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WARD SERVICE OFFICE
1447 W. MORSE AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60626
773-338-5796
www.49thward.org
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Good morning neighbors,
I hope everyone had as good a week as I did. I met with community organizations to share resources, planned community initiatives with neighbors, chaired a committee hearing on Peoples Gas and their rate increase requests, celebrated Chicago's birthday with neighbors at our first town hall of 2026, attended the memorial service for Rev. Jackson, and had the great honor of speaking with Kilmer Elementary School students on Career Day. It was a busy and productive week.
Check out the rest of the newsletter for important updates and a video recap of our town hall if you weren't able to join us.
Have a safe and restful weekend,
Alderwoman Maria Hadden
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click the links below to select the section that you want to read!
- CELEBRATIONS & APPRECIATIONS - good news for the week!
- WARD UPDATES - Community announcements, city services, and zoning/development updates
- INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES - City services and infrastructure notices
- PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 17 - resources ahead of the March 17 primary election
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - local events and ways to get involved
- ROGERS PARK ARTS - events, theatre, and other public arts news
- YOUTH SHINE IN 49 - school news, scholarship opportunities, and youth employment offerings
- NEED TO KNOW INFO - alerts, services, and government resources
- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - links to resources housed on the 49th Ward website
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Celebrations & Appreciations
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Celebrating the Life of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
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Yesterday was the celebration of life for Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. He was born on October 8, 1941 and died on February 17, 2026. Rev. Jackson was a champion for democracy, freedom, and equality. His Chicago memorial was attended by thousands of Chicagoans as well as three former U.S. Presidents. You can watch a recording of the celebration here.
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Big Turn Out for Our First Town Hall
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On March 4th, my office held our first town hall at Sullivan High School, where we got to hear directly from constituents and address their concerns. Thank you to all our elected officials and community organizations who took the time out of their evening to share resources with the 49th Ward! And to cap it all off, we got to celebrate Chicago's 189th birthday! In case you missed the event, check out the video recap here.
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Happy International Women's Day!
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This year we are celebrating our 115th International Women's Day! International Women's Day is about celebrating women and highlighting our global struggle for equality and freedom. We still face many struggles, but through our shared efforts, more women are thriving than ever. Learn how you can take action to support women's rights with the International Women's Day organization.
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RESOURCES
As Operation Midway Blitz continues and ICE agents have been active around the City, we want to remind neighbors of our Fighting Against Fascist Occupation resources. Know your rights, stay safe, and stay informed. Find our guide here.
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1224 W Loyola Ave Demolition Underway
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Please be aware that demolition has begun on 1224 W Loyola Ave, and will continue for roughly 4-6 weeks, depending on the weather. Please continue to send any questions or concerns to Jennifer Clark, Loyola's Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, at [email protected].
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North Side Restaurant Week Ends March 8
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From February 26 to March 8, explore bold flavors, discover local favorites, and support small businesses across our neighborhood and beyond during Northside Restaurant Week! Participating restaurants will offer fixed-price menus for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, making it easy (and delicious) to plan a meal out with friends, family, or coworkers. Show some love to our local dining scene.
Rogers Park participating restaurants include:
AKAY Tacos - Badou Senegalese Cuisine - Cafe Nova - Mica’s Mexican Restaurant - Smack Dab - South of the Border - Urban Tables & Mickii’s Desserts
Check out their menus here!
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CTA Construction Notice March 12 to March 16
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From March 12 to March 16, the CTA will be conducting work on the Red Line tracks at the Morse L stop, along W Lunt Ave. Work hours will last from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The sidewalk on the north side of W. Lunt Avenue, at the CTA Tracks, will be closed during stated work hours, and the sidewalk on the south side of W. Lunt Avenue will remain open at all times.
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Lighting Project on 1615 - 1758 W Chase & 7200 - 7331 N Paulina
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The Chicago Department of Transportation is currently undergoing a residential street lighting project on the 1600 to 1700 block of Chase and the 7200 to 7300 block of Paulina, which will last roughly 2 to 3 weeks, weather permitting. There will be a No Parking tow zone in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the duration of the project. Workers will need to tear up the sidewalk in this process, though they plan to do this early in the timeline so as not inconvenience residents for a long period of time.
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Loyola University Construction at 6347 N Broadway
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Loyola University is currently undergoing several construction projects, including one at 6347 N Broadway. Construction at this address will result in a single lane closure affecting N. Broadway and the alley to the east beginning February 28. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Loyola at [email protected].
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Primary Election March 17
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March 17 Primary Election Info
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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 online, in person on Election Day, at an early voting site, or by mail. Click here for more information about registering to vote.
Vote-by-mail applications are now available online here. 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 here.
For more information about the upcoming election, visit chicagoelections.gov.
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Early Voting Begins March 2 in all 50 Wards
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Early voting for the 2026 Primary Election begins on Monday, March 2, in all 50 wards. Chicago voters may vote at any Early Voting location through March 17.
Any voter who needs to register to vote for the first time or file an address update or name change must show two forms of ID, one of which reflects the voter's current address. A list of acceptable forms of ID is available on the Board of Elections' website.
In the 49th Ward, voters can vote early at Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard. A full list of early voting locations is available on the Chicago Board of Elections' website.
Voters are allowed to bring in notes with them to a polling place when casting their ballot.
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Sample Ballots Now Available
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Voters wanting to view a sample ballot ahead of casting their vote may obtain one on the Chicago Board of Elections' website.
Simply input your information on the Board of Elections' "Your Voter Information" page and click "Submit." From there, a window will pop up to select the eligible voter. Once you click your name, you will scroll approximately halfway down the page, where you can open a sample ballot by selecting a party designation and preferred language. Sample ballots are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog.
Early voting officially started downtown at the Board of Elections offices (69 W Washington St, 6th Floor) and at 137 S State St. On Monday, March 2, early voting will expand to all 50 Wards, including our 49th Ward location: Willye B. White Park (1610 W Howard St). Click here for complete early voting hours and details.
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Changes to Vote By Mail Rules
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The United States Postal Service will not guarantee your Vote By Mail return ballot envelopes will be postmarked the same day that you mailed them. Any ballot postmarked after Election Day, March 17, cannot be accepted. USPS recommends voters take additional precautions and mail their completed Vote By Mail Ballot at least one week (March 10) before Election Day.
Returning your ballot close to Election Day (March 17)? You have options!
- Drop your ballot off into any of 52 Secure Drop Boxes located at all Early Voting sites in Chicago – even on Election Day!
- Starting February 12 at the New Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.
- Starting March 2 at all 50 Ward Early Voting Sites across the city
- Go to the post office counter and request a manual postmark
- Deliver your ballot directly to 69 W. Washington St. – either at the First-Floor lobby drop box or in the 6th Floor office
All qualified ballots properly postmarked by Election Day (March 17) and received up to 14 days after (March 31) will be processed and counted for the 2026 Primary Election. The Chicago Board of Elections will send you an email when it receives your ballot return envelope, and again when your ballot has been processed and counted.
Please Note: Precinct polling places on Election Day do not have drop boxes. Precinct election judges cannot accept Vote By Mail ballots, and VBM ballots returned at precinct polling places will not be processed. Voters instead can use any of 51 Vote Centers open on Election Day to return their Vote By Mail ballot, including the new downtown voting Supersite at 137 S. State St. For more information, go to: https://chicagoelections.gov/voting/vote-mail
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Become an Election Judge for the March 17 Primary Election
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Are you interested in being a poll worker for the March 17, 2026, Midterm Primary Election? Visit pollworker.chicagoelections.gov to learn more and apply. You must be a US citizen and a registered voter in Cook County - and you can earn up to $230 for your service. If you are bilingual in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean or Tagalog, the Board of Elections is requesting your support. Do you know a high school junior or senior with a GPA above 3.0 and an interest in government? Let them know they can serve as an election judge and see how democracy works from behind the polling place curtain.
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Fair Housing Clinic March 11
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The Moran Center for Youth Advocacy will be hosting a free record relief, legal, and fair housing clinic on Wednesday, March 11, at the Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark), at 5:00 p.m. Stop by to learn more about cannabis-related record relief, expungement, employment barriers, and more.
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Music for Self Care March 11
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The Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark St) will be hosting a "Music for Self-Care" event on March 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come share your favorite song and discover new ones from your community!
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Community Baby Shower March 13
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Calling all parents of toddlers and expectant parents! Parent University, in collaboration with the Chicago Fire Department and Caris Foundation, will be holding a community baby shower on March 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 7019 N Ashland Blvd, Room 219. Here, you can get free diapers for newborns, clothing for babies and toddlers, hygiene kits, and more! Contact [email protected] for any questions you may have.
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Free Nutrition Talk March 14
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Sunny Akhigbe, founder of the nonprofit A Boy and His Dream, will present a free community event, Nourish for Life: A Community Nutrition Talk, on Saturday, March 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Wild Onion Market grocery co-op, 7007 N Clark St. His talk will explore how to eat well within real-world constraints such as cost, access, and time. Topics include selecting wholesome foods on a budget and making everyday food choices that support long-term health for individuals and families. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with Mr. Akhigbe, ask questions, and leave with actionable insights for better nourishment and well-being.
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Culture of Safety No School Day Camps March 17 & 18
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Culture of Safety's No School Day Camps are BACK! Looking for interactive, affordable, empowering child care for the days when CPS is closed? Check out their next No-School Day Camps on March 17 and 18! Plus, their ever-popular Summer Camps are now enrolling! All camps are offered at sliding scale/tiered pricing and are located at 6961 N Clark St. All camps are neurodivergent-friendly and LGBT-affirming. Immigrants welcome! Registration and more info: https://bit.ly/KidsCamps26
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Intro To AI Info Session March 18
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Join the AI Safety Awareness Project on Wednesday, March 18th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark St) for an Intro to AI presentation. The purpose of this workshop is to give a broad introduction to risks and benefits of current and near-future AI systems as well as how AI researchers at top AI companies view the future of AI development. You can register for this event at this link.
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Office Of Community Policing Movie March 18
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The 24th District is excited to announce its March 2026 movie feature: Medium Cool! The screening will take place at the 24th District Police Station (6464 N Clark) at 1:00 p.m. on March 18. The guest speaker will be Peter Kuttner, a Chicago filmmaker, activist, and cameraman who founded Kartemquin Films. Spots are limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible by emailing [email protected].
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Classic Film Screening March 23
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Join the Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark) for Powell & Pressburger's fantastical romantic comedy classic, A Matter of Life and Death, celebrating its 80th anniversary! The film will be in the 2nd Floor Community Room on Monday, March 23rd, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Rogers Park Litter Pickup April 1
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Join the Rogers Park Litter Pickup for an hour of making a positive impact on our community by participating in a litter cleanup in the beautiful neighborhood of Rogers Park, followed by a happy hour! The team will meet at The Fish Keg (2233 W Howard St) at 6:00 p.m. on April 1. RSVP here!
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Project Wingspan Virtual Seminars March & April
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Throughout Spring 2026, Project Wingspan will be hosting virtual webinars about its agriculture-focused Pollinator Steward Certification in Illinois and Ohio. This is a free workshop for Illinoisans geared toward agricultural landowners, managers, producers, and affiliated professionals, regardless of the size of the land they have access to, and will show how to support pollinator conservation by incorporating pollinator-friendly plants and practices on their land. You can register here.
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Support a local Rogers Park resident with their top surgery!
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Kyren Epperson, owner of our beloved Culture of Safety (6961 N Clark St), is scheduled for a medically necessary gender-affirming top surgery on April 2, and is requesting the community's help! Not only is the surgery expensive, but the recovery will be a financial burden too. Unlike most people with desk jobs, who can often return to work fully after just 1-2 weeks of recovery, Kyren is told they will not be able to see clients for a minimum of six weeks, thus impacting Culture of Safety's operations. If you are able to, please consider helping Kyren through this process via one of the options below:
- Donate to Kyren's GoFundMe
- Sign up to bring food to Kyren after surgery (via MealTrain)
- Write a Google Review for Culture of Safety. Every bit of support for the business means greater security for Kyren and their partner before and after surgery.
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Gale Community Academy Exercise Events
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Gale Community Academy (1631 W Jonquil Terr) has a variety of weekly events for the community to participate in! Join a fitness workshop, try out a Zumba dance class, or connect with other Rogers Parkers at Gale's weekly game night! All events are free and open for all. Check out the above flyers to see what most interests you!
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Culture of Safety Weekly Wellness Programs
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Culture of Safety (6961 N Clark St) has two weekly wellness programs that they offer for interested participants! Weekly Meditation in the Samatha Tradition occurs on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is open to beginners on a drop-in basis through March 22. Led by Kyren Epperson, classes are free of charge, but registration is required: https://cultureofsafetychi.com/wellness/samatha-meditation/#Register
CoS also offers Community Tai Chi classes on Mondays at 7:00 p.m., taught by Sifu Rodrigo. There is a suggested donation of $15/session. Learn more or register online: https://cultureofsafetychi.com/wellness/taichi/
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Support A Local Music Group!
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Local Chicago group Funkadesi, which combines Indian bhangra, Bollywood, folk, reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, is celebrating its year-long 30th anniversary. They will return to the studio at the end of March and are inviting their family, friends, and supporters to make this dream a reality. If you are able, they are accepting donations at this link.
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Chicago Loves Local Campaign Available
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Chicago Loves Local is a free, collaborative campaign open to all 77 community areas, designed to uplift neighborhood businesses, amplify local pride, and encourage residents to shop close to home. Through its Instagram platform, the campaign highlights small businesses and commercial corridors across the city, helping drive visibility, storytelling, and local spending. Check out the campaign here, and remember to shop local wherever you can!
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Events at the Rogers Park Branch Library
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The Rogers Park Branch Library (6907 N. Clark) offers a variety of events and programming for people of all ages. Make sure to check out a list of their upcoming events and register to attend one. More information is available on its website here.
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Theater Above the Law Presents: Cyrano
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Theater Above the Law will be performing Cyrano, by Michael Dalberg, directed by Tony Lawry, from March 13 to April 12. In this Original TATL adaptation by Michael Dalberg (Grimm, The Blood Countess, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) Cyrano cannot share her love to the multi-courted Roxanne. Thus, she speaks her truth through dim witted Christian, Roxanne’s true desire.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at the Jarvis Square Theater (1439 W. Jarvis). Please visit theatreatl.org for tickets. Use the Rogers Park coupon code unclecardinal at checkout for $10 OFF THE REGULAR $25 ticket price. Subject to availability, not valid opening or closing weekends.
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Factory Theater Presents: KUBRICKIAN
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Closes: Sun, Mar 15
Where: Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St.
Trapped in a white space, three men who should be focused on escape or explanation can’t seem to stop talking about acclaimed film director Stanley Kubrick. This trippy existential show is a haunting and hilarious look at masculinity, creativity, and capitalism.
Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Lifeline Theatre Presents: Kitty And The Beanstalk
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Closes: Sun, Mar 22
Where: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.
In the alleys of a sunless Big City, sibling stray cats Kitty and Tom use the garbage around them to make their world a more magical place. But when Kitty trades one of Tom’s precious creations for some magic beans, Tom angrily throws them away–only to have them sprout into a magnificent beanstalk. When they climb it, they discover why the sun has vanished from the city below (hint: a giant is involved). A world premiere with music for kids ages 4-10 and their families, based on Jack and the Beanstalk.
Purchase tickets here!
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Choose The Theme For Artists of The Wall 2026
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The Loyola Park Advisory Council is beginning planning for Artists of the Wall 2026, and they need your help choosing this year’s theme!
Please take a moment to cast your vote for your favorite theme. Your input helps shape one of our community’s most creative and beloved traditions.
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Chicago Park District Summer Jobs Available
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The Chicago Park District has plenty of opportunities for teens this summer, from ages 13 and up! To see a list of open positions and submit an application, click here.
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Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships Available
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Annually, the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus Foundation awards scholarships totaling up to $10,000 per student that are disbursed over four years, providing meaningful financial support to graduating Chicago high school seniors pursuing their undergraduate degree.
If you meet the following eligibility requirements, you should consider applying:
• Graduating senior from a City of Chicago high school
• Accepted and attending a four-year accredited university as a full-time student
• Resident of a CABCF ward
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or community leader
• 500-word essay submission
• Completed application submitted by March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
The application period will extend from February 15, 2026 – March 15, 2026, and the application link can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/cabcscholarship26
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Lincoln Park Zoo Summer Internship Opportunities
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Attention students! Looking for something to do this summer? Check out the 2026 summer programs through the Chicago Park District! These internships are for Chicago teens, ages 16-18, and are a great way to get hands-on experience with zoo operations. Applications are due by Monday, March 9, and you can apply here.
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Student Employment Opportunities Available for Summer 2026
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WEC Energy Group is hiring interns for summer 2026! If you know a college student looking for work in the energy industry, please direct them to wecenergygroup.com/careers to review available opportunities.
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North Side Queer Pride Community Survey Open
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A growing coalition of queer & queer supportive business owners, community organizations, artists, organizers, and state & local officials is proposing North Side Queer Pride, a uniting of previous Rogers Park pride events. Your input & support are important, so please take 3-5 mins to share your thoughts & ideas here. Thank you!
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VACCC New Facility Downtown
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The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) opened its downtown office this past November, and it is actively encouraging Veterans and partners to utilize this convenient location. Located at 69 W Washington St, Suite 1420, VACCC staffers are there from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to provide the same comprehensive services as their main office at 1100 S. Hamilton Ave, including:
• Claims and Benefits Assistance
• VA Education Benefits
• VA Appeals
• General Benefits Navigation and Support
You can call them at 312-603-3865 or email them at [email protected].
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Rep. Cassidy Vaccination Clinic March 12
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The office of State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-14) is hosting a springtime Vaccination Clinic! Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines/boosters at no cost. Partnering with the Illinois Department of Public Health, this event will be on Thursday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1507 W. Morse Ave. No ID or insurance required. To register ahead of time, please go to bit.ly/KellyCassidyVaccine. For questions, please email [email protected].
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Find Which VAC Can Help You!
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The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is sharing a new statewide flyer designed to help Veterans quickly identify and connect with the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) that serves their county of residence. Veterans Assistance Commissions are county-based resources that provide Emergency Financial Services, VA Claims and Benefits Assistance through accredited Veterans Service Officers, and referrals to trusted community partners. To learn more, scan the code in the flyer, or click here!
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Greencorps Chicago is Recruiting!
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Greencorps Chicago, the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment, is hiring! Greencorps Chicago is currently recruiting potential candidates for this year’s Employment & Training Program. During the nine-month program, Greencorps Chicago trainees earn a starting wage of $18.50, and receive practical experience, professional development, and classroom & field training in a variety of environmentally-related jobs with skills that are easily transferable to other industries. Trainees are offered several professional certifications including Defensive Driving, First Aid/CPR, HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-Hour Safety, Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Class, and the Illinois Pesticide license. Throughout the program, trainees are supported with wrap-around social services, a stable income, and assistance finding full time employment upon completion of the program.
More information and how to apply can be found on the attached flyer and at https://greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/.
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We heard your feedback about the length of our newsletters and moved some of our sections to the website! Click the images below to access a variety of additional resources.
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Connect with Your Elected Officials
Want to get connected with your other elected officials? Find links to sign up to their newsletters and website information below!
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Cook County:
Commissioner Josina Morita Website
State of Illinois:
Rep. Cassidy Newsletter | Website
Sen. Simmons Newsletter | Website
Federal Government:
Congresswoman Schakowsky's website
Senator Durbin's website
Senator Duckworth's website
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