Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

March 13, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Condemning Yesterday’s Horrific Terrorist Attacks

I am devastated by the horrible terrorist attacks that targeted our nation yesterday, striking at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

There are no known threats to our community, but out of an abundance of caution, local police are placing special attention around synagogues and places of worship.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Lt. Col. Shah, who was murdered in the Virginia shooting. My thoughts and prayers are also with all of those injured in both attacks and with the entire communities impacted by these acts of terror.

Schools and places of worship are meant to be safe spaces where people can learn and pray in peace. They should never be scenes of terror or violence. I condemn these attacks in the strongest terms possible and call on our elected officials to act to keep all our communities safe.

Election Day Is This Tuesday

The Midterm Primary Election is this Tuesday, March 17. Polls will be open on Election Day from 6 AM to 7 PM. CLICK HERE to confirm you are registered, find your polling place, and view a sample ballot.

Click here for an interactive map of all the polling places in the 50th Ward.

Early Voting

Early voting is currently open at the Northtown Library (6800 N. Western) and will continue every day through Election Day. Hours are as follows:

• Weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM

• Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM

• Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM

• Election Day (March 17) from 6 AM to 7 PM

  
  

You can vote at any early voting site across the city. To find a location that is convenient for you, visit chicagoelections.gov/voting/early-voting. 

Vote By Mail

If you requested a vote by mail ballot, make sure to return it by Election Day. It is recommended that you use one of the secure drop boxes currently in place at the Northtown Library and all other early voting sites to return your ballot.

Ballots may also be returned through the mail but they 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 consider going directly to the post office counter and requesting a manual postmark if you want to mail your ballot.

If you have not received your vote by mail ballot or you change your mind and want to vote in person, you have that right. You can still go to any early voting site or your precinct polling place on Election Day. Bring your vote by mail ballot, if you have one, and surrender it to an election official, then vote on a new ballot. 

Register to Vote

Online voter registration is now closed, but you can still register to vote at your precinct polling place on Election Day or at any early voting site. To register in person, you must show two forms of ID, at least one of which lists your current address. Click here for acceptable forms of ID.

For more information about the upcoming election and how you can participate, visit chicagoelections.gov. Voting is our most fundamental civic duty. Please use your voice and vote!

Paper Shredding and Meds Disposal - March 29

I am once again partnering with the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce to host a paper shredding event in the 50th Ward. Join us on Sunday, March 29 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Republic Bank parking lot, 2720 W. Devon.

Bring your sensitive documents to be securely destroyed. Due to limited space in the shredding truck, early arrival is highly recommended.

The Shred Day will also feature medication and battery disposal, courtesy of Cook County. Come down to properly dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, and batteries.

For any questions, please contact the 50th Ward Office at (773) 262-1050 or [email protected].

Apply Now for Property Tax Exemption Savings

Property tax-saving exemption applications for the 2025 tax year are now available on the Cook County Assessor’s website. These savings could help lower your property tax bill. Visit www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions to apply now.

Exemptions appear on your second installment tax bill issued in the summer and can significantly lower your property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which applies to homeowners who own and occupy their property as their principal place of residence. The key exemptions you can now apply for are: 

• Homeowner Exemption - this exemption automatically renews each year. New homeowners, first-time applicants, or those that need to reapply can now do so online.

• Senior Exemption - this exemption automatically renews each year.

• Senior Freeze Exemption - this exemption must be filed annually.

• Persons with Disabilities Exemption - this exemption automatically renews each year.

• Veterans with Disabilities Exemption - this exemption must be filed annually.

Property tax exemptions can be applied for online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions or in one, streamlined paper application available here. To learn more, homeowners can join virtual exemptions workshops at 6 PM on Wednesday, March 25 in English or on Thursday, March 26 in Spanish. For a list of upcoming in-person and virtual outreach events, visit www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/event-list.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

I was honored to attend an International Women’s Day celebration yesterday, hosted by Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS) and Universal Metro Aging Services (UMAS). It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with so many neighbors and proud women from the 50th Ward!

I am grateful to MAFS and UMAS for inviting me and for all they do to support seniors, families, and immigrants in our community!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is this Tuesday, and the City of Chicago is ready to celebrate. The official downtown parade and dyeing of the Chicago River will take place on Saturday, March 14.

In one of the world's most famous St. Patrick's Day rituals, eco-friendly vegetable dye is poured into the Chicago River to turn it emerald green. The tradition has been in practice since 1962 and draws nearly 400,000 spectators. The dyeing can be best viewed from Upper Wacker and along the many bridges.

Wishing a very happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone in the 50th Ward!

Eid Mubarak!

Our Muslim neighbors will celebrate Eid al-Fitr this coming week. Eid is an important Islamic holiday marking the end of the month of Ramadan. The 50th Ward has a large and vibrant Muslim community and Eid is a very festive time in our neighborhood. I encourage everyone to come down to Devon Avenue and join in the celebrations.

We expect a lot of pedestrians on Devon Ave east of California during the holiday, and the police will be out to make sure everyone is able to celebrate safely.

Wishing an Eid Mubarak, a very happy and blessed Eid, to all of my friends and neighbors in the 50th Ward!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Shred Day Flyer

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

Tax Day is right around the corner. Unless you have requested an extension, you must file your Federal and State tax returns before midnight on Wednesday, April 15.

The City of Chicago is once again partnering with Ladder Up to offer free tax preparation assistance to eligible working families to help them file their taxes and receive all of the deductions and tax credits to which they are entitled. Visit www.goladderup.org for information on site locations, dates, and hours.

Income eligible families and individuals can take advantage of the free and confidential income tax assistance. Trained volunteers will assist you in completing and electronically filing Federal and Illinois tax returns, and finding out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and other tax credits.

For more information, visit www.goladderup.org/our-services/tax-assistance.

Request a Free Tree on Your Parkway

With spring on its way, now is the time to request a tree be planted in a public parkway, free of charge. Simply call the 50th Ward Office or submit a Tree Planting Request online.

Planting trees improves air quality, prevents flooding, provides shade and cool air, and reduces pollution. The benefits of trees are numerous and of increasing importance in this age of climate change. More trees mean healthier communities and healthier lives.

Tree planting service requests are handled in the order in which they are received. Once your request is submitted, your planting site will be investigated by Forestry staff to confirm its suitability for a tree to grow. For the health of the trees, planting is typically only done in the spring and fall, with the exact timing of each season varying based on weather and ground temperatures.

Learn more about the benefits of planting trees and find answers to frequently asked questions at chicago.gov/OurRoots.

Become a Court Advocate

The 24 District is seeking volunteers to become Court Advocates. Court Advocates follow, attend, and track court cases that are of concern to the community. Please contact the CAPS Office at [email protected] if interested in this program.

Court Advocate activities include: 

• Tracking Key Cases: Subcommittees work with the police to monitor cases that matter most to the neighborhood. This ranges from violent crimes to "quality of life" issues such as drug dealing, problem landlords, and abandoned buildings.

• Supporting Victims and Witnesses: For many, testifying can be a source of anxiety. Having community volunteers in the courtroom provides support to victims and witnesses.

Court advocacy is a way to show support for victims and stand in solidarity against crime in your community. To learn more about how you can participate, contact the 24th District CAPS Office at [email protected] or 312-744-6321.

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

24th District Police Senior Movie

24th District Police Youth Program

17th District Police Youth Program

Become a Chicago CERT Volunteer