Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

January 30, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Mourning the Passing of Sgt. Kenneth Fowler

I am deeply saddened by the passing of CPD Sergeant Kenneth Fowler who served the 24th District. A lifelong Chicagoan who grew up in Rogers Park, Sgt. Fowler dedicated his career to protecting the residents of the 50th Ward with honor and integrity. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

As a devoted father and a courageous public servant, Sgt. Fowler’s legacy of service brings immense pride to our Ward and the entire City of Chicago. We are forever grateful for his contributions to public safety and his unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe.

Condemning the Killing of Alex Pretti 

The killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis is both horrifying and deeply saddening. My heart goes out to his loved ones and the Minneapolis community as they grapple with the trauma of yet another ICE involved shooting.

This tragedy is a disturbing example of the harm caused by ICE’s reckless enforcement tactics. Everyone involved must be held fully accountable for their actions, and the public deserves complete transparency surrounding this horrible incident.

Final Remaining Israeli Hostage Brought Home

Earlier this week, the body of Ran Gvili, the final remaining Israeli hostage, was recovered outside of Gaza City. For the first time since 2014, there are no hostages in Gaza; they are all home. This closes out an agonizing and excruciating period for Israel and the Jewish people worldwide.

I cannot imagine the pain the Gvili family went through during the long 843 days of Ran’s captivity. It is my fervent prayer that they are able to find closure and consolation in finally being able to properly lay Ran to rest.

Protecting Chicago's Jewish Community

I am proud to report that a new ordinance I co-sponsored, aimed at combating antisemitism in Chicago, unanimously passed through the City Council last week. Chicago has taken a clear and historic stand against hate by officially adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. 

Chicago now joins a global consensus of more than 1,200 entities worldwide, including the United States, 37 U.S. state governments, and 98 city and county bodies who have adopted this definition. At a time when antisemitic hate crimes are surging locally, this City Council action sends an unmistakable message that anti-Jewish hate has no place in Chicago.

Veterans Resource Day - Feb. 4

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 (note the new day for 2026) 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, February 4 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!

Beat 2011 Police CAPS Meeting

The 20th District Police will be holding a CAPS meeting this week for Beat 2011. The meeting will be held in-person at the 20th District Station, 5400 N. Lincoln, this Monday, February 2 at 7 PM.

Beat 2011 stretches from Peterson to Foster and from Western to the North Shore Channel. The CAPS meeting is a great opportunity to discuss safety concerns directly with the police and your neighbors.

For more information, please call the 20th District CAPS Office at (312) 742-8770 or email [email protected]. Find all the upcoming local CAPS meetings at 50thward.org/police.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

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.

High School Election Judges Needed

Chicago is looking for high school students to serve as Election Judges for the upcoming Primary Election. You can learn about the voting process and help defend democracy, while getting paid!

The Student Judge program gives high school students the opportunity to serve as Election Judges at polling places across the City of Chicago. Students, like adults, are paid for their training and Election Day services. For elections that fall during a school day, students receive a full-day excused absence per Illinois law, if the day is not already a school holiday.

The application deadline is Tuesday, February 3. To learn more about eligibility or to apply, click here. If you are bilingual, make sure to notify the Board of Elections, especially if you speak Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Polish, Korean, or Tagalog.

For any questions, contact [email protected] or (312) 269-7985.

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.

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.

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.

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].

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Owl Walk at Park 538

Northtown Garden Society Event

24th District Police Senior Movie

Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy

Community Development Grants