Chicago Alderman Newsletter Tracker

The most important updates in this newsletter from Alderman Conway are the transit‑infrastructure changes: the State/Lake elevated station closure and new station construction, the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge rehabilitation, the Halsted/Chicago Avenue bridge project, and Ashland/I‑290 expressway viaduct work. A new parking ordinance imposes an overnight parking ban from 3 am to 7 am on 107 miles of main streets. Other highlights include CAPS safety meetings, a call for poll workers, SNAP benefit changes, and community events such as a Greek lecture and volunteer opportunities.

Alderman Dowell of the 3rd Ward reminds residents of the Chicago Bears game on January 18 (and a possible game on January 25) with fireworks if the Bears win. Residents are invited to vote on Poplar Park’s new splash‑pad design from January 6‑31 and to review the Chicago Seniors Connected brochure, which notes new SNAP work requirements effective February 1. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant program remains open with a February 13 deadline, offering up to $250,000 for commercial‑corridor projects, and additional community resources are highlighted.

Alderman David Moore of the 17th Ward announces the first meeting of the new year for ward residents. No additional meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street projects are mentioned. The newsletter contains no other major announcements or events.

Alderwoman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth highlighted several development‑related meetings, including a design session for Emanuel Congregation’s 5959 N Sheridan plans and a public feedback window for a proposed RS‑3 to RM‑4.5 zoning change at 1527 W Edgewater, as well as a virtual 2025 Year‑in‑Review town hall. The office also launched a Shared Cost Sidewalk Program to subsidize sidewalk repairs and installed new bike racks at Northside Catholic Academy, supporting street‑safety and redesign initiatives. In addition, Hahn Liquor received approval to relocate to 1355 W Devon, and the ward promoted other community events such as the Edgewater Indoor Market, a 20th‑District camera‑registration event, and an environmental town hall with MWRD.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward reports no upcoming meetings or policy changes related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget. He reminds residents that the office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for the MLK holiday and offers a free 2026 calendar magnet at the office. The newsletter also highlights a dog‑rescue initiative, a call for donations to St. Cyprian Food Pantry, and a list of current job openings in the area.

Alderman Tabares of the 23rd Ward highlighted a recent visit with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Greater Southwest Development Corporation to support local mom‑and‑pop businesses along the 63rd Street Corridor, noting that $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in the community. He urged residents to stay vigilant amid recent robberies, provided safety signage, and promoted volunteer opportunities for senior snow‑removal assistance. The newsletter also shared a video of the visit, links to local business hours, and reminders to report suspicious activity or request snow‑removal assistance through My Block, My Hood, My City.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that Minim Productions will film “The Fugitive” in Old Town on January 16‑17, 2026, with parking restrictions on both sides of Sedgwick St from Locust St to 830 N Sedgwick St and streets posted as NO PARKING/TOW ZONE. The notice provides contact details for the location managers and the City of Chicago Film Office for any questions. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are mentioned.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes for the 16th Ward this month. The 16th Ward Service Office is calling for volunteers to help host the 2026 Seniors and Veterans Valentine’s Day Luncheon. Office hours remain Monday‑Friday as listed.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced a virtual zoning meeting on February 6 to discuss Serve and Coco food‑delivery robots and highlighted a zoning inquiry for a 2‑flat rezoning at 2455 North California. He also referenced the City Council’s passage of the 2026 budget ordinances, noting that the mayor has not yet signed or vetoed them, and urged residents to review the budget blog. Other updates included a CPD‑ICE collaboration hearing, a rapid‑response training on January 27, a local school council candidate deadline on January 20, and a call for volunteers at Jose de Diego’s food pantry.

Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman’s January 2026 16th Ward newsletter does not mention any meetings, hearings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects. It highlights the ward’s service‑office hours, volunteer sign‑up opportunities, voter registration, and resources for seniors, veterans, and property owners. The newsletter also lists police‑district coverage and community‑event information.

The 15th Ward alderman’s newsletter reminds residents that the shared‑sidewalk application window closes tonight at 10 PM. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street‑safety projects are announced. The only update is the deadline for shared‑sidewalk applications.

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports that the “Time and Site” curfew ordinance passed the Committee on Public Safety 11‑4 and will be voted on by the full City Council on Wednesday, January 21. The office also announced that the 1800 N Clybourn site will be redeveloped under its current zoning, with demolition slated to begin soon and an addition of roughly 40,000 sq ft of retail space. The newsletter notes that the Holiday Tree Recycling program ends January 17 and lists several community events, including a weekly indoor farmers market and the O’Hare “Moment” submission deadline.

The Third Ward aldermanic office highlights upcoming SNAP benefit changes effective February 1 and a Property‑Tax Savings webinar, urging residents to update their information and stay informed. It also announces two major state grant initiatives: a $50 million Restore, Reinvest, Renew program for historically underserved communities and a new CEJA Capacity Grant program launching in 2026 to support clean‑energy workforce development. No zoning, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety updates were included in this issue.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes highlighted a January 12 community meeting to discuss a zoning change for a 44‑unit affordable housing project at 3251 W Division St, and announced the groundbreaking of 61 affordable senior apartments at the Pioneer Arcade in Humboldt Park. The 26th Ward also opened the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on January 12 to help residents repair sidewalks, and reminded residents that the 2026 Participatory Budgeting ballot remains open for two more weeks. Additionally, the ward celebrated a $2.3 million Community Development Grant awarded to the Chicago Community Justice Foundation for a building renovation that will create co‑located services and jobs.

Alderman William Hall invites residents to the 6th Ward Community‑Wide Meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026, at St. James Community Church, where plans for the year ahead and the 6th Ward Forward Initiative will be discussed. The meeting will also feature the introduction of new 6th District Commander Andre Poston, who will speak directly with neighbors. No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget actions are announced in this edition.

Alderman Anthony A. Beale of the 9th Ward announces a citywide shared‑cost sidewalk program available only on Monday, January 12th from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with applications closing once spots fill. The program offers discounted sidewalk improvements for eligible property owners, with details and application instructions available online. No other meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit service changes, or street safety projects are highlighted in this newsletter.

Alderwoman Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward announced a public zoning meeting for 3423‑3427 S. Morgan and an upcoming meeting on Feb. 2 for 3363 S. Morgan, and listed several City Council committee sessions in January. She noted the alternative budget passed earlier this month includes an additional $1 million for gender‑based and domestic‑violence support, and highlighted the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program opening for applications on Jan. 12. The ward also received a $150,000 pre‑development grant for a new Korean‑Japanese diner at 3265 S. Halsted, and the city is proceeding with major street‑resurfacing, lighting, and sewer/main replacement projects along S. Morgan, S. Halsted, and the 35th St‑Parnell corridor. Other updates include a homeless‑encampment outreach effort, concerns over upcoming gas rate hikes, a rabies case, and community safety incidents such as car break‑ins and a hit‑and‑run near the Orange Line Halsted Station.

The 49th Ward’s alderwoman Maria Hadden notes that the Department of Water Management will begin a 75‑day sewer‑lining project on N Greenview Ave (Nov 24 2025‑Jan 2026), and that CTA’s 36 Broadway and 151 Sheridan bus routes have new schedules effective Dec 21. A Shared‑Cost Sidewalk Program opens Jan 12 to repair cracked sidewalks, and the alderwoman has returned to office after medical leave. Other highlights include a Rogers Park Library movie screening, a January 15 blood drive, and several community volunteer opportunities.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato of the 38th Ward announces the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, opening January 12th, which lets property owners repair sidewalks at a low cost—an initiative aimed at improving street safety. He also highlights community resources, including a dog‑rescue campaign, a food‑pantry donation link, and a local car‑rental facility, and lists a wide range of job openings in police, fire, and municipal services. The newsletter provides the 38th Ward office contact details and directs residents to apply for the sidewalk program through 311 or the ward office.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a community meeting on January 12 at 3251 W Division St where residents backed a zoning change to allow a 44‑unit affordable‑housing development. The ward also celebrated the groundbreaking of 61 affordable senior apartments at Pioneer Arcade and the award of a $2.3 million Community Development Grant to the Chicago Community Justice Foundation for a new community hub. Additionally, the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program opens for applications on Jan. 12, the participatory‑budgeting ballot remains open, and the ward hosted a Three Kings Day gift giveaway and other cultural events.