing is scheduled for February 10. Additional updates include a Department of Planning and Development grant deadline, election judge recruitment, and community events such as the Peirce Day fundraiser and a blues performance at Budlong Woods Library.

On January 30, Alderman Timmy Knudsen of the 43rd Ward held community meetings at Gold Coast and Lincoln Park and visited Lincoln Elementary for Career Day, while also advancing a measure to allow the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to review verified complaints under the Welcoming City Ordinance. He urged Mayor Johnson and CDOT to prioritize reopening the Cortland Bridge and other river bridges, and released updates on CDOT’s e‑scooter and e‑bike policy. The newsletter also highlighted Restaurant Week, the new Chi Street Work Portal, and the 311 parking enforcement options for residents.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a zoning community meeting on February 4 to review a proposed zoning change for 3251 W. Division that would add 44 affordable housing units, and highlighted a recent public hearing on the COPA amendment that expands police investigative powers. She also noted ongoing construction on California Avenue between North and Armitage, the city’s bike‑lane plowing schedule, and a Boulevard Landmark District Extension Project that preserves historic character, while reminding residents of upcoming street‑work by CDOT. Other updates included a blood‑donation drive on March 4, a reentry program presentation by the City of Chicago Office of Re‑Entry, and community events such as a senior Valentine’s brunch and a seed swap.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward highlights the launch of the CTA and CDOT Better Streets for Buses Plan, a policy initiative that will prioritize bus corridors on Ashland, Fullerton, and Western and invites residents to complete a survey through January 31. He also reports on the ongoing Fletcher Water Main Project, noting lead service line replacement at 2118 W Fletcher and private drain work on the 2100 block, with no scheduled water shutdowns. Other updates include encouragement to support local businesses during Chicago Restaurant Week, a reminder to apply for Vote‑By‑Mail for the March 17 primary, and a call to apply for the R3 grant program.

Alderman Anthony J. Quezada of the 35th Ward reports that the City Council passed an ordinance expanding the Civilian Office of Police Accountability’s authority over Welcoming City Ordinance complaints, following two ICE‑related committee meetings. The newsletter also announces new SNAP work‑requirement changes effective Feb. 1, a community tree‑planting day on April 25, and a food pantry event on Feb. 5, while reminding residents of snow‑clearing duties and upcoming ward‑night appointments. Additional updates include a protest against ICE in Minneapolis, a partnership with Openlands for tree planting, and various constituent resources such as parking relief and emergency heating repair programs.

Alderman Matt O'Shea of the 19th Ward announces a February donation drive for Ronald McDonald House, urging residents to donate items from the wish list at drop‑off locations in Beverly, Mount Greenwood, and the Rep. Ryan office. The event is co‑hosted by Senator Bill Cunningham, Representative Mary Gill, Representative Rick Ryan, and Congressman Casten. The newsletter also highlights the Illinois Secure Choice retirement program, which offers a state‑facilitated savings option for workers and employers across the state.

The 15th Ward Office is offering COVID or flu vaccines to residents. The vaccination event is held at the ward office and is open to anyone who wishes to receive a shot. No other meetings, policy changes, or development updates were announced in this newsletter.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward attended the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) annual meeting, where he discussed the Smart Streets Pilot Program, plans for DuSable Park, new businesses, and announced upcoming infrastructure projects for the neighborhood. He also reminded residents of the winter parking restrictions that apply from December 1 to April 1. Additionally, the alderman noted CTA bus schedule changes and several temporary traffic closures due to filming and construction projects.