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48th WARD NEWS: APRIL 23, 2026
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Leni and Vincent, the 48th Ward street sweeper operator, posing for a selfie
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YOU KNOW A GUY AT CITY HALL
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Dear Neighbors,
As I approach my fourth year as your alderwoman, I want to take a moment to reflect on the work we do here in the 48th Ward office to distribute city services equitably year-round. It used to be that if you wanted your sidewalk repaired or tree trimmed in Chicago, you had to “know a guy” at City Hall. Now, services are just a click, phone call, or email away.
Over the last three years, we have increased city services in the 48th ward by 20% overall including an:
- 11% increase in sidewalk repairs
- 13% increase in rodent abatement
- 42% increase in speed hump repairs
- 84% increase in tree trims (thanks to the new grid system!)
- 115% increase in clean-ups
We know how important these services are to the quality of life here in the 48th ward and that’s why we’re committed to delivering them as efficiently as possible. Our team has modernized the ward office with technology that allows us to better input, track, and close your service requests. In addition, we are out in the community at over 65 events a year bringing city services to you. We will see you soon at the upcoming Mobile DMV, annual Older Adults Resource Fair, Farmer’s Markets, Ward Night, and more!
So remember, next time you or your neighbors notice a problem, you know a guy! The entire 48th ward team is here to serve you.
A big thank you to each and every neighbor who has entered a 311 request, called our office, or attended a ward event. We couldn’t do this work without you.
Yours in community,
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Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
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Leni and Nicole with Principal Avila.
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APRIL IS ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
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Happy Arab American Heritage Month! Last week, Leni celebrated Arab American Heritage Month with an event at Peirce Elementary focused on Palestinian Chicago. Families enjoyed food from Nabala Cafe and Sanabel Bakery, an art activity from the Senn Asian American Association, and a Dabke dance lesson from world-renowned Mohammad Darawsha.
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Rush Darwish, President of the Arab-American Business and Professional Association, holding the Arab-American Heritage Month resolution.
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City Council Passes Resolution for Arab American Heritage Month
Leni and her colleagues in City Hall honored Arab American leaders and their contributions to Chicago in an American Heritage Month resolution at City Hall. The resolution highlights the "enduring legacy, vibrant culture, and profound contributions of Arab Americans, whose achievements have immeasurably enriched the social, economic, and civic life of this great city." Read it in full here.
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Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with the Libraries
Join the Chicago Public Library to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month! CPL staff has compiled recommended reading lists for kids, teens, and adults. Visit their website to find additional events and resources.
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Submit Requests and Stay Informed with 311 and ChiStreetWork
For non-emergency city service requests, file a 311 report online, through the app, or by dialing 3-1-1. You can also search for and follow along with local city projects at chistreetwork.chicago.gov.
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McCutcheon Elementary Named 2026 All-Star School
Congratulations to McCutcheon Elementary on being designated a Cubs Charities 2026 All-Star School! Leni joined Alderwoman Clay, Principal Longmire, Clark the Cub, and McCutcheon students for the official ceremony and the presentation of a $25,000 check! Our office reached out to Chicago Cubs charities last year to tell them about our fantastic schools, and we are thrilled to see this formal partnership come to life.
Cubs Charities is the official nonprofit of the Chicago Cubs, dedicated to leveling the playing field for Chicago’s youth and families. Since 2009, Cubs Charities has invested more than $62 million to expand access to youth sports and education, impacting approximately 400,000 Chicagoans each year in partnership with more than 100 local organizations. This designation celebrates McCutcheon's commitment to innovation in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education.
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48th Ward Mobile DMV - Fully Booked
All timeslots for our upcoming Mobile DMV have been claimed in record time! Mobile DMV is a service offered in partnership with the IL Secretary of State's Office to bring ID and vehicle services to you. Based on the popularity of this and previous events, we've secured an additional Mobile DMV for this fall! Stay tuned to future newsletters for more information.
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Love Our Lakefront
- When: Sunday, April 26 from 9am-1:30pm
- Where: 5800 N Marine
- Learn more and register online.
Join us for Love Our Lakefront, a celebration of nature in the city! Activities include a nature walk, a tree tour, beach stewardship, resource & craft fair, and more!
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ICA 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration
- When: Saturday, April 25 from 11am-2pm
- Where: Buttercup Park (4901 N Sheridan)
- Register online.
Join us at Buttercup Park for an Earth Day celebration featuring music, food, activities for kids, and resource tables from community organizations!
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Older Adults Resource Fair
- When: Friday, May 15 from 11am-2pm
- Where: Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway)
- No RSVP is required for this event.
Join us for our annual older adults resource fair! This year, we're partnering with the Chicago City Clerk's office to provide City Key services at the event! Learn more about the City Key here, then come by the armory to pick up yours and access healthcare, legal aide, technology assistance, social services, educational workshops, and more!
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Clerk of the Circuit Court Amnesty Week
From Monday, April 27 to Friday May 1, the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court will hold an amnesty week, waiving collection fees for moving traffic violations. Full or partial payments will be accepted by cash, check, money order, or card in-person or by phone (312.603.5030). Please note that this does not apply to parking tickets or red light camera violations. Learn more online.
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City Clerk Amnesty Month
The Office of the City Clerk is bringing back City Sticker Amnesty Month! From Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 30, vehicle owners can purchase their City Sticker with no late fees and back charges. The City Clerk's Office is offering amnesty at three Mobile City Hall events and on the City Clerk’s 24/7 online store ezbuy.chicityclerk.com. Learn more and review frequently asked questions here.
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Chicago Public Schools Capital Plan Community Meetings
- When: Tuesday, April 28 from 5:30-7pm
- Where: Virtual
- Register online.
Building on the District’s commitment to community engagement and equity during the budgeting process, Chicago Public Schools is holding public meetings to engage communities across Chicago on capital priorities as the district works to develop its FY27 Capital Plan. The meetings are intended to provide communities with an understanding of the district’s capital planning process and collect public input to help the district prioritize critical capital needs. The April 28 webinar will be conducted in Spanish.
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2026 Construction
It's construction season! See the image above or visit our blog here to review construction projects planned for the 48th Ward in 2026. Note that dates are subject to change. Have a question about one of the projects listed? Call us at 773-784-5277 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also search for and track the progress of local projects via ChiStreetWork.
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Senn Nature Play Space Construction is Underway
Construction has begun on the Senn Playground Nature Play Space. This project was one of our 2024 Participatory Budgeting winners and we’re so excited to see it coming to life!
Nature Play Spaces are a collaboration between the Chicago Park District and the local community. They include natural elements that can be moved and manipulated and are designed for the unique ecosystem of each site. This one will include:
- a mud kitchen
- a house structure
- a stage
- native plants
- and more!
Thanks to Nature Play Specialist Sean and to Families Together Cooperative Nursery School (FTCN) for leading the charge and bringing this site to life! Visit our Instagram to see more videos and images of the space.
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48th Ward alleys before and after resurfacing
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Alley Resurfacing
The following alley resurfacing projects are expected to take place this month. Dates are estimates and subject to change. During the Participatory Budgeting, 48th ward neighbors voted to allocate $200,000 annually to general repairs. Our team has identified the worst alleys in the 48th ward and is allocating this funding towards alley resurfacing.
Alley resurfacing is minimally invasive. It’s a rolling process for both milling and paving. Grinding takes half a day and paving takes a full day. During alley resurfacing, the crews are not in front of any one garage for more than 20 minutes. The crews will move garbage cans as needed.
April 27
- Margate / Ainslie/ McCutcheon Terrace/ Marine
April 28
- Winona / Foster / Sheridan / Marine
- Winona / Argyle / Kenmore / Sheridan
- Winona / Argyle / Winthrop / Kenmore
- Elmdale / Thorndale / Magnolia / Broadway
April 29
- Highland / Rosemont / Clark / Greenview
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Glenwood between Hood and Glenlake during and after resurfacing
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Street Resurfacing
The following street resurfacing projects are projected to take place this month. Dates are estimates and subject to change. Look for posted “No Parking” signs.
- April 28 - Balmoral from Wayne to Lakewood
- April 29 - Ardmore from Sheridan to Winthrop
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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POSTPONED: 5602 N Winthrop Development Community Meeting
The community meeting scheduled for April 29th is postponed. Stay tuned to the newsletter for further updates. We will reschedule the meeting as soon as possible.
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Info Sessions: Doing Business with the Parks
- When: Wednesday, April 29 from 10am-2pm
- Where: Fosco Park (1312 S Racine)
- RSVP online.
Join Chicago Park District administrative teams for vendor information sessions on how to do business with the parks! Meet and connect with internal departments to explore possible future business opportunities. Representatives from the Park District will be in attendance to meet and answer questions. Refreshments will be served.
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Emanuel / Fern Hill Proposed Development: Congregation Progress Update Meeting
- When: Thursday, April 30 at 6:30pm
- Where: Emanuel Congregation (5959 N Sheridan) & Zoom
- Register online.
Emanuel Congregation will be hosting a meeting for their congregation members regarding progress on revisions to proposed development plans for 5959 N Sheridan. The meeting is in person for congregation members only. For transparency, members of the public are welcome to observe the meeting virtually via Zoom. A recording of the meeting will be made available upon request.
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April is National 911 Education Month
During 911 Education Month, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) wants to remind Chicagoans to dial 9-1-1 during emergencies or to report suspicious activity. When calling 911, remember the 5 W’s:
- What’s happening? What type of service do you need?
- Where are you? Be as specific as possible and provide an exact address, intersection or provide a landmark.
- Who is involved? Describe the offenders. Are you the victim or someone else?
- When did the event occur? Is it still happening?
- Weapons – Describe the weapons present if there are any (gun, knife, bat, brick, etc.)
We also encourage everyone to sign up for Smart911. Smart911 saves whatever personal information you choose to provide (name, family members, pets, emergency contact, home layout, etc) to help first responders locate and assist you in an emergency. Learn more and sign up here.
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IAC Public Hearings: Operation Midway Blitz
- When: April 27 & 28 from 12-3pm
- Where: 160 N LaSalle Street (6th floor - room C600)
- Learn more and access livestream links here.
The Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) will host two public hearings this month to reveal results from the Commission's ongoing investigations surrounding the actions of federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz. The hearings will feature new, never-before-seen video footage and witness testimony from specific incidents targeting Illinoisans.
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CCPSA Special Meeting: Victim Services
- When: Thursday, April 30 a 6:30pm
- Where: DePaul College Prep (3300 N Campbell)
- Register to attend virtually.
Join the CCPSA to discuss the current landscape of victim services across the city, including existing programs and resources, where gaps or barriers persist, and how government agencies and community organizations can better work together to support those impacted by violence. Attendees will hear directly from practitioners, advocates, and leaders in the field, and gain a clearer understanding of how Chicago can strengthen a more coordinated, victim-centered approach to public safety.
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Attend Your Next Beat Meeting
Want to get involved with public safety in your neighborhood? Attend a 20th or 24th district beat meeting! All meetings for beats in the 48th ward are listed in the image above, on our blog, and on our community calendar. Find out what beat you live using the map on this page or by searching your address here.
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CLICK HERE to opt in to receive occasional crime alerts from our office. If you're having trouble with this link, you can also opt in by re-subscribing HERE and checking the box at the bottom of the form. Doing so will not alter or double your existing newsletter subscription.
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CHECK OUT THE 48th WARD CALENDAR
Never miss an event! See the calendar on our website for more exciting things happening in the ward. Fill out this form to have your own event listed.
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WHERE IN THE WARD IS LENI?
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Did you know that chives are an invasive species? On Saturday, Leni and Genesis joined neighbors at Clean & Greens across the 48th Ward to help dig up chives, plant native species, and beautify our wonderful parks in celebration of Earth Month!
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The 48th ward team tabled at 5220 N Kenmore during their monthly food distribution event. Between 60-80 neighbors rely on these services in partnership with the Greater Food Depository. Jean, our Social Work Fellow from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, met with neighbors, bringing city services to their doorstep.
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Thank you to the Pines of Edgewater neighbors for the invitation to present at your building and for the kind hospitality! We discussed construction, public safety, social service resources, and more! Click here to invite Leni to present at your building, block club meeting, or HOA meeting. We’ll see you soon at Park Tower, Selfhelp Home, and Admiral at the Lake!
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Last week, Leni joined Principal Alhasoon and International Women Associates (IWA) representatives to cut the ribbon on a brand new mural welcoming students from all across the world to Swift Elementary. Thank you to IWA for donating this incredible gift in the spirit of community, joy, and empowerment. And to all 48th ward students, remember: No matter where you come from, we’re glad you’re here!
Visit our Instagram to see Leni's remarks and the ribbon cutting!
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