Celebrations & Appreciations

Tzom kal 

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins Sunday night. We wish everyone who celebrates a meaningful holiday and an easy fast. 

Shred-A-Thon a Success!

2026-27 Youth Council Begins

Ward Updates

St. Ignatius Campus Community Survey Results

In July, the 49th Ward, Loyola University Chicago, and the Ignatian Mission Center hosted a community meeting regarding a proposed new development for the St. Ignatius campus at 6555-6559 N Glenwood and the former Waldorf School at 1300-1320 W Loyola. More information on the proposal is available on the 49th Ward website at 49thward.org/stignatius.

Following the meeting, a survey was shared for community members to complete, and our office received over 450 responses. You can find the survey results here.

The survey results demonstrated overwhelming support for the Ignatian Mission Center’s adaptive reuse of the existing church and rectory to stand up a social service center and women’s shelter for survivors of domestic violence, with 92.1% of 49th Ward respondents supporting the proposal outright or with changes. While a majority of 49th Ward residents support Loyola University’s proposal to build 65 units of student housing at the former Waldorf School site located at 1300-1320 W. Loyola, that support was weaker than for the complementary Ignatian Mission Center proposal, with only 66.7% of 49th Ward respondents supporting the proposal outright or with changes. In the open-ended questions, respondents expressed concerns about other Loyola University-owned properties in the area that remain vacant and asked Loyola to provide affordable housing options for existing Rogers Park residents.

Our office is currently reviewing the survey results with Loyola University and the Ignatian Mission Center to see if there are opportunities to incorporate any of the feedback into a final plan. Keep an eye on our newsletter for updates on this proposal. Thank you all for sharing your input with us.

Indivisible Rogers Park-West Ridge Hosting Benefit Concert on October 9th

Tenants' Rights and Fair Housing Event October 10th

Join the 49th Ward, Uptown People’s Law Center, and North Side Community Resources for tenant rights training at Kilmer International Academy, 6700 N. Greenview. The event will take place on Saturday, October 10th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Submit a Tree Planting Request

Request a new tree to be planted now through September 27th!

Unfortunately, our neighborhood lost many trees due to the number of torrential rains and severe storms this summer. To restore our canopy, the 49th Ward is working closely with the Bureau of Forestry to plant new trees across the ward.

Please complete this form to request a new tree to be planted. Requests will be accepted now through September 27th. Please note that completing the form does not guarantee that a tree will be planted.

Share Your Input on a New Mural in Jarvis Square

Jarvis Square will soon be home to a beautiful new mural design by local artist Oscar Joyo! Oscar and his team want your input on how they can make this mural the best representation of Jarvis Square and Rogers Park.

To complete the survey, visit bit.ly/JarvisMural. Learn more about Oscar Joyo and view his portfolio at oscarjoyoart.com.

Free Smoke Detectors and Wheel Clubs Available in the 49th Ward Office

Infrastructure Updates

Estes Water Main Replacement Updates

The Department of Water Management (DWM) is installing a new water main in the 49th Ward on Estes between Ridge and Clark. Excavation of the north side of Estes (westbound lane, between Ridge and Damen) began on August 11th. Construction will only take place during the week. Only in cases of emergency will construction be done on a weekend.

This week, contractors continued replacing the sewers on Estes. Once the sewer replacements are complete, the contractor will begin installing the water main toward Clark. 

No lead service line work, water service interruptions, or restoration work is scheduled for this week. The Department of Water Management (DWM) will relay any changes to our office. 

A partial lane closure remains in effect on the northern side of Estes (westbound lane, between Ridge and Damen). Local traffic may be limited during work hours due to equipment staging and the movements of other machinery needed to perform the work. One lane will always remain open in each direction during construction hours for buses and regular traffic. With the lane closure in effect, local traffic will have limited access. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained for the duration of the closure.

"No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of the street during construction hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM) where work is being performed. Parking will be allowed outside of work hours and on weekends. All signage will be placed 48 hours before work begins and will be limited to the block where work is actively taking place or being staged. Crews will work to preserve as much parking as possible. "No Parking" signs will only be posted where crews are actively working and the parking restrictions will move along as the crew makes progress in the project. 

Residents in the affected address range (2040 - 1790 W. Estes Ave) should enter their contact information in the survey here. We receive weekly updates about this project and would like to relay information that may directly affect residents on this block.

Please contact our office with any inquiries at [email protected] or call 773-338-5796.

Upcoming Street Grinding & Resurfacing Schedule

Neighbors, please be advised of the upcoming street grinding and resurfacing schedule for the 49th Ward, provided by the Department of Transportation.  Please be aware of all orange CDOT signs in the public way to avoid being ticketed or towed. 

Street grinding schedule:

• Chase between Sheridan and Lake Michigan (1200-1300 W. Chase) - Scheduled for 10/1/26
• Damen between Rogers and Jarvis (7400-7700 N. Damen)- Scheduled for 10/2/26
• Damen between Fargo and Jarvis (7400-7432 N. Damen) - Scheduled for 10/2/26

Street resurfacing schedule:

• Arthur between Bosworth and Glenwood (1400-1530 W. Arthur) - Scheduled for 9/25/26
• Loyola between Lakewood and Glenwood (1300-1400 W. Loyola)- Scheduled for 9/29/26 (pending DWM repair)
• Wallen between Ravenswood and Ashland (1600-1800 W. Wallen)- Scheduled for 9/23/26
• Paulina between Juneway and Jonquil (7700-7764 N. Paulina)- Scheduled for 9/22/26
• Hermitage between North Shore and Pratt (6700-6800 N. Hermitage) - Scheduled for 9/30/26 (pending DWM repair)

Loyola Divvy Station Temporarily Relocated

Community Engagement

Windy City Sportsfest September 19th

Jazz Night at L'Angolto Italiano September 19th

Sentieri Italiani and L’Angolo Italiano have collaborated to host a Jazz Night on September 19th from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Enjoy small bites and beverages accompanied by John Roothaan on Piano, Charles Jaffe on Drums, and Lou Marini on Bass. 

Tickets can be purchased via Zelle -  [email protected] - by September 14th. Sentieri member tickets are $70.00, and non-member tickets are $80.00.

Senior Movie Day at the 24th District September 23rd

Election Protection Fest September 26th

Fall Orchard Celebration at Triangle Park September 26

'Blers Bash Fan Fest October 10th

Join the Loyola men’s and women’s basketball teams for the inaugural ‘Blers Bash Fan Fest on Saturday, October 10, inside Gentile Arena! Admission is FREE, and the event features youth basketball skills stations, autograph sessions, photos with the players, music from a local DJ, and other interactive kids' activities. The event is open-house style with doors opening at 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Visit www.loyolaramblers.com/blersbash for more information and to RSVP!

Chicago Day of the Girl October 11th

Chicago is a global city — and its girls prove it every day. The girl from Englewood carries Mississippi in her bones. The girl from Little Village brings Michoacán in her voice. Roseland, Pilsen, Rogers Park, Austin — every neighborhood holds a world. Yet segregation creates cultural distance between girls who live just miles apart and never truly exchange space.

This year's Chicago Day of the Girl event will address segregation. Segregation is not just a housing issue. It is a girlhood issue. When girls only know their own block, their sense of what is possible stays small. LadyPalooza is a room where a girl from Roseland sits beside a girl from Rogers Park for the first time. Where a girl with roots in Lagos recognizes herself in a girl with roots in Jalisco. Where the city’s invisible walls come down for one full day — and girls realize they were never as alone as geography made them feel.

Chicago Day of the Girl takes place on Sunday, October 11th, from 10 am to 3 pm. For more information and to register, visit ChicagoDayoftheGirl.com. 

Circles and Ciphers Fundraiser October 17th

Join Circles & Ciphers at their fundraiser on October 17! Everybody Eats envisions a community where everyone can thrive—Circles and Ciphers advances this vision by helping young people heal, create, and grow. Following funding cuts, Circles and Ciphers and the United Church of Rogers Park are bringing Rogers Park and the Circles & Ciphers community together to honor and celebrate our history, invest in our future, and sustain this work.

The event will feature:

• A community meal 
• Performances from the neighborhood and C&C artists
• A storytelling panel

Upcoming Rogers Park Branch Library Events

• September 5th, September 28th, and October 26th:
  Open Mic
• September 9th, October 14th, and November 11th: 
  Song Club
   

Goodman Theatre's GeNarrations Classes Return to Willye White Park this Fall

Registration for the upcoming sessions of GeNarrations, led by the Goodman Theatre and teaching artist Zahra Baker, opens on September 1st!  Classes take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, September 22nd through November 4th at Willye White Park, 1610 W. Howard.

To sign up for a class and learn more, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Registration. 

Sign Up for No School Day Camps at Culture of Safety

Connect Your Block Club with the 24th District

The 24th District Chicago Police Department’s Office of Community Policing is reaching out to current, former, and future block clubs throughout the 24th District community. Block clubs provide residents with an organized way to communicate concerns, share information, access resources, and work together on solutions that strengthen their neighborhood.

Current block clubs are asked to confirm their leadership and contact information and remain involved in neighborhood outreach, beat meetings, community events, and follow-up efforts. Former or inactive block clubs are encouraged to reconnect. 

Residents interested in starting a new block club are also welcome. You do not need to have everything organized before contacting the 24th District. We can help guide you through the beginning steps and connect you with available district and community resources.

Please provide or confirm the following information:

• Contact name
• Block club name or proposed name
• Block boundaries or location
• Telephone number and email address
• Beat of residence
• Current status: active, inactive, reorganizing, or new
• Assistance or resources needed

Glenwood Sunday Market Open

Events at the Rogers Park Branch Library

Rogers Park Arts

The Factory Theatre Presents: Advance Man: Part One of the Honeycomb Trilogy

Astronaut Bill Cooke returns from the first manned mission to Mars bearing secrets and illicit cargo. Now his wife and teenage children are all that stand between Bill and a shocking action that will alter not only their lives, but all of humanity. ADVANCE MAN is the first part of Mac Rogers’ epic "The Honeycomb Trilogy," three stand-alone plays set in the same universe chronicling a conflict both intimate and global that will redefine the nature of the human race.

In this heart-pounding first play of Strawdog’s ambitious two-year project, playwright Mac Rogers tackles xenophobia, climate change, and family drama with his distinctive blend of sci-fi and horror.

Enjoy Part One of the Honeycomb Trilogy at The Factory Theater at 1623 W Howard through September 27th. Tickets are available online at strawdog.org.

Lifeline Theatre Presents: A Wrinkle in Time

Ever since her father vanished under mysterious circumstances, Meg Murray’s life has been spiraling out of control. But one dark and stormy night, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which appear with a promise to help rescue him from the monstrous darkness that threatens the universe.

Join Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, their pal Calvin, and a host of extraterrestrial friends and foes as they journey into the heart of a terrible evil in the hope of reuniting a fragmented family.

A Wrinkle in Time previews at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood, on Friday, September 11. The show will open on September 14th and run through October 18th. Learn more and purchase tickets online.

Theatre Above the Law Presents: Grimm

In this original Theatre Above the Law adaptation by Michael Dalberg (Cyrano, The Blood Countess, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), Jakob Grimm is transported through the moon in search of his brother Wilhelm after fighting the wolf off of granny and Little Red. He ends up in a cabaret bar hosted by the wolf, Little Red, and several survivors of their stories.

The show opens October 9th and will run through November 1st. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. All performances will be held at the Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis. Tickets range from $15 to $30 and can be purchased at theatreatl.org or by calling 773-655-7197. 

6311 Arts Presents: Portrait Mode and  Trying to Keep it Together

Keep your focus on the subject and let the rest melt away in this human-centric exhibition. Artists: Mr. Brooks, Alejandra Guerrero, Hector Hernandez, Eddwin Meyers, Harry Sudman, Adrian Zavala, with video by DePaul Experimental Filmmaking and sculpture by Nancy Pirri.

In the side galleries, see artist Brian Eaton going solo in "Trying to Keep It All Together."

Both shows run through October 17th. For more information, visit 6311 Arts' website.

The Factory Theater Presents: Muffed

Youth Shine in 49

Chicago Public Libraries Expands Access for CPS Students

The Chicago Public Library is excited to announce that for the first time, every CPS student will begin the school year with library access already built into their student ID, connecting more than 315,000 students to CPL collections, digital resources, and free online homework help and live tutoring. 

Across their 82 libraries, CPL has also delivered 5,700+ storytimes reaching approximately 150,000 children and caregivers, moved 1.4 million requested books and materials between neighborhoods, supported early voting at 25 library locations, and welcomed more than 110,000 visitors to the new Obama Presidential Center Branch in its first two months. 

Together, these results reflect what neighborhood libraries make possible every day: Stronger readers, greater access to learning and information, and trusted public spaces connecting Chicagoans to resources and opportunity.

Apply for After School Matters' Fall Programs

Reduced Transit Fares for Students

No-Cost Vaccines Available for Students

VFW Scholarship Opportunities

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is offering two scholarships for students entering sixth through twelfth grade!

The Patriot’s Pen scholarship is a $5,000 award for middle schoolers and requires a 300-400 word essay on the subject “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”. The Voice of Democracy Scholarship is a $35,000 award for high schoolers requiring a 3-5 minute voice essay on the same topic.

Apply by October 31st! 

Need to Know Info

Food Distribution Event for Seniors September 21st

U.S. Small Business Administration Offering Low-Interest Loans to Residents & Businesses Impacted by July 27th Storms

Receive Free Vital Records on September 26th

The federal administration is escalating efforts to create citizenship lists and make it harder for people to register and vote.

The City of Chicago and Cook County are partnering to help residents get free certified birth certificates and register to vote—all in one place. Having these documents in hand can help Chicagoans be prepared for new barriers the federal government may try to put between them and the ballot box.

Register for free today, get your documents, and make sure you’re ready to exercise your right to vote.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 pm
Location: Manning Library, 6 S. Hoyne

You must bring one of the following forms of valid identification to qualify:

• State-issued ID
• State-issued Driver's License
• United States-issued passport

Check for Missing Property Tax Exemptions

Property tax exemptions are savings that can lower your property tax bill. Check the bottom left-hand corner of your Second Installment Property Tax Bill for exemption deductions. Most homeowners are eligible for the Homeowner Exemption, and most senior homeowners over the age of 65 are eligible for the Senior Exemption. You can learn about exemptions on the Assessor’s website.

If you are missing an exemption that you believe you are eligible for, apply for a Certificate of Error to correct your property tax bill. Submit your online application immediately to have your missing exemptions applied.

Art is Labor Initiative

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) launched the second phase of the “Art is Labor” initiative, which provides educational and resource-sharing programs developed with and for Chicago’s creative workers. Through December 2026, creative workers and their employers can attend events, film screenings held in partnership with the Chicago Film Office, and webinars on the City of Chicago’s labor laws, connecting participants with organizational partners across the creative sector who are advancing worker rights through their own programs and initiatives.  

The 2026 “Art is Labor” programming will be updated regularly with new information and events until the end of the year. DCASE, BACP, and 2nd Story, a Chicago-based storytelling collective, will co-host two workshops in October addressing disability and creative worker rights. One webinar will be designed for individual creative workers and the second for employers of creative workers. Workshops will highlight resources that are available via the City of Chicago and from other organizations. Updates and additional information on programming will be available at Chicago.gov/CreativeWork. 

Neighborhood Market Grant Application Now Open

Learn More about Becoming a District Councilor

Apply to Become a CAPS Community Leader

The Chicago Police Department is seeking community members who are passionate about serving their neighborhoods and working collaboratively to build trust, strengthen community partnerships, and support safer, stronger communities across Chicago.

Your involvement can help the department:
 

• Build relationships that last
• Address neighborhood concerns and share ideas
• Strengthen communication between residents and law enforcement
• Connect residents with community resources and opportunities
• Encourage positive community involvement
• Develop solutions through collaboration and problem-solving
• Create safer and stronger neighborhoods together

Apply for the Community Engagement Response Team's (CERT) Fall Training Program

The City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) invites residents to register for the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) training program for Fall 2026.

This volunteer program was developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985 and implemented nationally by FEMA in 1993. CERT members train for a minimum 27 hours of classroom and 3 hours hands-on practical skills in the following areas before becoming a registered volunteer:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire safety & utility controls
• Light search and rescue
• Team organization
• Disaster psychology
• Terrorism response
• Disaster medical operations

Upon completion of the class, participants have the option to become a Chicago Citizen Corps CERT volunteer and assist professional emergency services in various deployments. Past participants have played a role in emergency exercises and assisted the City of Chicago during various large-scale emergencies such as the response to COVID-19, Emergency Operations Center activations, and other natural disasters. Other special events that CERT volunteers assist in are the Chicago Air and Water Show, St. Patrick’s River Dyeing, Chicago Marathon, Summertime beach safety patrols, and more.

Residents can register online by clicking here.

Second Installment Property Tax Bills Now Available

Residents Impacted By Storm May Be Eligible to Receive a One-Time $150 Gift Card for Groceries

1. City of Chicago residency
2. Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines, required by CSBG and determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Documentation from ComEd verifying a power outage of two (2) consecutive days or more. See attached FAQ for details on confirming a power outage.

Federal Changes to Medicaid Begin January 2027

Share Feedback to Inform
 Police Superintendent Search

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced five community listening sessions across Chicago as part of its nationwide search for the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Feedback gathered during these sessions will help inform the Commission’s search and evaluation of candidates before it submits three finalists to the Mayor for consideration later this fall, as required by ordinance.

Residents who are unable to attend a listening session are encouraged to submit feedback through the Commission’s online community feedback form at ccpsa.chicago.gov.

For more information about the Superintendent search, upcoming engagement opportunities, or to submit feedback online, visit CCPSA's website.

Lime Shares E-Scooter Safety Reminders

Divvy Memberships Start at $5/Year

Low-income Chicagoans may qualify for the Divvy for Everyone (D4E) program. This program offers access to the Divvy bike network across the city starting at just $5 a year. Learn more and sign up at divvybikes.com/d4e.

Additional Resources