Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

May 1, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Support the Family of Slain Officer John Bartholomew

Our community continues to be devastated by the murder of Police Officer John Bartholomew of the 17th District, who was killed in the line of duty at Swedish Hospital. As an update, I want to share a way to support his family during this incredibly difficult time.

Please consider donating to the GoFundMe established for his loved ones. The link has been verified by the 17th District Police Commander, so you can give with confidence.

I have always stood firmly in support of our police officers, who put their lives on the line every day to keep our city safe. I hope our community comes together to show our gratitude and stand with Officer Bartholomew’s family in their time of pain.

Every contribution makes a difference.

Veterans Resource Day - May 6

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, May 6 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!

Recognizing Our Amazing Teachers

This week we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, an annual opportunity to recognize the tremendous impact educators have on our children and our community. The 50th Ward has some of the most dedicated and amazing teachers who give selflessly of their time.

Thank you to every single one of our teachers who do so much for our children. Your commitment and devotion does not go unnoticed. Thank you all!

Thanking Our Heroic Nurses

Next week also marks National Nurses Week, an annual celebration of our nation’s amazing nurses! Nurses Week begins every year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—saving lives and offering comfort in our most vulnerable moments. Thank you to all the local 50th Ward nurses for your tireless work and unwavering care. Your service makes our neighborhood healthier, safer, and stronger. 

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. The Chicago Metropolitan Area has one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States, with many Jewish residents calling the 50th Ward home. Jews have contributed significantly to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of our great city, and have made an indelible impact on all areas of American life.

I am proud of my Jewish heritage. As the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council, and at a time when anti-Jewish hate is rising to unheard of levels, I am committed to bringing our unique ethics, values, and culture to work on behalf of the 50th Ward and the entire City of Chicago.

You can learn more about this important commemoration at jewishamericanheritage.org. Wishing you all a happy Jewish American Heritage Month!

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May is also Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a yearly celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The 50th Ward has a large and vibrant Asian American population who has had a tremendous impact on our neighborhood, as well as the entire City of Chicago. We are truly fortunate to have such a large group of diverse voices and cultures making up our 50th Ward community!

You can learn more about this important commemoration at asianpacificheritage.gov. Wishing a happy Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month to the entire 50th Ward!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

This Tuesday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo. Originally started as a commemoration of the 1862 Mexican military victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, the Fifth of May has become a nationally recognized celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Deadline to Apply for Property Tax Saving Exemptions

The deadline to apply for property tax-saving exemptions for the 2025 tax year is fast approaching. Visit www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions to apply now. The deadline to file an exemption application is Friday, May 15.

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 or in one, streamlined paper application available here. To learn more, visit www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions.

Rogers Park Township Property Tax Appeals

Rogers Park Township is now open for property tax appeals through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The assessment of your home is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in property taxes. The good news is that you can appeal your valuation and potentially lower your taxes.

Rogers Park Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is north of Devon. The appeals period is open until Monday, June 1. You can file an appeal online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/online-appeals.

If your appeal is accepted, changes to your property's assessed value will be reflected in the second installment property tax bill you receive next year in late 2027.

For any questions, please contact the 50th Ward Office at (773) 262-1050 or contact Commissioner Josina Morita’s Office at (312) 603-6383.

Block Party and Jumping Jack Applications

Apply for a free bouncy house at your block party this summer!  The Jumping Jack application is now open online here. Inflatables will be available on Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through September 6. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply as early as possible to ensure your block party date is available.

The weather is getting nicer and that means block party season is almost here! These fun events are a summer fixture in Chicago and help bring the community together. Block party applications can be found online at 50thward.org/block-party.

Complete the online intake form and a 50th Ward staffer will send you a block party permit. If you prefer a paper form, you can download one here and return it to the 50th Ward Office at 2949 W. Devon or email it to [email protected].

Become a Court Advocate

The 24th 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.

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.

SBA Disaster Declaration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that impacted six counties in northeastern Illinois from Aug. 16–18, 2025. This declaration will allow homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain non-profit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help cover damages not covered by insurance.

The declaration includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. These areas qualify for both physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) through the SBA. Homeowners and renters can apply for up to $500,000 in low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners or renters can apply for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property such as appliances and furniture. Businesses and some not-for-profits can borrow up to $2 million for physical damages.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Friday, May 15. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Wednesday, December 16.

Summer Jobs for Chicago Youth

The Chicago Youth Works (CYW) application portal is now open. Chicago Youth Works — formerly One Summer Chicago — reflects the City’s continued investment in expanding youth employment opportunities and strengthening pathways to long-term career success for Chicago’s young people.

The City's goal is to hire 29,000 young people (ages 14-24) through paid summer opportunities. Interested youth can apply online at ChicagoYouthWorks.org. The application deadline is May 29, but interested youth should apply early to increase their chances of receiving a job offer.

Summer employment will be a minimum of 6 weeks starting in June and conclude in late July or early August, dependent on the employer the young person is hired through. Youth ages 14-15 will have access to stipend paid opportunities while youth and young adults ages 16-24 will be paid an hourly wage.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Northtown Garden Society Event

Chamber of Commerce Community Guide