Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

June 18, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Ice Cream Social & Outdoor Office

I had a wonderful time with my neighbors at our Ice Cream Social and Outdoor Office Hours at Lunt Playlot Park this week! Spending time as a community is the best way to enjoy the summer, and the ice cream just made it all the sweeter.

If you missed it, make sure to join us at the next great events:

Friday, July 10: 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Corner of Maplewood & Devon

Tuesday, July 14: 4:30 - 6:00 PM

Legion Park Fountain - Peterson & Lincoln

Both events will feature more free ice cream and outdoor office hours. Dietary restrictions will be observed and non-dairy options will be available. 

We have a full summer planned with lots of great community events. Find one that works for you at 50thward.org/summer. I hope to see you all out in the Ward!

Appointment of New CCHR Commissioner

On Wednesday, the City Council appointed Kenneth Gunn as the new head of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). Former-CCHR Commissioner Nancy Andrade was a strong advocate for all of Chicago’s diverse communities. I am going to hold the new commissioner to the same standard and make sure he focuses on the hate that continues to roil our city.

The background for this appointment was the resignation of Commissioner Andrade in March amid growing frustration over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s failure to address rising antisemitism in Chicago. The Commission on Human Relations issued recommendations on how to curb this problem, which the mayor has yet to follow.

I am committed to working with the new commissioner to push strongly for the full implementation of the CCHR recommendations and for him to work with the mayor to make sure Chicago takes this crisis seriously.

Lev Avigayil Respite Center Groundbreaking

I was honored to join Libenu, community leaders, and families this week for the groundbreaking of the Lev Avigayil Respite Center on Touhy Avenue. This new center will provide a permanent home for Libenu’s respite programs serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities while helping expand services for adults in our community.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this meaningful milestone and for your continued commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and their families.

Agents of Hope Graduation

It was wonderful to recognize the graduates of Agents of Hope’s Early Childhood Education Program this week and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and achievement.

These remarkable women have taken an important step toward building brighter futures for themselves, their families, and our community. Congratulations to all the graduates, and thank you to Agents of Hope for empowering refugees and immigrants through education, workforce development, and opportunity.

Welcome to Our Summer Intern!

I am excited to welcome our new summer intern, Sydney Tzur, to the 50th Ward Office as part of the Simon Wiesenthal Center NextGen Leaders Program!

This outstanding program gives students hands-on experience in government, public policy, and advocacy while helping develop the next generation of Jewish leaders. I look forward to working with Sydney over the coming weeks and seeing the contributions she will make to our office and community.

Welcome to the team, Sydney!

Juneteenth

This Friday is Juneteenth, an important commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865—more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—the last slaves were officially emancipated in Texas. This commemoration is an official City Holiday. The 50th Ward and all City of Chicago offices will be closed on Friday, June 19 in observance.

There will also be a change to garbage pickup on Friday due to the holiday. Please make sure your garbage is accessible throughout the week.

Slavery is one of history’s greatest evils. I join my neighbors in celebrating its eradication from the United States.

Happy Father’s Day!

This Sunday, June 21 is Father’s Day. I would like to wish all of the 50th Ward’s fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers a wonderful Father’s Day! Go out and do something special for your father, and make sure to tell him how much you love him!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Storm Damage Survey

Cook County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) and the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) are reviewing damage from the severe thunderstorms that occurred between June 10 and June 11, 2026; and asking that residents who have been impacted by these storms submit an initial damage assessment.

To fill out a survey, please visit the Illinois Residential Self-Assessment Survey online. If you contacted 311 to report storm damage, you should receive a text message from OEMC with a link to complete the assessment.

Residents can access the survey in English, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, or Mandarin by selecting the preferred language at the top of the survey.

Lake View Township Property Tax Appeals

Lake View Township is now open for property tax appeals through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The assessment of your home is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in property taxes. The good news is that you can appeal your valuation and potentially lower your taxes.

Lake View Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is south of Devon and east of Western. The appeals period is open until Monday, July 13. You can file an appeal online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/online-appeals.

If your appeal is accepted, changes to your property's assessed value will be reflected in the second installment property tax bill you receive next year in late 2027.

For any questions, please contact the 50th Ward Office at (773) 262-1050 or contact Cook County Commissioner Morita’s Office at (312) 603-6383.

Events at the Northtown Library

Play Group 

Sunday, June 21 at 3:00-4:00 PM

Drop-in and play with other little ones. Children and their caregivers can build, create art and interact with other children. For children 0 to 7 and their caregivers.

Tween Designers

Monday, June 22 at 4:00–5:00 PM

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

Tabletop Game Night 

Tuesday, June 23 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! Choose from our selection of games or bring your own to share! Library staff will be available to teach games and connect you with other players. Bring a friend or meet a new one!  For ages 13+.

Early Childhood Story Time 

Wednesday, June 24 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.

Stars on Strings with Dave Herzog's Marionettes

Wednesday, June 24 at 1:00-1:45 PM

Stars on Strings is a family-friendly musical marionette variety show which features marionettes handcrafted by Chicago-based marionette master Dave Herzog. Our wooden stars on strings perform an amazing array of acts including skating, tightrope walking, magical transformations, trapeze skills and much, much more! All these tricks are accompanied by toe-tapping music and performed at the hands of a master puppeteer with over fifty years’ experience entertaining children and families. 

STEAM Makers 

Thursday, June 25 at 4:00-5:00 PM

Join us for hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities every week. We're doing LEGO challenges on June 18 and July 16! For kids 6 to 13.

Birding at Indian Boundary Park with the Chicago Bird Alliance

Saturday, June 27 at 8:00-10 AM

Please join us for a bird identification walk through Indian Boundary Park, both kicking off at the Northtown Branch and concluding at the library for discussion. We'll travel together through this green oasis in the urban environs, looking for migratory birds and locals as well! These outings are welcoming and inclusive of all. Beginners are particularly welcome.

English Conversation Class for Beginners

Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 AM – 12:00 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].

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

HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program

Yoga Nature Hike at Park 538

Camp Courage