Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

January 23, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Extreme Cold Warning

We are in for severely cold weather over the next few days, with wind chills reaching as low as 40 below zero. The worst weather is today, but it is still expected to remain bitterly cold throughout the weekend.

This weather is extremely dangerous. Please take all necessary precautions to stay safe and warm, and remember to check on the well-being of friends, relatives, and neighbors who live alone, especially the elderly and those with disabilities.

If you are in need of a warm place to go, please call 311 to find a warming center near you or to access transportation to a shelter. Please stay safe and let me know if there is any way I can help.

Recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day

At City Council on Wednesday, I sponsored a resolution commemorating the upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which will mark 81 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp complex. It was a unique privilege to be able to call on Holocaust Survivor Yvonne Aronson to share her story with the Council. Hearing directly from a Survivor is a profound gift, and I am grateful beyond words that she was willing to share her experience with us.

Thank you to the representatives from the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center and the Jewish United Fund of Chicago for joining us at Council and for all they do to combat antisemitism and preserve the memory of the Holocaust. 

Holocaust Museum Tour

Also in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day – and in memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of the Nazis – I led a delegation of elected officials and government leaders to the Holocaust Museum’s temporary downtown location this week.

We were joined by Chicago aldermen, Chicago school board members, Cook County leadership, and Chicago city department heads to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust and the lessons it can teach us about combating antisemitism and hate of all kinds.

The Holocaust Museum is a truly immersive experience, and the delegation was able to interact directly with survivors through the one-of-a-kind hologram program, and watch their stories come to life through virtual reality.

At a time when antisemitism is spiking in Chicago and around the world, I felt it was vital for our government leadership to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and see where unchecked hatred leads.

Thank you to the Illinois Holocaust Museum for hosting us and to all of my colleagues who joined us. It was a truly powerful experience, and one that I hope will help make Chicago more inclusive and safe for Jewish citizens and all of our diverse communities.

Police CAPS Meetings

There will be two CAPS meetings this week, covering the area of the 50th Ward between Devon and Peterson. Both meetings will be held in person.

The CAPS meeting for Beat 2413, which stretches from Devon to Peterson and from Kedzie to Ridge, will be held on Tuesday, January 27 from 7 PM to 8 PM. The meeting will be held in person at Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson.

The CAPS meeting for Beat 1711, which encompasses Peterson Park, will be held on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in person at Mayfair Church, 5020 N. Pulaski Road.

These events are great opportunities to meet the officers who patrol your community and discuss safety concerns directly with the police and your neighbors. For more information, please call the 24th District CAPS Office at (312) 744-6321 or the 17th District CAPS Office at (312) 742-4588. Find all the upcoming local CAPS meetings at  .

India Republic Day

This Monday, January 26, is India Republic Day. This is one of India’s three national holidays and is an important event for the 50th Ward’s Indian population. I want to wish everyone who celebrates it a happy and festive holiday!  

Crossing Guard Hero

We have a new local celebrity! Huge congratulations to Joe Sass, the incredible CPS crossing guard at Jamieson Elementary School, for truly going above and beyond during yesterday’s water main break. When frigid floodwaters covered the street, Joe didn’t hesitate—he literally carried students across, keeping them dry and secure.

Watch the heroic moment here:

This is the very definition of a neighborhood hero. I am grateful for Joe and for all of our dedicated crossing guards across Chicago Public Schools who look out for our kids every single day!

Welcome to Zack Thompson!

You will see a new face at the 50th Ward Office. I want to welcome Zack Thompson to the staff!

Zack is a recent graduate from UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Administration with a degree in Public Policy. He is a fourth generation Chicagoan and has experience with various local governmental and non-profit organizations. I look forward to working with him!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Holiday Lights Recycling

Do you have non-working strings of holiday lights? Recycle them at the 50th Ward Office instead of throwing them out! We are proudly partnering once again with Reduce Waste Chicago to collect holiday lights through the end of January. Drop yours off during normal business hours at 2949 W. Devon.

Last year, we were able to divert thousands of pounds of lights from landfills, and this year we are looking to do even more! Separate lights from any other decor, garland, or wreaths before dropping them off and avoid plastic bags or cardboard packaging. Always try replacing bulbs and fuses first before recycling your lights.

High School Election Judges Needed

Chicago is looking for high school students to serve as Election Judges for the upcoming Primary Election. You can learn about the voting process and help defend democracy, while getting paid!

The Student Judge program gives high school students the opportunity to serve as Election Judges at polling places across the City of Chicago. Students, like adults, are paid for their training and Election Day services. For elections that fall during a school day, students receive a full-day excused absence per Illinois law, if the day is not already a school holiday.

The application deadline is Tuesday, February 3. To learn more about eligibility or to apply, click . If you are bilingual, make sure to notify the Board of Elections, especially if you speak Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Polish, Korean, or Tagalog.

For any questions, contact [email protected] or (312) 269-7985.

Skate In the Parks

Enjoy a fun winter of skating in the parks! The Warren Park ice rink, and outdoor ice rinks across the city, are now open for the season. Pre-registration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions. Register online .

Admission is free, and skates are available for rental. For questions, please contact Warren Park at (773) 761-8663. For more information and a list of all ice rink locations, visit the Park District website .

Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program

Applications for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for tax year 2025 are now available on the Cook County Treasurer’s Office website. The deferral program allows income-eligible property owners aged 65 or older to "borrow" money from the state to cover their property taxes. This program operates as a loan with a simple annual interest rate of 3%, providing financial relief to eligible seniors. Applications must be submitted before March 1.

The program allows deferring up to $7,500 annually in property taxes. If the bill is greater, the homeowner is responsible for paying the difference. Deferred taxes are paid when the property is sold, or upon the death of the participant.

Find more information about the program at the Cook County Treasurer’s website . The Treasurer's Office has also created a to explain the program.

Primary Election Update

A Midterm Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 17. Voter registration for the election is currently open, and Vote By Mail applications are now being accepted.

You can register to vote , in person on Election Day, at an early voting site, or . for more information about registering to vote.

Vote By Mail applications are now available online . The Board of Elections will begin mailing Vote By Mail ballots in February and you will be able to return your ballot by mail or using one of the secure drop boxes that will be in place at every early voting site.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not automatically receive a new vote by mail ballot unless you are already on the permanent vote by mail roster. If you want to vote by mail and are not on the permanent roster, you must apply again now. To join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster, click .

For more information about the upcoming election visit .

Stay Warm This Winter

Now that the weather is getting colder and winter is here, several programs are open to help residents pay their heating and electric bills. Visit to find a program that helps you. For assistance applying, visit a local .

Programs now available include:

1. Heating and Electricity Assistance – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides a one-time benefit toward a household’s heating and/or electric bills.

2. Cash Assistance for Renters – Provides a cash benefit to renters whose heating costs are included in their rent.

3. Furnace Assistance – Supports Cook County homeowners with free furnace repair or replacement if their heating systems are not working properly.

4. Water Assistance – Helps eligible Chicago homeowners receive a monthly discount on their water bills.

The programs are managed by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). For more information, visit . For flyers in multiple languages, click .

Winter Parking Restrictions

The City’s winter parking restrictions are now officially in effect until April 1. Nothing has changed this year. The 50th Ward does not have any overnight parking ban routes, but we do have several streets where parking is prohibited when there are at least two inches of snow on the ground. 

If you live on a main street, please check for posted signs and avoid parking when it snows, so critical routes can be fully plowed and salted. For more information, visit the City’s snow command website . For a complete list of parking ban streets throughout the city (all in other Wards), click .

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 , 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 (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 . For any questions, call (312) 744-3653 or email [email protected].

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Owl Walk at Park 538

Northtown Garden Society Event

Community Development Grants