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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,
Last week, our ward experienced two terrible losses of life. Firefighter Michael Altman died fighting a fire, and Loyola student Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed while at the park with friends. Authorities ruled the fire an arson, and the shooting a homicide. Over the weekend, police made arrests in both cases, and the suspects have been charged. Thank you to our Firefighters, EMTs, the police of the 24th District, and Area 3 detectives for their dedication to our community. Our sincerest condolences are with the families and friends of Michael and Sheridan. The deaths of these two individuals are a loss to us all.
As the investigation of Sheridan's murder unfolded over the weekend, the suspect police took into custody was identified as a recent immigrant to our country. Gun violence and immigration policy have been two of the most challenging issues facing our country and our city. Sheridan's murder has become a national story touching on these painful and difficult issues. I know that people are in pain, and tensions will be high as we work to find solutions to keep everyone in our community safe. I ask that here, in the 49th Ward, we bring compassion, patience, and understanding to debates and discussions we have with our neighbors about this in the coming weeks.
In recent days, some of my comments about the investigation surrounding the murder of Sheridan Gorman have been circulating in conservative news cycles and social media groups. I've included my statement in response the media backlash below. This, along with the high-profile nature of the tragedy, has led to an overwhelming number of phone calls and emails to my office. The majority of these communications are from out-of-state individuals who are angry about my comments and Chicago's sanctuary city status. Our social media pages have also been inundated with negative reviews and hateful comments. The content of the phone messages and emails that my staff and I have been receiving is explicit and disturbing. The messages and calls include threats of violence against myself, my family, and my team, including racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language. Additionally, many callers have been verbally abusive to my staff, making it difficult to serve the constituents of the 49th Ward.
To ensure we were available to the constituents of the 49th Ward and to protect the safety and wellness of my team, I moved them to remote work on Wednesday and Thursday and gave them Friday off to rest and recuperate. I continued to work as usual. Our office will reopen as usual on Monday.
Additionally, several people called or emailed me, inquiring about the commotion outside the Ward Office on Tuesday. There was a group protesting anti-immigrant, anti-sanctuary city policies. Counterprotestors also showed up, and police intervened to ensure both groups could exercise their First Amendment rights safely. This group may plan other protests at the office in the future. We must respect the First Amendment rights of everyone, so if you encounter this group, do not engage in anything that could escalate into physical altercations. Though they may not represent the views and values of our community, we will always respect and uphold the civil liberties afforded to everyone in our nation by our Constitution.
Have a safe and restful weekend,
Alderwoman Maria Hadden
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Statement on the Murder of Sheridan Gorman
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On Thursday, March 19, Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman was murdered. Sheridan and her friends were in the park, and a masked man at Pratt Pier shot and killed her. As I previously shared in social media posts and interviews on the day of the murder - my sincerest condolences go to Sheridan’s family and community. Within two days, Chicago Police were able to identify a person of interest, take him into custody, and on Sunday, formally file murder charges against him. I am grateful to the police of our 24th District and Area 3 detectives for their swift work in apprehending the suspect. It’s still unclear what motivated this terrible act of violence, but the person who shot Sheridan is the only one responsible for her death.
Over the past few days, a clip from an interview I did with Fox Live about the murder has gone viral on conservative media. The interviewer asked me whether Sheridan was targeted by the shooter and whether this was related to the “Duck Walk Killer,” who terrorized our community in 2018. I replied, “no,” that this seemed to be “a senseless wrong place, wrong time tragedy.” In the interview, I also mentioned that Sheridan and the other students were doing a normal activity - they were out at the park enjoying it the way so many of us do.
In an effort to make sense of a senseless situation, I said things that landed wrong with some people. My comments were never intended to blame the victim or to imply that Sheridan should not have been out enjoying the park or that it was her fault that she was shot. In the interview, I tried my best to share the limited information I had with our community as quickly as possible while helping address people's fears about the shooting. I sincerely apologize for any additional pain that my comments may have caused. The fact that some media outlets are intentionally creating sound bites to misconstrue my words during this tragedy is also unfortunate.
Since Thursday, my team and I have been focused on supporting Sheridan’s family and our community. Sheridan’s life was stolen from her. At this moment, the group that should be at the center of our thoughts is her family. They are grieving the loss of their daughter, and our community and the Loyola community are grieving a life cut short by gun violence. As we do during every tragedy, especially those in which a life is cut short, Rogers Park sticks together. We hold one another in our grief. We show one another kindness. We support each other. And this is what we will continue to do.
Sheridan’s family has started a GoFundMe to launch the Sheridan Gorman Memorial & Scholarship Fund. I hope you will join me in making a donation so that Sheridan’s legacy can continue through this scholarship. Please give what you can.
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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
- 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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Youth Leadership Council Attends City Council
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Last week, our Youth Leadership Council students from Sullivan High School attended City Council. These hard-working students received an acknowledgement in Chambers, as well as an opportunity to meet Mayor Brandon Johnson. We had a great day of engaging with Alders, city staff, and learning more about legislative processes!
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Women in Housing Celebrated by Builders Group
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The Rogers Park Builders Group (RPBG) and Women Housing & Income Providers (WHIP) celebrated women who have been leaders in housing development in Chicago for Women's History Month. The panel featured Carla Price onf PMG Vintage Apartments, Faye Pantazelos of Imperial Realty, and Bonita Harrison of Sunshine Management and was moderated by WHIP President, founder and 49th Ward resident Tracy Scanlon. The women shared their personal stories of how they got started in real estate and development and the personal challenges they overcame in male-dominated spaces. Alderwoman Hadden was happy to be a guest speaker to welcome the panel to the ward.
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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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Good Friday Processions Street Closures
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Please note the above street closures on Friday, April 3rd, for Good Friday processions. The sections of W Albion, N Greenview, W Pratt, N Ashland, and W Lunt indicated by the red line will be closed from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, W Touhy Ave will be closed between Greenview and Ashland from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 3rd.
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49th Ward Clean and Green April 18th!
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Join us for our annual ward-wide cleaning event, the 49th Ward Clean and Green! Our annual event will be held on Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m! If you would like to sign up to volunteer and submit a location to be cleaned, please complete this form: bit.ly/cleanandgreen2026. We hope to see you all there, beautifying our neighborhood one piece of trash at a time!
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Glenwood Ave Arts Fest Artist Applications Open
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Artist applications are now being accepted for the 25th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest! The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is Rogers Park’s annual outdoor celebration of arts and community, run by a volunteer planning committee to showcase our neighborhood’s arts, talents, and businesses. Interested in applying? Click here: https://gaaf2026.artcall.org/
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1224 W Loyola Ave Demolition Underway
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Please be aware that the demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave has resumed, after coordinating with the CTA. Please continue to send any questions or concerns to Jennifer Clark, Loyola's Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, at [email protected].
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The Chicago Department of Transportation will be grinding the following street in our ward:
- N. Glenwood Ave (1400 W) from W Pratt Blvd (6800 N) to W. Devon Ave (6400 N)
Glenwood will be ground up starting on April 2. Parking will be limited on these streets as construction commences, so we advise you to seek alternate parking options for the time being.
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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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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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Pottawattomie Park Bunny Brunch Today
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Join the Chicago Park District on Saturday, March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a Bunny Bonanza Brunch at Pottawattomie Park (7340 N Rogers)! Come get tattoo stickers, arts & crafts, an egg hunt, and more! Tickets cost $5 per person, and you can purchase tickets here.
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Wild Onion Market Women's History Month Celebration March 29
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To celebrate Women’s History Month, Wild Onion Market (7007 N Clark St) will host an open house from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. It will feature comments by the founder of Evanston Grows and several of the women who create many of the nourishing and healthy products on Wild Onion Market’s shelves. Stop by this free celebration if you can!
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New Life Church will be holding an easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 29, at Touhy Park (7325 N Clark) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Stop by for face painting, rabbit petting, and more!
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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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Northtown Garden Society Event April 2
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Are you interested in learning more about environmental equity in Chicago? Join the Northtown Garden Society for their April speaking event, where Gina Iliopoulos will present on the evolution of Keeler Gardens. The event will be on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m., at Warren Park (6601 N Western Ave). Find out more here.
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Rogers Park Library April Events
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The Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark St) has plenty of upcoming events during the month of April, free for all constituents! Check out the above posters and support your local library.
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Jarvis Square Egg Hunt April 4
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Jarvis Square (Jarvis/Greenview) will be holding an egg hunt on Saturday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. for all who want to attend. There will be a free egg hunt and live music from Miss A Leigh's Live High Energy Interactive Musical Experience! Stop by and celebrate with the community!
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Park District 2026 Parks Clean-Up April 18
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The Chicago Park District is excited to host the 2026 Citywide Earth Day Parks Clean-Up on Saturday, April 18. Each year, thousands of volunteers come together to help clean and beautify parks throughout the city. This event is a wonderful opportunity for residents to connect with neighbors while supporting the green spaces that serve our communities. Volunteer registration is now open! Residents can find a park and register to volunteer here
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RPBA Spiral Into Spring Fundraiser April 19
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Join the Rogers Park Business Alliance for a Glenwood Sunday Market fundraiser on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse). General admission tickets cost $50 and VIP admission tickets cost $100 or $500. Tickets purchased raise critical funds to help the market remain open and provide fresh, healthy food for all attendees, including SNAP customers who can use their dollars at these farmer's markets. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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GENARRATIONS Storytelling Opens April 13
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Join GENARRATIONS, a FREE seven-week writing and performance class for adults 55 and older. Writers of all experience levels are welcome! Storytellers in GeNarrations meet once a week for two hours to write five-minute stories based on themes raised by Goodman productions. GENARRATIONS begins Tuesday, April 28, and will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard St. Registration begins Monday, April 13. For more information, please contact [email protected].
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FREE Health and Wellness Class at Howard and Evanston Community Center
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Howard and Evanston Community Center is offering a FREE Health and Wellness class three days a week from March 31 to June 12. If you are interested in a job in the healthcare field or want to learn about different health conditions, then this entry-level class may be for you! For more information, email May Dartez at [email protected], and visit bit.ly/4jLm4Kw to sign up.
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Family Literacy Program For Kids 0-5!
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Heartland Human Care Services (5715 W Belmont) offers a Family Literacy program, which provides learning and play time for children ages 0-5, while parents attend their in-person classes. There are also other family literacy activities and field trips, including library visits where families can build community. Interested? Contact them at abiatoyebi@heartlandhumancareservices.org.
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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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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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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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CFD Career Exploration Course Available
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Are you a young adult between the ages of 18 and 30 who is interested in becoming a Chicago Fire Department firefighter or paramedic? Apply for the CFD Career Exploration Course, a free six-week opportunity to learn more about careers in the fire service and emergency medical services! The course will take place every Wednesday from April 8 through May 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Malcolm X College (1900 W Jackson). This course will introduce participants to the history, mission, and structure of the Chicago Fire Department while providing valuable insight into both the Firefighter/EMT and Paramedic career tracks.
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DWM Summer Intern Application Closes March 30
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The Department of Water Management is looking for summer interns for 2026! This role is for students seeking to gain knowledge of and valuable work experience in public sector/city government operations. Work hours are flexible to meet the needs of students and city departments. These are
temporary positions. Internships are limited to one academic year. You can find more and apply here. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 30.
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Free ACT Test Prep For Students
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Attention students! GoSTEM, a local organization that partners with CPS, is offering free ACT test prep for Chicago students who are interested. This enrichment program allows students to gain valuable test prep experience and learn from trusted volunteers. Interested in learning more? Contact their Program Assistant, Cathy Ly, at cathy@thegostem.org or click here.
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Chicago Youth Works Application Portal Now Open
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Get Paid. Get Skilled. Get Ahead. Chicagoans from 14 to 24 years old can apply for paid summer jobs and opportunities today at ChicagoYouthWorks.org! Check out this fantastic opportunity for this summer!
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My Chi. My Future. Teen Bash Tickets Available!
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Tickets for the 2026 My CHI. My Future. Teen Bash, one of the biggest FREE events for teens in Chicago, are now available! Teens ages 13-19 are invited to attend this event on Saturday, March 28, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier (840 E Grand Ave). Doors open at 12:00 p.m. for a resource fair featuring summer job applications, and the main event begins at 1:00 p.m.
Attendees can expect:
- Free pizza and snacks
- Giveaways (including Lollapalooza and Chicago Sky tickets)
- Live musical performances & DJing from Pep Rally Takeover
- Exclusive merch drops designed by Clue?
- Video Games
- Skateboarding & Air Hockey
- Resource fair with summer job opportunities
- And more!
The event is completely free, but all attendees must register for a ticket. You can register for a ticket here: tinyurl.com/teenbash26.
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Paid Junior Bike Ambassador Fellowship Available
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The Chicago Safe Ambassador program is currently accepting applications for junior bike ambassadors to educate children of all ages about mobility safety in the city. This paid seasonal mentorship is for Chicago residents 16 or older who enjoy working with kids and navigating the city by bike. For more details about the program, please reach out to [email protected]. For those interested in the job, please reach out to [email protected] or fill out this interest form.
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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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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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Amnesty April is back! City Clerk Anna Valencia is waiving late fees and back charges to drivers from April 1-30, 2026. City Stickers can be purchased at any Office of the City Clerk or Department of Finance location, online using EzBuy (must have or create an account by April 17), or at a Mobile City Hall event. Get the full details at www.chicityclerk.com/AmnestyMonth!
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TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Program Available
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The Chicago Department of Housing has announced the launch of the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program – Series 2026, an initiative designed to help eligible homebuyers reduce their federal income tax liability and expand access to affordable homeownership opportunities for Chicago residents.
The TaxSmart MCC Program provides qualified homebuyers with a federal income tax credit based on a percentage of the mortgage interest paid annually. By reducing homeowners’ federal tax liability, the program helps lower the effective cost of homeownership and increases purchasing power for income-eligible households, including many first-time homebuyers.
You can learn more about the program by visiting City of Chicago :: TaxSmart, or by calling (312) 744-0891.
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CCHR Hate Crime Reporting
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The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) has provided us with a brief graphic explaining the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident, and how to report either act. You can contact CCHR with any questions at [email protected].
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Property Tax Exemption Applications Available
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Are you a homeowner in Cook County? You may be eligible for property tax savings. The following are available exemptions:
- Homeowner Exemption
- Senior Exemption
- Senior Freeze Exemption
- Veterans with Disabilities Exemption
- Returning Veterans Exemption
- World War II Exemption
- Persons with Disabilities Exemption
View exemption eligibility, documentation required, and apply online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so that there is a digital record of their application. Applying online allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify of missing documents needed to complete the application.
Homeowners can join in-person and virtual workshops on how to file for exemptions. For a list of upcoming events, visit cookcountyassessoril.gov/event-list .
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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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