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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for December 8, 2025
In This Edition:
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Alternative Budget Proposed, Rejected by Mayor
Last week, I joined a majority of my colleagues on City Council in signing onto an alternative budget proposal to Mayor Johnson's. This proposal was drafted in consultation with budget experts and designed to make our financial outlook more stable, rather than harm our credit rating, by eliminating the head tax and fulfilling our pension obligations. Unfortunately, Mayor Johnson quickly shared his opposition to the budget and said that he would veto it. As credit analysts continue to voice concern over Chicago's poor budgeting, fiscal responsibility must be a top priority in any budget proposal, and I will continue to resist efforts by this administration to damage Chicago's future through irresponsible budgeting.
Click here to read more about the alternative budget proposal.
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REMINDER: Sidewalk Snow Removal
Snow-covered sidewalks create hazards for everyone—especially vulnerable users like seniors, people with disabilities, and children. Per the Municipal Code of Chicago (4-4-310 & 10-8-180), property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks to keep our neighborhoods safe and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do the regulations for sidewalk snow removal in Chicago apply to home, business, and property owners?
Yes, sidewalk snow regulations affect all home, business, and property owners in Chicago. Business owners who rent space adjacent to sidewalks are responsible for shoveling snow under the ordinance. Some landlords for residential and commercial property hold tenants responsible for snow clearance as a part of their lease agreements, others do not. Renters who are not certain of their shoveling responsibilities should check their rental agreements or ask their landlords for clarification.
When do I have to shovel my snow?
You must shovel snow as soon as possible after it falls. Snow that falls between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm must be removed no later than 10:00 pm. Snow that falls between the hours of 7:00 pm and 7:00 am must be removed by 10:00 am.
Do I have to shovel on weekends?
Yes. You must shovel 7 days per week in the City of Chicago.
In what way should I shovel my sidewalks to be in compliance?
You must clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all of the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including any crosswalk ramps. Do not shovel the snow into the right-of-way, which includes transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind.
Can I be penalized for failing to shovel?
Yes, you can receive a citation for failure to shovel. The fines range from $50 to $500. The amount of the fine is on a per-case basis, as determined by an Administrative Hearings judge.
Click here to review the city's official snow removal brochure.
Click here to make an "uncleared snow on sidewalk" complaint via the city's 311 system.
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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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18th Police District Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 16
The 18th Police District Council will hold its next meeting at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 16, at the 18th Police District Headquarters (1160 N Larrabee Ave). Commander Chris Bielfeldt, or a representative, will be on-site to share public safety updates.
Click here to RSVP for in-person attendance.
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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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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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Take the OIG 2026 Annual Plan Community Feedback Survey
 The Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published two draft documents outlining details of proposed projects under consideration for 2026. You are invited to read the plans and take the Community Feedback Survey to inform OIG’s project priorities in 2026.
Click here for the survey.
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Download the OEMC App for Winter Weather Advisories
 The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is encouraging residents to be prepared for the Winter Season. For winter safety and preparedness, residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information, DSS Snowplow Tracker, and more. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and public safety information.
Residents can download the app through the Apple App Store and Google Play stores or visit Chicago.gov/OEMC.
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Chicago's Winter Overnight Parking Ban Now Underway
 The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) reminds motorists that the Chicago winter overnight parking ban began last week (overnight Sunday to Monday) and is in effect through April 1, 2026. The parking ban is enforced regardless of snow on 107 miles of main streets throughout the city during the hours of 3:00 am to 7:00 am.
Signage is permanently posted along the affected routes. DSS also posts flyers on cars parked on the streets affected by the parking ban as an additional reminder before restrictions begin.
Cars left parked on these designated roadways obstruct the path of snowplows and prevent routes from being fully plowed and salted when it snows. Violators of the parking ban will be towed and face a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and a storage fee of $25 per day. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 S Doty Ave) or 6 (701 N Sacramento Ave).
Chicagoans can visit chicagoshovels.org for a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm. Motorists can also visit chicagoshovels.org or call 311 to find out if their vehicle was towed due to the ban.
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Two-Inch Parking Ban
A separate snow related parking ban exists for another 500 miles of main streets and can be activated after there are at least two inches of snow on the street, no matter the time of day or the calendar date. While the 2” inch snow ban is not activated often, motorists who are parked there when it snows could receive a ticket or find that their vehicle has been relocated in order to facilitate snow clearing operations.
Both of these parking bans were implemented on designated arterial streets to prevent recurrences of problems that happened in 1967 and 1979 when Chicago came to a traffic standstill due to major snowstorms.
Here is a list of those rarely activated, yet existing routes in the 2nd Ward:
- E Grand Ave
- N Clybourn Ave
- N Halsted St
- N LaSalle Dr
- N Larrabee St
- W Chicago Ave
- W Division St
- W Fullerton Ave
- W North Ave
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18th District Holiday Toy Drive: Through December 10
 The 18th District is seeking donations for its holiday toy drive through this Wednesday, 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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December Activities at Near North Library
December is a busy month at the Near North Library! Their staff is hosting a variety of exciting events for kids, families, and adults, alongside their normal service to the neighborhood.
Click here to view their calendar of events.
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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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Holiday Sing-Along at Millennium Park: Friday, December 12
 Millennium Park is hosting a Holiday Sing-Along on Friday, December 12, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, free of charge. Carolers can gather at The Bean for an hour of holiday songs led by local music groups. Songbooks will be available on-site or can be found online by clicking here.
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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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