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48th WARD NEWS: JANUARY 15, 2026
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2025 YEAR-IN-REVIEW TOWN HALL
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- When: Wednesday, January 28 from 5:30-6:30pm
- Where: VIRTUAL
- Register .
It's that time of year again! Join us for our 2025 year-in-review town hall to reflect on everything we accomplished as a community this year. While we plan ot hold this presentation virtually and record it, we also want to take it on the road! If you'd like us to present in person at your org's next meeting, reach out to [email protected].
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Submit Requests and Stay Informed with 311 and ChiStreetWork
For non-emergency city service requests, file a 311 report , through the , or by dialing 3-1-1. You can also search for and follow along with local city projects at
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Last Chance to Recycle Holiday Trees!
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, is hosting our annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program at 27 locations throughout the city including Margate Park in the 48th Ward (4921 N Marine). Chicago residents are welcome to drop off their natural holiday trees inside the designated tree recycling corral at each location from 6am to 11pm. Please remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands, and plastic bags from your tree before placing it in the corral. Learn more .
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Apply to Serve on Your Local School Council
Apply to become a candidate in the 2026 Local School Council (LSC) election by January 20, 2026 and make a difference in our community! Parents, community members, staff, and students who want to strengthen our community by strengthening our schools are encouraged to run. Our 48th Ward CPS schools include Hayt, Swift, Senn, Peirce, Goudy, and McCutcheon. Learn more about the LSC Elections . For more information about Peirce specifically, see their flyer:
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Pick up a 48th Ward 2026 Calendar
Come by the office at 1129 W Bryn Mawr whenever we're open to pick up a magnetic 2026 calendar with all of this year's city holidays. These calendars are free and will be distributed on first-come-first-served basis while supplies last.
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Recycle Non-Working Holiday Lights at the 48th Ward Office
Drop off your non-working holiday lights at the 48th ward office (1129 W Bryn Mawr) . Reduce Waste Chicago will recycle them safely. Be sure to separate lights from other decorations before dropping them off. The last day to drop off lights is January 31, 2026.
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Free English and Healthcare Classes with CMAA
Chinese Mutual Aid Association is hosting free English classes, English tutoring, and healthcare classses now through the end of March. To sign up for English tutoring, email [email protected] or call 773-784-2900. To sign up for healthcare classes, email [email protected].
CMAA is also seeking volunteer tutors to help with English instruction. Email [email protected] to sign up!
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March 2026 Primary Election Information
Primary elections are right around the corner. for everything you need to know about voting this March, including:
- Registering to Vote
- Voting by Mail
- Early Voting
- Working as an Early Voting Official or Election Judge
- and more!
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SNAP Eligibility Volunteer Programs
One of the recent changes to SNAP eligibility is an 80 hr per month work/volunteer requirement for most adults ages 18-64. We recently partnered with Care for Friends to provide a training on how to establish a volunteer program to help SNAP recipients meet this requirement.
If you are an organization looking to host volunteer opportunities for SNAP recipients, see the toolkit . If you would like to add your organization to a list of places accepting volunteers, email [email protected].
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities in the 48th Ward in order to meet SNAP eligibility requirements, there are a number of fantastic organizations seeking volunteers including CMAA, Centro Romero, Care for Real, Care for Friends, Edgewater Mutual Aid, the 48th Ward Office, and more. Tune into future newsletters where we'll continue to share opportunities.
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48th Ward Office Closed Monday, January 19
The 48th ward office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. While we are away, please contact 311 for non-emergency requests. In the case of an emergency, contact 911. See the full list of City of Chicago holidays . We also include these closures on our .
Garbage Collection Schedule
During the holidays, garbage collection schedules may shift by 24-48 hours. During weeks with city holidays, put your bins out 24 hours ahead of your scheduled pick up day to avoid delays.
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Applications Open!
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program helps property owners repair their sidewalks at discounted rates by sharing the cost with the City. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for additional discounts. Apply via 311 through the app, over the phone, or at .
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Mutli-Chamber Happy Hour Networking
- When: Wednesday, January 21 from 5:30-7pm
- Where: Hopleaf (5148 N Clark)
- Register .
Join the Uptown, Edgewater, and Andersonville Chambers of commerce for a multi-chamber networking event! Have fun and build your networking by connecting with business owners and other professionals from across the 48th ward at Hopleaf. This event is open to all neighbors.
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Hahn Liquor Approved to move to 1355 W Devon
Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth has approved the request to lift the package goods liquor moratorium on the south side of Devon between Glenwood and Lakewood so that Hahn Liquor can relocate from 1410 W Devon in the 49th ward to 1355 W Devon.
The applicant went through the 48th Ward engagement process and received support from the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and ENN-NEON block club. 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden also wrote a letter in support of the applicant’s request to move to 1355 W Devon. Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth is committed to putting the moratorium back in place as requested by the community after a minimum of one year.
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Emanuel Congregation Design Meeting Hosted by Fern Hill
- When: Thursday, January 22 at 6pm
- Where: Emanuel Congregation (5959 N Sheridan) & Zoom
- Register .
Emanuel Congregation will be hosting a design meeting for their members regarding updated development plans for 5959 N Sheridan. Representatives from the development consultant Fern Hill, project architect Eckenhoff Saunders, and traffic engineer KLOA will be available for a Q&A session prior to the conclusion of the meeting. The in-person meeting is open to congregation members. For transparency, members of the public are welcome to observe the meeting virtually via Zoom. A recording of the meeting will be made available upon request.
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Development Feedback Opportunity: 1527 W Edgewater
Feedback is open for a proposed zoning change from RS-3 to RM-4.5 at 1527 W Edgewater to build a four-unit residential building. The existing structure—a vacant, former house of worship—will be demolished. .
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Apply for a Community Development Grant
Community Development Grants for up to $250,000 are now open! Apply by February 13. Funded by the Economic Development Bond, this reimbursement grant can be used for construction or renovation costs for your business. Learn more online . Community Development Grants support small businesses, nonprofits and property owners for local commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects.
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New Bike Racks at Northside Catholic Academy
We have new bike racks at Northside Catholic Academy! As we continue to work with neighbors and CDOT to organize our streets, we are seeing an increase in families biking to school. We have requests for additional bike racks from most of our schools, and are installing them as the requests come in! Organizing our streets is a top priority for our office, making commuting safer for all users whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist.
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Loyola University Campus Plan Community Survey
Last year, Loyola invited neighborhood communities to share their priorities and perspectives about the future of Rogers Park and Edgewater. The campus planning team keeps neighborhood priorities in mind as the future of campus takes shape. This survey revisits key questions to see what’s changed and how Loyola can continue strengthening its relationship with the wider community. Share your feedback by January 31.
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Thanks for Coming to the First 2026 Edgewater Indoor Market!
The Edgewater Indoor Market is back and better than ever for its 2026 season. On select Saturdays this winter, you can shop local businesses at the Broadway Armory. This past Saturday, 48th ward businesses like Transistor Chicago, Loaves & Witches, and DMA Apothecary were among the 70 vendors who came out to sell treats and trinkets and to meet neighbors. Check out WGN's recent story on the Edgewater Indoor Market's second-year success . We hope to see you at the next Indoor Market on January 31! See all dates .
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New Edgewater Placemaking Banners
Have you seen the new Edgewater banners hanging around the neighborhood? Shout-out to the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce for bringing this pop of color to our streets!
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20th District Camera Registration Event
- When: Saturday, January 17 from 9am-11am
- Where: 1100 W Bryn Mawr
- Learn more online .
The City of Chicago has a free and voluntary camera registration program! Come to this event to register your business' private secruity camera and connect with other public safety resources for businesses.
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CCPSA - ICE & CPD Hearing Recap
The held a meeting after 2000 petition signatures were gathered by the community. For nearly three hours, the Commission heard over 40+ speakers talk about concerns related to ICE/CPD involvement. Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth gave public comment about the concerns she has around . The CCPSA continues to work on this inquiry and encourages people to attend their regularly scheduled meetings in January and February. Save the dates for Thursday, January 29 and Thursday, February 26. See CCPSA's full public meeting schedule .
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Environmental Town Hall with MWRD
- When: Wednesday, January 21 from 12-1pm
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
- Register .
Join the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) for an environmental town hall to learn about coordinated, practical solutions for lead-free homes, clean water, and flood-resilient neighborhoods in Cook County.
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Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth Co-Sponsors Resolution Honoring Rapid Response Volunteers
Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth cosponsored a December 2025 resolution honoring the many volunteers in Chicago who have organized at the community level to defend their neighbors from ICE. The resolution acknowledges that immigration agents have detained thousands of Chicagoans without warrant or probably cause, affirms the first amendment rights of protestors and activists, and thanks rapid response volunteers for their “incredible courage and integrity in the face of intimidation and brutality.” Read the full resolution .
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Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth Cosponsors Resolution for Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women
In fall 2025, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth cosponsored and championed calling for the creation of the Chicago-Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women. The resolution was put forward in response to alarming new data that shows a sharp rise in domestic-related shootings and murders, and brings together multiple levels of government and community organizations to form a coordinated response to the crisis of violence against women and children. The resolution passed in November and the Task Force held its first meeting on January 7, 2026.
For more information, see the and save the date for the next meeting on February 4 at 10am. For immediate assistance, you can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338. See the full resolution .
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Know Your Rights Signs & Whistles Available at the 48th Ward Office
We encourage our neighbors to continue visiting our office at 1129 West Bryn Mawr to pick up whistles, Know Your Rights window signs, flyers, cards, and more. If you would like to pick up any of our printed matierals in bulk to distribute in the community, let us know by sending an email to [email protected] and we can prepare them for you. for additional resources and links to print your own flyers and signs at home.
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City of Chicago Files Lawsuit Challenging Illegal Actions by Federal Immigration Agents
On January 12, the City of Chicago joined Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to file a federal lawsuit alleging the Trump administration has overseen unlawful actions, abusive enforcement tactics, and repeated rights violations committed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during their militarized immigration campaign in Chicago. In partnership with the Attorney General’s office, the City is moving swiftly to hold the federal government accountable for its reckless overreach which has put families at risk, undermined public safety efforts, and sparked chaos and fear within communities across the city. Read more on our .
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2025-2026 Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP)
The Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) provides direct assistance to owner-occupied properties in the City of Chicago, helping homeowners repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating systems. Qualified contractors perform the work at no cost to the homeowner with funding provided through the Department of Housing (DOH). The assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more .
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CHECK OUT THE 48th WARD CALENDAR
Never miss an event! See for more exciting things happening in the ward. Fill out to have your own event listed.
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WHERE IN THE WARD IS LENI?
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The 48th and 46th wards are committed to collaborative care for our houseless neighbors. Earlier this week, to offer them housing and other essential services. We work with our colleagues at the Department of Family & Support Services, Chicago Park District, Department of Streets & Sanitation, and nonprofits to ensure resources are getting to those who need it most. Through this collaboration, we have moved 31 people living in tents in the 48th ward into permanent housing 2025, and transitioned 17 others into shelters. You can read more about the 48th ward’s approach to addressing homelessness in the 48th ward on our blog: .
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Leni and team joined 48th ward neighbors from Strong Towns Chicago, Abundant Housing Illinois, Sierra Club Chicago, CNU Illinois, and Chicago Growth Project for a Holiday Party. Thanks for the invitation! To invite Leni to your next event go to: .
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Thousands of 48th ward neighbors gathered to send a strong message: ICE OUT FOR GOOD! For statements from Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenwoth on ICE, .
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Over the weekend, Leni spotted Communications Manager Audrey and her friend Angie through the window of Audrey found a birthday gift for a friend complete with vintage wrapping paper!
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Did you know that the 48th ward has a 130 year old club along the lakefront, ? Leni met with the new General Manager & COO of Saddle & Cycle, Susannah Miller. Each year, Saddle & Cycle hosts a fantastic 4th of July fireworks show enjoyed by 48th ward neighbors.
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