Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

February 6, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Update on the High Ridge YMCA

Residents may soon notice a “For Sale” sign at the High Ridge YMCA as the organization evaluates next steps for the property. While a sale is being considered, the YMCA continues to actively seek partnership opportunities that could allow the Y to operate in the space.

I am staying in close communication with the YMCA, and I will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

Indian Boundary Park Playground Community Meeting

I am pleased to invite you to a virtual meeting to view the new plans for the updated Indian Boundary Playground! This will be our third public meeting to discuss this project and the agenda will focus on the design of the playground and the community feedback we have received so far.

Join us online on Tuesday, February 24, from 6–7 PM for the community discussion. Click here to participate.

As I announced previously, our community will soon build a brand new playground at Indian Boundary Park. We are looking to build a new structure that will delight local families for decades to come, and we want your input. I hope to see you all at this important meeting!

Holiday Lights Recycling

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 50th Ward holiday lights recycling drive! Dozens of local residents brought in strings of holiday lights, and we were able to fill a huge bin with lights ready to be recycled instead of tossed. In partnership with Reduce Waste Chicago, those lights will be diverted from landfills and will be properly recycled!

Last year, Reduce Waste Chicago collected more than 4,500 pounds of lights. This year, they are on track to grow substantially. Learn more about them at reducewastechicago.org. For more information about recycling in Chicago, visit chicagorecycles.org.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. This important annual commemoration spotlights the often overlooked achievements and contributions of black Americans in every area of our society.

Click here to find local celebrations, and make sure to support your favorite black-owned businesses! Learn more about this important commemoration at www.blackhistorymonth.gov.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

This Thursday, the City of Chicago will observe Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. President Lincoln was one of our nation’s greatest leaders and is an inspiration to me and all proud Americans. This day has particular meaning to the residents of the Land of Lincoln, and I encourage everyone to learn as much about our nation’s 16th President as possible.

To learn more about Abraham Lincoln and his legacy, please click here. The 50th Ward Office will be closed on Thursday, February 12 in commemoration of the holiday. If you need any assistance with City Services while the office is closed, please call 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

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 online, in person on Election Day, at an early voting site, or by mail. Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Early Voting officially starts on Thursday, February 12 downtown at the Board of Elections offices (69 W. Washington Street, 6th Floor) and the new supersite at 137 South State Street. On March 2, Early Voting will expand to all 50 Wards, including at the Northtown Library, 6800 N. Western Ave. Click here for complete Early Voting hours and details.

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.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be counted, your vote by mail ballot must be postmarked by Election Day. The United States Postal Service will not guarantee that ballots will be postmarked the same day you mail them, so USPS now recommends voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before Election Day.

If you plan on returning your ballot by mail, make sure to put it in the mailbox no later than March 10. If you want to return your vote by mail ballot closer to Election Day, use one of the secure drop boxes in place at the Northtown Library and other Early Voting sites or go directly to the post office counter and request a manual postmark.

For more information about the upcoming election visit chicagoelections.gov.

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 here. The Treasurer's Office has also created a video to explain the program.

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 here.

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 here.

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 CEDAorg.net/bills to find a program that helps you. For assistance applying, visit a local Partner Intake Site.

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 CEDAorg.net/bills. For flyers in multiple languages, click here.

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 here. For a complete list of parking ban streets throughout the city (all in other Wards), click here.

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 chicago.gov/ehrp, 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 Area Median Income (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 chicago.gov/ehrp. For any questions, call (312) 744-3653 or email [email protected].

Dance Classes at Indian Boundary

Join Khecari for movement classes at Indian Boundary Cultural Center (2500 W Lunt Ave) during the new session (January 6 - June 4). Classes include Contemporary Modern Dance, Somatics, and Creative Movement for Kids.

To learn more and register, visit khecari.org/ibcc-classes.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

24th District Police Senior Movie

Community Development Grants

Chicago Public Library Community Workshops

CACC Fee-Waived Adoptions