Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

July 31, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Trader Joe's Construction Update

I was excited to take a tour of the future home of Trader Joe’s in the 50th Ward this week and view the progress they are making. Construction has started and the project is moving ahead at full speed! The company is looking to open the store in 2027 in the Lincoln Village Shopping Center.

Our community has been asking for a Trader Joe’s for years, and I am extremely grateful that this is finally becoming a reality. I will continue to update you along the way and do everything I can to help the project proceed smoothly

50th Ward Movie in the Park - August 5

I am looking forward to celebrating with all my neighbors at this year’s 50th Ward Movie in the Park! Join us for free snacks, entertainment, and the movie Zootopia 2 at Chippewa Park (6748 N. Sacramento) on Wednesday, August 5.

The movie begins at dusk, but the fun begins at 7 PM. We will be sponsoring a special family fair before the show. Come early for free airbrushing, balloon twisters, pizza, and snacks!

The fair is underwritten by Alderman Debra Silverstein, with the help of our sponsors: Senator Ram Villiavalam, State Representative Robyn Gabel, Commissioner Josina Morita, Tel Aviv Slices Pizza (3517 W. Devon), Rita's of West Ridge (5940 N. Lincoln), Dunkin’ (3132 W. Devon), and Jewel-Osco (2485 W. Howard).

The Movie in the Park is one of my favorite community events every year. We are always joined by hundreds of local children and families for a fantastic time. I hope to see you all there!

National Night Out - August 4

Show your support for our local police and help make our streets safer at this year’s National Night Out celebration. This annual event is held on the first Tuesday of every August, when millions of citizens stand up and take back the streets. This year’s commemoration will be on Tuesday, August 4.

All of the local police districts will be having special events to celebrate National Night Out this year, featuring refreshments, music, and fun:

24th District National Night Out - Beats 2411, 2412, and 2413

Tuesday, August 4: 5 PM - 7 PM

24th District Police Station Plaza, 6464 N. Clark St

17th District National Night Out - Beat 1711

Tuesday, August 4: 5 PM - 8:30 PM

Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave

20th District National Night Out - Beat 2011

Tuesday, August 4: 5 PM - 8 PM

Winnemac Park, 2101 W. Foster Ave

This is a great opportunity to meet the police officers who keep us safe and connect with your neighbors, while having a great time! 

Veterans Resource Day - August 5

Calling all veterans! The 50th Ward is proudly partnering with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) to offer a monthly Veterans Resources Day at the Ward Office. Join us on the first Wednesday of every month at 2949 W. Devon to meet individually with experts and get connected to resources tailored for veterans and their families. The next monthly event will be on Wednesday, August 5 from 11 AM to 3 PM.

The government has many programs available to help those who served. If you are a veteran, the family member of a veteran, or you know a veteran in need, please come to this Veterans Resources Day and get the help you deserve. A veterans service officer will be here to assist with enrollment for health care, disability & compensation, employment, financial assistance, and more.

Click here for more information. For any questions, please call the 50th Ward Office at (773) 262-1050. We are dedicated to honoring all who served!

Volunteer Cleanup - New Date

Join us for a community volunteer event to help keep our neighborhood Clean & Green! I am partnering with the West Ridge Cleanup Crew to pick up trash on Oakley Ave between Arthur and Granville. We will meet at the corner of Arthur & Oakley on Sunday, August 9 (please note the new, rescheduled date) from 9:00 - 11:00 AM.

West Ridge Cleanup Crew is providing grabbers, gloves, and trash bags, but if you have any additional gear please bring it along.

Thank you to the West Ridge Cleanup Crew for organizing this event and to all our neighbors who care so deeply about our community! I hope to see you on Sunday at the Clean & Green!

Back to School Giveaway

It was wonderful seeing so many families at the annual 50th Ward Back to School Giveaway this week! We were able to give away more than 300 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to children from throughout the neighborhood.

We still have some backpacks available at the 50th Ward Office. If you need for your children, please give us a call at 773-262-1050 or stop by 2949 W Devon to check availability.

Thank you to everyone who came out to ensure our children start the school year on the right foot! Thank you to our sponsors: Devon Sport (2359 W Devon), AAIM Howard & Western LLC, and Peoples Gas.

The beginning of the school year is right around the corner. The first day of school for CPS students is Monday, August 24, and many private schools begin shortly after then. Please familiarize yourself with your school calendar and back to school resources so you can start strong right from day one. CPS students can check cps.edu/b2s for all the relevant information.

I hope all of our neighborhood’s students have a fantastic school year!

FORA Tour

I had a wonderful tour of the 50th Ward’s own FORA (Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America) facility this week. I have had the pleasure of visiting FORA several times so far, and it was wonderful to return for another tour of this incredible organization.

It was a privilege to meet with the summer students, hear about their experiences, and see firsthand the positive impact FORA is making in their lives. Their enthusiasm, resilience, and commitment to learning were truly inspiring.

FORA provides educational enrichment and critical support to refugee families as they build new lives in America. Through their many programs, they are helping children and families succeed and thrive. Their dedicated staff and volunteers are doing remarkable work to meet a vital need in our community, and I am grateful for all they do.

Sanabel Druze Leadership Program

It was a pleasure to welcome the outstanding young participants of the Sanabel Druze Leadership Program to Chicago City Hall this week and help organize a behind-the-scenes look at how our city government works.

Thank you to the Jewish United Fund of Chicago for sponsoring this incredible program, which empowers Druze youth across Israel with leadership training, educational opportunities, and the tools to make a lasting difference.

The Druze are a unique religious and ethnic minority with proud traditions. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that grants the Druze full citizenship and equal rights, and Druze citizens play an integral role in every aspect of Israeli society.

Wishing these remarkable young men and women continued success!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

50th Ward Movie in the Park

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Community Yard Signs Now in Stock

Free yard signs are now available for pickup at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W. Devon. There are currently four signs in stock: “Caution - Children Playing,” “Clean Up After Your Dog,” “Do Not Litter,” and “Know Your Rights.” Stop by to pick up your free signs.

Please call before coming to make sure the office is open and your desired signs are still available.

Storm Damage Assessment Survey

The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and partners are reviewing damage from the severe thunderstorms that occurred on July 27, 2026, and are asking that residents who have been impacted by these storms submit a Residential Self-Assessment Survey.

To fill out a survey, please click here. Additional languages can be selected by choosing the preferred language at the top of the survey.

This supplemental information will help determine whether the City, along with county and regional partners, can pursue any options for additional assistance for residents. Reporting damages to emergency management is a voluntary activity. It is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

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

Communities United Back to School Fair

24th District Police Court Advocacy

Tai Chi In the Park

GED Open House at Truman College