Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

April 10, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Public Safety Alert

The 24th District Police notified me of a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday at approximately 3:25 PM in the area of Claremont and Devon. Two victims were shot by an unknown suspect who fled in a white four-door sedan. Rifle casings were found at 6300 N Claremont and at 2335 W Devon.

Anyone with information should please call the Area 3 Bureau of Detectives at (312) 744-8263. This is an active police investigation, and I will update you with more information when it becomes available.

Arrests Made for Carjacking

The police have arrested another suspect in relation to a vehicular hijacking and battery that occurred in January in the 24th Police District. The suspect was arrested on March 31 and is believed to be one of the offenders who took a vehicle at gunpoint and battered two victims on the 7500 block of N Claremont Ave in the neighboring 49th Ward.

A first suspect was arrested in February and charged in the carjacking as well as a string of other alleged crimes, including two murders in the 19th and 2nd police districts.  

Thank you to the officers who made these arrests and acted to keep our streets safe.

Tax Day Is This Wednesday

As I am sure you all know, 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.

For information about how to access free preparation help for eligible Chicago residents, click here.

Yom HaShoah

This Tuesday, April 14 is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Corresponding to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, Yom HaShoah marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. It is a solemn and reflective day on which people are encouraged to remember the past and say never again to antisemitism, racism, and hatred.

Now, with antisemitism on the rise and hate rearing its ugly head across the nation, it is especially important to remember the lessons of the Holocaust and work towards a more enlightened future.

Block Party and Jumping Jack Application

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 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].

The City of Chicago will once again offer free bouncy houses this year to make your block party special. The online Jumping Jack application will open on Wednesday, April 15 at 9 AM. You will be able to apply online here.

Jumping Jacks are available for free on Saturdays and Sundays between May 23 and September 6. Learn more about the program here.

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

City Sticker Amnesty April

The City of Chicago announced a new amnesty program that will provide relief from expensive City Sticker fees and tickets. During the month of April, anyone may purchase a City Sticker from the City Clerk without having to pay late fees or back charges.

If you do not have a current City Sticker, make sure to buy one during April. To participate in Amnesty Month, visit one of the three Office of the City Clerk locations or one of the four Department of Finance locations. A map is available here. You can also purchase your sticker online at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com.

Amnesty Month will run from April 1 - 30, 2026. For more information, visit www.chicityclerk.com/AmnestyMonth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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