Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

July 17, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

50th Ward Back to School Giveaway - July 26

It is never too early to start thinking about school and ways we can help all our children have a successful school year. The annual 50th Ward Back to School Giveaway will be on Sunday, July 26 at 10 AM. Join me at the Indian Boundary Park Nature Play Center for free backpacks and school supplies. Help your children start the school year off on the right foot!

The Indian Boundary Park Nature Play Center is in the northwest section of the park, near Estes and Rockwell. Backpacks will be distributed one per child on a first-come, first-served basis. Backpacks will ONLY be distributed to children, so make sure your child is present.

Thank you to our sponsors of this year’s giveaway, including Devon Sport at 2359 W Devon and AAIM Howard & Western LLC. I hope to see you all at Back to School!

Clean & Green Volunteer Opportunity

Join us for a community volunteer event to help keep our neighborhood Clean & Green! I am partnering with the West Ridge Cleanup Crew to pick up trash on Oakley Ave between Arthur and Granville. We will meet at the corner of Arthur & Oakley this Sunday, July 19 from 9 - 11 AM.

West Ridge Cleanup Crew is providing grabbers, gloves, and trash bags, but if you have any additional gear please bring it along.

Thank you to the West Ridge Cleanup Crew for organizing this event and to all our neighbors who care so deeply about our community! I hope to see you on Sunday at the Clean & Green!

City Council Update - Vote Delayed on Parking Meter Sale

The City Council’s Finance Committee delayed a vote this week on whether to approve the sale of Chicago’s parking meters to Stonepeak Partners, a New York investment firm. Mayor Brandon Johnson failed to release any meaningful information about the details of the sale before it came to committee, and this issue is too important to the people of Chicago to rush.

The vote is currently being delayed until September, and the terms are likely to change by then; however, I would have voted NO on the current plan had it come before the Council. I will update you with more information when it is available.

50th Ward Summer

We held two Ice Cream Social and Outdoor Office events over the last week, at Legion Park and at the corner of Maplewood & Devon. I had a wonderful time celebrating the summer with my neighbors, and I would like to thank everyone who came out!

Spending time as a community is the best way to enjoy the season, and we have plenty more summer events coming up! Visit 50thward.org/summer for all the details about our upcoming Ice Cream Socials, Back to School Giveaway, and 50th Ward Movie in the Park.

I hope to see you all out in the Ward!

Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC) Tour

I had a wonderful tour this week of the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC) headquarters right here in the 50th Ward. ECAC empowers refugees and immigrants through education, employment pathways, and community-led programs.

ECAC promotes Ethiopia and Africa’s rich culture and values while helping local refugees and immigrants through resettlement services, education, employment support, and youth programs. It was an honor to visit and to learn more about the vital work they do here in the 50th Ward and the entire Chicagoland area.

Tisha B'Av

This Thursday, July 23 is Tisha B’Av, an annual Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is the saddest and most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. I wish the 50th Ward’s entire Jewish community an easy fast and a complete and speedy consolation.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Back to School Giveaway Flyer

50th Ward Movie in the Park

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Community Yard Signs Now in Stock

Free yard signs are now available for pickup at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W. Devon. There are currently four signs in stock: “Caution - Children Playing,” “Clean Up After Your Dog,” “Do Not Litter,” and “Know Your Rights.” Stop by to pick up your free signs.

Please call before coming to make sure the office is open and your desired signs are still available.

SBA Low Interest Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will establish Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) for residents and businesses impacted by the severe storm that occurred on June 10, June 11, and June 17, 2026, to apply for low-interest loans. There will be two locations in the City of Chicago and two located in suburban Cook County municipalities – Alsip and Blue Island.

In Chicago, centers will be established at two Chicago Public Library locations, the Pullman Branch at 11001 S. Indiana and the Thurgood Marshall Branch, 7506 S. Racine Ave. 

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Small Business Improvement Grants - Lincoln Ave TIF

Local small business owners can now apply for funding to improve their facilities. The City of Chicago will accept Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications from business owners in the Lincoln Avenue TIF until Thursday, July 30 at 5 PM.

The SBIF program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to help owners repair or remodel their facilities and improve their businesses. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply. Grants up to $150,000 are available for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties.

Examples of what SBIF grants can pay for include:

• Exterior renovations and repairs, including new windows, doors and roofs

• Interior remodeling, including framing, drywall, flooring and ceilings

• Tuck-pointing and masonry repairs

• HVAC, electrical and plumbing system upgrades

• Structural components of new signage

• ADA improvements

• Project-related architectural and construction management fees

This round of funding is only available for businesses within the Lincoln Avenue TIF. To find out if your business is eligible, use the SBIF Locator Tool.

For more information about the SBIF program, visit chicago.gov/sbif. For any questions, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Events at the Northtown Library

Changosnakedog and Friends: Live Music, Puppets and Storytelling

Sunday, July 19 at 3-4 PM

Explore bilingual world-building and song with Otto Anzures Dadda and friends as they celebrate building community through puppetry. Changosnakedog and Friends delivers a vibrant, interactive, multicultural and bilingual live music experience featuring puppet rockstars. For families with kids 3 and up.

Tween Designers

Monday, July 20 at 4-5 PM

Join fellow tweens this summer for some fun crafts and games. For kids 9 to 13.

Tabletop Game Night

Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30-7:30 PM

Are you a train gamer, Catan champion, dice roller, or just looking to pick-up a new hobby? Join us at the Northtown branch on Tuesday evenings for tabletop board game play! 

Family Story Time

Wednesday, July 22 at 10:30-11:30 AM

Join us as we read books, sing songs and enjoy rhymes! For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

STEAM Makers

Thursday, July 23 at 4-5 PM

Join us for hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities every week. For kids 6 to 13.

English Conversation Class for Beginners

Saturday, July 25 at 11 AM - 12 PM

Are you an English language learner looking to practice your spoken English? Or are you currently taking our English Class for Beginners and looking for more help? Join us on Saturdays for our English Conversation Class from the Indo American Center! Each class is a drop-in session and no advance registration is required. For ages 6 and up.

All events are located at the Northtown Library at 6800 N. Western. For more information, contact (312) 744-2292 or [email protected].

Free Summer Meals at CPS

School is out, but Chicago Public Schools are still here to provide nutritious meals over summer break. Free meals are available throughout the summer at any CPS school where summer programs take place. All children up to the age of 18 may receive free meals. ID is not required but children must be present and meals must be consumed onsite.

Find your nearest meal distribution site here. For questions about summer meals, call (800) 359-2163 or text FOOD or visit WeGotYouIllinois.org.

Sign Up for Street Sweeping Alerts

Street sweeping has officially started and will continue through late-November. You can view the schedule for the 50th Ward as an interactive map here or download a printable version on the Department of Streets and Sanitation website here. Please double-check your address on the map to make sure you are looking at the correct section.

You can find a printable schedule for each individual sweeping section on the 50th Ward website at 50thward.org/sweeping.

You can also sign up for street sweeping alerts with We the Sweeple, a third-party website that pulls information from the publicly available sweeping schedule on the Streets and Sanitation website. Visit www.WeTheSweeple.com to sign up for email alerts when street sweeping is scheduled on your block.

Please note, the site is not affiliated with the City of Chicago, so please always double-check with the official schedule.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Summer Bird and Nature Walk

HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program

Rent and Utility Assistance