Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

July 2, 2026

Wishing a very happy Independence Day to all of my friends and neighbors in the 50th Ward!

Happy holiday!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Independence Day Office Closure

Happy 4th of July! The 50th Ward office will be closed on Friday in commemoration of Independence Day. We will reopen on Monday, July 6 at 9 AM. If you need assistance with any City Services while the office is closed, please call 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov.

Ditch the Illegal Fireworks

We are all looking for ways to relax and blow off steam during the summer, but please remember that fireworks are illegal in Illinois. Not only can unexpected explosions scare unsuspecting neighbors, but fireworks are a major source of preventable injuries.

Fireworks can be very frightening to neighbors, especially those with PTSD and other underlying conditions. Pets often find fireworks terrifying as well. This time of year, our local parks are frequently left littered with discarded fireworks and debris, forcing volunteers and Park District staff to clean up massive piles of garbage.

Please leave the fireworks to the professionals and find another way to enjoy the summer. If we all work together, everyone can have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Small Business Improvement Grants - Lincoln Ave TIF

Local small business owners can now apply for funding to improve their facilities. The City of Chicago will accept Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications from business owners in the Lincoln Avenue TIF until Thursday, July 30 at 5 PM.

The SBIF program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to help owners repair or remodel their facilities and improve their businesses. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply. Grants up to $150,000 are available for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties.

Examples of what SBIF grants can pay for include:

• Exterior renovations and repairs, including new windows, doors and roofs

• Interior remodeling, including framing, drywall, flooring and ceilings

• Tuck-pointing and masonry repairs

• HVAC, electrical and plumbing system upgrades

• Structural components of new signage

• ADA improvements

• Project-related architectural and construction management fees

This round of funding is only available for businesses within the Lincoln Avenue TIF. To find out if your business is eligible, use the SBIF Locator Tool.

For more information about the SBIF program, visit chicago.gov/sbif. For any questions, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Lake View Township Property Tax Appeals

Lake View 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.

Lake View Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is south of Devon and east of Western. The appeals period is open until Monday, July 13. 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 Cook County Commissioner Morita’s Office at (312) 603-6383.

Free Summer Meals at CPS

School is out, but Chicago Public Schools are still here to provide nutritious meals over summer break. Free meals are available throughout the summer at any CPS school where summer programs take place. All children up to the age of 18 may receive free meals. ID is not required but children must be present and meals must be consumed onsite.

Find your nearest meal distribution site here. For questions about summer meals, call (800) 359-2163 or text FOOD or visit WeGotYouIllinois.org.

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.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program