Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

March 27, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Honda Airbag Thefts

My office received reports of broken windshields and airbags being stolen in our neighborhood last night. I spoke with the police commander and, unfortunately, this is a new citywide trend that has impacted communities across Chicago. So far, the thieves have been targeting specifically Hondas.

The police are investigating and ask any victims to please call and make a police report so they can identify where this is occurring. If you have any video footage of the thefts, it is especially important that you call the Police CAPS Office as it will aid in their investigation.

You can reach the 24th District CAPS Office at (312) 744-6321 or [email protected]. Learn more about how to protect your car here.

Shred Day and Meds Disposal - March 29

Join us this Sunday, March 29 for a free paper shredding event in the 50th Ward. The event will be from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Republic Bank parking lot, 2720 W. Devon. Due to limited space in the shredding truck, early arrival is highly recommended.

Bring your sensitive documents to be securely destroyed. 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.

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

Street Sweeping Begins April 1

Street sweeping will soon begin for the season. The Department of Streets and Sanitation will start cleaning the streets this year on Wednesday, April 1. Sweeping runs 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 also find a printable schedule for each individual sweeping section on the 50th Ward website at 50thward.org/sweeping.

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

Veterans Resource Day - April 1

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, April 1 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!

Beat 2412 Police CAPS Meeting

The 24th District Police will be holding a CAPS meeting this week for Beat 2412. The meeting will be held in person at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western, this Wednesday, April 1 at 7 PM.

Beat 2412 stretches from Pratt to Devon and from Kedzie to Ridge. The CAPS meeting is a great opportunity to meet the officers who patrol your community and discuss safety concerns directly with the police and your neighbors.

For more information, please contact the 24th District CAPS Office at (312) 744-6321 or [email protected]. Find all the upcoming local CAPS meetings at 50thward.org/police.

Live 77 Initiative

It was wonderful to meet with Jahmal Cole of My Block, My Hood, My City! Jahmal is going through an ambitious program to spend one month living in each of Chicago’s 77 community areas so he can highlight each neighborhood’s strengths. This month, he is in West Ridge.

My Block, My Hood, My City is a Chicago-based nonprofit that empowers underserved youth through mentorship, educational experiences, and exposure to opportunities beyond their neighborhoods. Learn more about it here.

You can learn more about the Live 77 initiative at www.formyblock.org/live77 or by joining the West Ridge Civic Energy Workshop on Saturday, March 28 at 4 PM at Let's Crepe (2607 W Peterson Ave). Register here.

Statement on the Resignation of CCHR Commissioner Nancy Andrade

You may have seen in the news that Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) Commissioner Nancy Andrade resigned amid growing frustration over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s failure to address rising antisemitism in Chicago.

Commissioner Andrade has been a strong advocate for the Jewish community, alongside all of our city’s diverse communities, and her departure is a serious loss at a time when anti-Jewish hate is increasing.

A recent CCHR report found a 58% rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes. In response, the commission held a hearing on antisemitism and issued recommendations on how to curb this problem, but the Mayor’s office attempted to downplay the findings and has not acted on the proposals.

I want to thank Commissioner Andrade for everything she has done for our city and all of our diverse communities. I also want to urge the Mayor to appoint a successor who will work constructively with Chicago’s mainstream Jewish community and demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing antisemitism.

Governor’s Pre-Passover Seder

It was an honor to attend a meaningful Pre-Passover Seder hosted by Governor JB Pritzker.  I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my people's unique sense of history, resilience, and community alongside leaders from across Illinois as we prepare for Passover.

Passover begins on Wednesday evening. Wishing all of my friends and neighbors in the 50th Ward a Chag Pesach Sameach – a very happy and healthy Passover!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Paper Shredding and Meds Disposal

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.

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.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions or in one, streamlined paper application available here.

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.

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.

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.

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

City Sticker Amnesty Month

Northtown Garden Society Event

Beat Facilitator Call for Volunteers

24th District Police Youth Program

17th District Police Youth Program