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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for November 24, 2025
In This Edition:
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Office Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving
 The 2nd Ward Office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen for normal business hours on Monday, December 1.
If you need to file a service request, please to use the 3-1-1 portal. For emergencies, please call 9-1-1.
From all of us here at the 2nd Ward, we want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
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Statement on Violent Shooting After Mass Riot in the Loop, Other Chaotic and Tragic Incidents
Dear Neighbors,
On Friday evening, a violent and chaotic scene unfolded after what should have been a festive and enjoyable evening for all Chicagoans. After the official Chicago tree lighting ceremony at Millenium Park ended, large unruly gatherings of juveniles crowded city streets and led to a violent shooting on State Street near the Chicago Theatre that has so far left 9 injured. All between the ages of 13 and 17.
In a separate incident, 14-year-old Armani Floyd was killed in another shooting in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street. An 18-year-old man was also injured in that incident. Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests in either case (CWBChicago).
While these violent incidents invoke emotions of fear, anger, and fatigue, they may not have happened at all had the leadership in our city stepped back and allowed the city council to enact sensible solutions to prevent chaotic and violent episodes like this from even taking place.
Mayor Johnson vetoed my ordinance to establish a place-and-time dependent curfew in June of this year. It democratically passed by 27 votes, yet he chose to block it.
I will not accept one proposition over another. We can invest in our young people, as the mayor suggests and that I agree with, while also protecting our neighborhoods from riots that are instigated by a violent few. Curfews may have very well protected the victims by preventing them from being on the street at all.
I plan to renew my efforts (with 27 if not more of my fellow aldermen) for a common-sense curfew that puts our communities first. Safety can no longer be brushed to the side to accommodate political whimsy.
Sincerely,
Brian Hopkins
Alderman, 2nd Ward
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City Club Conversation on the 2026 Budget
Last Wednesday, I was pleased to host a discussion between four aldermen at City Club. The conversation, featuring my City Council colleagues Jessie Fuentes, Jason Ervin, Matt O'Shea, and Samantha Nugent, focused on the state of budget proceedings and the various paths that the City Council can take to improve the city's finances. I would like to thank Dan Gibbons and City Club for hosting this important conversation.
Click here to view the conversation.
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Text Correspondence Regarding Budget Vote
Over the past couple of weeks, 2nd Ward residents may have received text messages that ranged from supportive or in opposition of their city council member's vote in the recent budget hearing that saw the head tax struck down 25-10. One of the text messages claimed that I had "voted against a budget that would have supported working families". It is a patent lie and one that bears little substance apart from political bromide. However, that is not what I have an issue with.
Content of the message aside, text messages that are sent to voters must include a "paid for by" disclaimer that transparently shows the recipient where the communication is coming from and who is paying for it. The "group" that sent the text message in question is not registered with the State Board of Elections and therefore is not in compliance with the laws that govern how political messaging must be conducted.
This deceptive, illegal activity erodes confidence in the systems that regulate how money can be used to influence policy. It is unethical to send out communications without being transparent about who you are and where the money comes from. I plan to file a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections to uncover if these deceptive text messages can be tracked back to a group to hold them accountable for their unscrupulous actions.
Political text messaging is a legal form of speech and one that the federal government preserves but regulates. All voices deserve to be heard, but the public should have some confidence that everyone is abiding by the rules and disclosing the funding behind their efforts.
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CBS Coverage of Mag Mile Shopping Excitement
Last week, I spoke with CBS Chicago about the exciting state of activity on the Magnificent Mile ahead of the holiday shopping season. Like many retail districts, Michigan Avenue struggled during the early stages of the pandemic but has seen a number of new business openings and foot traffic exceeding pre-pandemic numbers.
Click here to view the story on CBS Chicago.
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Shop Local on Small Business Saturday: November 29
 Remember to support your local small businesses this holiday season. Small Business Saturday is an annual event that takes place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. I encourage residents to patronize many of our ward's great small businesses.
The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association (OTMRA) will be in Burton Place Plaza between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Stop by and show a receipt of a purchase at a local business to receive goodies and be entered into a raffle.
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2nd Ward Tree Lightings: Old Town and Seneca Park
I was pleased to join many of you at Old Town's tree lighting last Tuesday, as well as Seneca Park's annual tree lighting ceremony last Wednesday. These events always represent the start of the holiday season for me, and I was glad to welcome it in with 2nd Ward neighbors and two bright and beautiful trees. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, the Seneca Park Advisory Council, Dave and Jean Kostelansky, Marcy Huttas, and everyone else who worked to make these events so special.
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Blue Line Fire Assault
Like all of you, I continue to be horrified by the emerging details surrounding the fire attack on the Blue Line last week. The latest indicates that the suspect had an extensive violent history of criminal activity, including arson. This person should not have been on public transit, and his actions represent another instance of concerning standards set by our justice system.
No one should be forced to feel that they are taking their lives into their hands when they use the CTA. Officials in every part of our government should be doing everything in their power to ensure that brutal attacks like this one cannot happen again.
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State's Attorney Burke's New Expedited Felony Review Standard
The Cook County State's Attorney's office announced the citywide implementation of Expedited Felony Review, a program allowing Chicago Police officers to file nonviolent felony gun possession charges on-site. This is a strong step to make our processing of gun offenses more efficient, freeing up time for officers and prosecutors alike to take guns off our streets and make Chicago safer. I commend State's Attorney Burke on this initiative and look forward to seeing it used for the sake of safer communities.
Click here to learn more.
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Take the Chicago Police Training Survey
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is soliciting your feedback on how CPD conducts training. The University of Chicago Survey Lab is carrying out the survey and will only report answers in ways that do not identify any individuals. The survey takes just 5 minutes to complete. Please add your voice to help CPD identify training priorities and goals. Click here to take the survey.
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Recent Carjacking Arrests:
Community Alerts:
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
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18th District CompStat Report
Computer Statistics report (CompStat) is a weekly report of incidents that have occurred in the respective police district. Each district compiles a statistical summary of the week's crime complaints, arrests, and data analysis. to learn more about CompStat.
Please see the 18th District CompStat report below:
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18th Police District Council Meeting: Tomorrow, November 25
Join the 18th Police District Council for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 25, at 12:15 pm at the Near North Library, located at 310 W Division St. Commander Christopher Beilfeldt will be this month's featured speaker.
Please note: Limited parking is available in the adjacent lot. If you wish to participate in this meeting virtually via Zoom, please register here or click here to RSVP to attend in person.
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2025 Chicago Police CAPS Meetings Schedule
The Chicago Police Department's Beat community meetings are a key part of the CAPS strategy of partnerships and problem-solving. These meetings are held in-person and are an excellent way to communicate with the officers who patrol your beat and to engage with and meet your neighbors.
The entirety of the 2nd Ward falls inside the 18th District. Click here to find which beat you reside in.
18th District: East of the Chicago River and south of Fullerton Avenue.
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Special Street Sweeping Announcement
The Department of Streets and Sanitation has announced that street sweeping will be extended through Dec. 12, weather permitting. The posted schedule and text alerts conclude today, so please be on the lookout for street sweeping signage in order to allow for the best cleaning possible before winter is upon us.
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Know Your Rights with Clerk Spyropoulos
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Mariyana Spyropoulos, will be hosting a "Know Your Rights and Be Prepared" virtual town hall on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 pm. The event will cover immigration, guardianship, power of attorney, deed transfers, and other important resources.
Click here to register.
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Cook County Property Tax Bills 2nd Installment
 With the release of the 2024 second installment tax bills from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, homeowners should check to make sure they are not missing property tax-saving exemptions.
Homeowners are encouraged to review the bottom left corner of the tax bill to confirm their exemption deductions. Most homeowners are eligible for the Homeowner Exemption, which saves approximately $950 dollars. Senior homeowners over 65 are likely eligible for additional property tax savings with the Senior Exemption.
Seniors and Veterans may also be eligible for further exemptions, such as the “Senior Freeze” and Veterans with Disabilities exemptions.
If a homeowner believes they are eligible for an exemption, they can apply for their missing property tax savings by completing a Certificate of Error application. The Certificate of Error process provides homeowners with an opportunity to redeem missing exemptions for the 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 tax years.
Homeowners are encouraged to immediately submit an online application or make an appointment to apply for missing exemptions. Accepted photo IDs and documents required to apply are listed on the Assessor’s website.
To learn more about missing exemptions, join a virtual workshop on Facebook or YouTube on the following dates: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
To see a full list of available exemptions, visit www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions.
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The North Dearborn Association Joy of Toys: Saturday, December 6
The North Dearborn Association (NDA) is hosting its 32nd Annual Joy of Toys on Saturday, December 6, from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm at Mario's Table, located at 21 W Goethe St. Drop off toys and stay for the complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks. Take home a free special pizza to go. Donate online here.
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18th District Holiday Toy Drive: Through December 10
 The 18th District is seeking donations for its holiday toy drive now through December 10. All donations can be dropped off at the 18th District lobby, located at 1160 N Larrabee Ave.
They are collecting new toys, new coats, hats, scarves, and school supplies for youth aged 5-17. For more information, call the 18th District CAPS team at 312-742-5778.
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Fourth Saturday Family Story Time at Near North Library: Saturday, November 22
This Saturday, November 22, the Near North library is hosting its "Fourth Saturday Family Story Time," an event where families participate in an interactive program featuring read-along books, songs, and movement activities. The event will take place from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.
Click here for more information. Click here to view all upcoming events at Near North (select "Near North" under Location on the left side).
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Clothing Drive with the Chicago Help Initiative
 The Chicago Help Initiative is accepting donations of warm clothes and outerwear to be dropped off at 721 N LaSalle Dr.
Drop-offs can be made between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, or between 8:00 am and 9:30 am on Saturdays. Alternatively, those wishing to donate can find the requested items by clicking here.
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Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church: Saturday, December 6
Join First St. Paul's Lutheran Church for their first annual Christmas tree lighting and caroling on Saturday, December 6, at 5:00 pm on the patio at 1301 N LaSalle Dr. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a festive evening to celebrate the holidays.
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Clark Street Cookie Crawl: Sunday, December 7
 The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Cookie Crawl on Sunday, December 7, from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, starting at 2577 N Clark St. Visit businesses along Clark Street to collect a variety of delicious holiday cookies. Enjoy surprises along the way, including carolers, hot chocolate, and the chance to snap photos with Santa.
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First St. Paul's Annual Christmas Concert: Sunday, December 14
 Join First St Paul's for a Christmas concert featuring choir, orchestra, and carols. Free parking is available at the Franklin School parking lot, located at 274 W Goethe St.
Please contact the church directly if you have any questions at 312-642-7172.
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