Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

January 16, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Holiday Lights Recycling

Our holiday lights recycling drive is halfway done, and we have already collected hundreds of pounds of broken strings of lights, keeping them out of landfills.

The 50th Ward is proudly partnering once again with Reduce Waste Chicago to collect holiday lights through the end of January. Drop yours off during normal business hours at 2949 W. Devon.

Last year, RWC diverted thousands of pounds of lights from landfills, and this year we are looking to do even more! Separate lights from any other decor, garland, or wreaths before dropping them off and avoid plastic bags or cardboard packaging. Always try replacing bulbs and fuses first before recycling your lights.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Help protect the environment by recycling your old Christmas tree! Trees can be dropped off at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western, and dozens of other locations throughout the city until Saturday, January 17.

The mulch that is created from recycling Christmas trees is used in local parks to protect and nourish plants and soil. Mulch is also available to Chicago residents—free of charge—at six park locations, including Warren Park.

Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted (no garlands or wreaths). Because the trees are mulched, all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls.

The City of Chicago recycles thousands of Christmas trees every year, diverting hundreds of thousands of valuable organic material from landfills. With your help, this year can be even more successful! For more information and a map of all the recycling locations, click .

Business Alert From the Chicago Police

The Chicago Police have issued an alert about business burglaries in the 20th and 24th Districts, including two incidents in West Ridge. In the incidents, an unknown suspect smashed open the front doors of businesses and took cash registers and money.

The suspect is described as an African American male, between 16 and 25 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark clothes, a black face mask, and gloves. A video of the suspect is available at: .

The incidents occurred at the following dates and locations:

• 6300 block of N. Claremont on January 9, 2026, between 3 AM and 4:30 AM (West Ridge)

• 6300 block of N. Artesian on January 7, 2026, at 4:32 AM (West Ridge)

• 1100 block of W. Granville on January 4, 2026, at 4:39 AM (Edgewater)

• 1100 block of W. Bryn Mawr on January 4, 2026, at 7:30 AM (Edgewater)

• 1100 block of W. Argyle on January 2, 2026, at 5:38 AM (Uptown)

• 1100 block of W. Argyle on January 2, 2026, at 5:28 AM (Uptown)

• 1100 block of W. Argyle on December 14, 2025, at 2:54 AM (Uptown)

If you have any information, please contact the Area 3 Bureau of Detectives at (312) 744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at and use Reference # P26-3-001.

High School Election Judges Needed

Chicago is looking for high school students to serve as Election Judges for the upcoming Primary Election. You can learn about the voting process and help defend democracy, while getting paid!

The Student Judge program gives high school students the opportunity to serve as Election Judges at polling places across the City of Chicago. Students, like adults, are paid for their training and Election Day services. For elections that fall during a school day, students receive a full-day excused absence per Illinois law, if the day is not already a school holiday.

The application deadline is Tuesday, February 3. To learn more about eligibility or to apply, click . If you are bilingual, make sure to notify the Board of Elections, especially if you speak Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Polish, Korean, or Tagalog.

For any questions, contact [email protected] or (312) 269-7985.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

This Monday, January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was an inspiration to Americans of all races. I feel privileged to serve in such a diverse community, which truly takes to heart his message of peace and harmony between all peoples.

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, and everyone is encouraged to make it “a day on, not a day off.” I encourage you all to embrace Dr. King’s message and find ways to serve your community.

For more information about Dr. King and his legacy, click .

In observance of the holiday, there will be a change to garbage and recycling collection this upcoming week. All city-collected refuse and recycling will be serviced Tuesday through Friday. Residents should ensure all black and blue carts are accessible throughout the entire week, not just on their regular day of collection.

The 50th Ward Office will also be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 20 at 9 AM. If you need assistance with any City Services while the office is closed, please call 311 or visit .

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Skate In the Parks

Enjoy a fun winter of skating in the parks! The Warren Park ice rink, and outdoor ice rinks across the city, are now open for the season. Pre-registration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions. Register online .

Admission is free, and skates are available for rental. For questions, please contact Warren Park at (773) 761-8663. For more information and a list of all ice rink locations, visit the Park District website .

Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program

Applications for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for tax year 2025 are now available on the Cook County Treasurer’s Office website. The deferral program allows income-eligible property owners aged 65 or older to "borrow" money from the state to cover their property taxes. This program operates as a loan with a simple annual interest rate of 3%, providing financial relief to eligible seniors. Applications must be submitted before March 1.

The program allows deferring up to $7,500 annually in property taxes. If the bill is greater, the homeowner is responsible for paying the difference. Deferred taxes are paid when the property is sold, or upon the death of the participant.

Find more information about the program at the Cook County Treasurer’s website . The Treasurer's Office has also created a to explain the program.

Primary Election Update

A Midterm Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 17. Voter registration for the election is currently open, and Vote By Mail applications are now being accepted.

You can register to vote , in person on Election Day, at an early voting site, or . for more information about registering to vote.

Vote By Mail applications are now available online . The Board of Elections will begin mailing Vote By Mail ballots in February and you will be able to return your ballot by mail or using one of the secure drop boxes that will be in place at every early voting site.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not automatically receive a new vote by mail ballot unless you are already on the permanent vote by mail roster. If you want to vote by mail and are not on the permanent roster, you must apply again now. To join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster, click .

For more information about the upcoming election visit .

Stay Warm This Winter

Now that the weather is getting colder and winter is here, several programs are open to help residents pay their heating and electric bills. Visit to find a program that helps you. For assistance applying, visit a local .

Programs now available include:

1. Heating and Electricity Assistance – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides a one-time benefit toward a household’s heating and/or electric bills.

2. Cash Assistance for Renters – Provides a cash benefit to renters whose heating costs are included in their rent.

3. Furnace Assistance – Supports Cook County homeowners with free furnace repair or replacement if their heating systems are not working properly.

4. Water Assistance – Helps eligible Chicago homeowners receive a monthly discount on their water bills.

The programs are managed by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). For more information, visit . For flyers in multiple languages, click .

Winter Parking Restrictions

The City’s winter parking restrictions are now officially in effect until April 1. Nothing has changed this year. The 50th Ward does not have any overnight parking ban routes, but we do have several streets where parking is prohibited when there are at least two inches of snow on the ground. 

If you live on a main street, please check for posted signs and avoid parking when it snows, so critical routes can be fully plowed and salted. For more information, visit the City’s snow command website . For a complete list of parking ban streets throughout the city (all in other Wards), click .

Emergency Heating Repair Program

The Emergency Heating Repair Program is now open to new applicants. This program provides direct assistance to income-eligible Chicago homeowners to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Limited funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Enrollment will be accepted from November 1, 2025, through April 1, 2026, or until all funds have been exhausted. To apply, visit , call 311, or use the CHI311 app.

The Emergency Heating Repair Program is open to Chicagoans who own and occupy a one-to-four unit residential building. Households earning 80% or less of the (AMI) are eligible to participate in the program.

If approved for the program, qualified contractors will perform the work at no cost to the homeowner, with funding provided through the Department of Housing. For more information, visit . For any questions, call (312) 744-3653 or email [email protected].

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Young Artists Pop-Up

Owl Walk at Park 538

Volunteer English Speakers Needed

Serve as an Election Judge