Celebrations & Appreciations

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Local Author Hosting Book Discussion at Rogers Park Library on September 14th!

Join the Rogers Park Library for a discussion of the acclaimed book, "Freedom Quest: A Love Story," by local author Debora Masterson. The discussion will take place on Monday, September 14, from 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm at the Rogers Park branch library, 6907 N. Clark. Debora Masterson will be in attendance live to answer any of your questions!

This book follows a gifted musician named Michael through the Southern California music scene of the 1960s-80s. A cautionary tale about artistic integrity, the pursuit of stardom, and the cost of chasing dreams. From nearly landing a Capitol Records deal and fronting his band Freedom Quest to losing the love of his life, Grace, Michael's story captures the raw reality of living and breathing music. 

For more information about the book and the author: An Interview with Debora Masterson.

Ward Updates

There Will be an Increased 24th District Police Presence During Holiday Season

Join the 49th Ward Youth Leadership Council

Jarvis Square Oktoberfest on Sunday

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day on Camino Clark

Submit a Tree Planting Request

Request a new tree to be planted now through September 27th!

Unfortunately, our neighborhood lost many trees due to the number of torrential rains and severe storms this summer. To restore our canopy, the 49th Ward is working closely with the Bureau of Forestry to plant new trees across the ward.

Please complete this form to request a new tree to be planted. Requests will be accepted now through September 27th. Please note that completing the form does not guarantee that a tree will be planted.

St. Ignatius Campus Community Survey Updates

49th Ward Shred-a-Thon September 13th

The 49th Ward annual Shred-a-Thon event is back! Join us on Sunday, September 13th from 10 am-2 pm in the Byline Bank Parking lot at the northwest corner of Clark and Morse (6950 N Clark St) to have your documents shredded and recycled. You may bring a maximum of two boxes of documents per person.

Also, new this year, we will have electronics recycling! You may also bring one box of electronics for recycling in addition to two boxes of documents to be shredded. All electronics donated will have their data completely and securely erased.

Acceptable electronics include:

• Computers + Laptops
• Servers and Networking Equipment
• Monitors + TVs
• Printers + Scanners
• Phones and mobile devices
• Circuit boards and components
• Hard drives 
   

Share Your Input on a New Mural in Jarvis Square

Jarvis Square will soon be home to a beautiful new mural design by local artist Oscar Joyo! Oscar and his team want your input on how they can make this mural the best representation of Jarvis Square and Rogers Park.

To complete the survey, visit bit.ly/JarvisMural. Learn more about Oscar Joyo and view his portfolio at oscarjoyoart.com.

Free Smoke Detectors and Wheel Clubs Available in the 49th Ward Office

Infrastructure Updates

Green Alley Slated for Construction between Rogers, Wolcott, Chase, and Honore

• Permeable pavement (asphalt, concrete, or pavers) that allows stormwater to filter through the pavement and drain into the ground instead of collecting on hard surfaces. This can reduce garage and basement flooding.
• Catch basins connected with a perforated pipe and installed in a retention trench to capture water and funnel it into the ground.
• High-albedo pavement, a lighter-colored surface that reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it, helping reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Recycled materials, such as concrete aggregate, slag, and recycled tire rubber. 
   

Estes Water Main Replacement Updates

The Department of Water Management (DWM) is installing a new water main in the 49th Ward on Estes between Ridge and Clark. Excavation of the north side of Estes (westbound lane, between Ridge and Damen) began on August 11th. Construction will only take place during the week. Only in cases of emergency will construction be done on a weekend.

This past week, contractors replaced private drains, sewers, and catch basins on Estes between Damen and Wolcott. Next week, contractors will begin holding lead service line replacement preconstruction meetings with individual homeowners. 

No lead service line work, water service interruptions, or restoration work is scheduled for this week. The Department of Water Management (DWM) will relay any changes to our office. 

"No Parking: signs will be posted on both sides of Estes from Ridge to Wolcott between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (excluding weekends). Parking will be allowed outside of work hours and on weekends.

A partial lane closure remains in effect on the northern side of Estes (westbound lane, between Ridge and Damen). Local traffic may be limited during work hours due to staging of trucking and the movements of other machinery needed to perform the work. One lane will always remain open in each direction during construction hours for buses and regular traffic. With the lane closure in effect, local traffic will have limited access. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained for the duration of the closure.

"No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of the street during construction hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM) where work is being performed. Parking will be allowed outside of work hours and on weekends. All signage will be placed 48 hours before work begins and will be limited to the block where work is actively taking place or being staged. Crews will work to preserve as much parking as possible. "No Parking" signs will only be posted where crews are actively working and the parking restrictions will move along as the crew makes progress in the project. 

Residents in the affected address range (2040 - 1790 W. Estes Ave) should enter their contact information in the survey here. We receive weekly updates about this project and would like to relay information that may directly affect residents on this block.

Please contact our office with any inquiries at [email protected] or call 773-338-5796.

Upcoming Street Grinding & Resurfacing Schedule

Neighbors, please be advised of the upcoming street grinding and resurfacing schedule for the 49th Ward, provided by the Department of Transportation.  Please be aware of all orange CDOT signs in the public way to avoid being ticketed or towed. 

Street resurfacing schedule:

• Arthur between Bosworth and Glenwood (1400-1530 W. Arthur) - Scheduled for 9/14/26 (pending AT&T manhole repair)
• Loyola between Lakewood and Glenwood (1300-1400 W. Loyola)- Scheduled for 9/15/26 (pending DWM repair)
• Wallen between Ravenswood and Ashland (1600-1800 W. Wallen)- Scheduled for 9/16/26
• Paulina between Juneway and Jonquil (7700-7764 N. Paulina)- Scheduled for 9/18/26
• Hermitage between North Shore and Pratt (6700-6800 N. Hermitage) - Scheduled for 9/17/26 (pending DWM repair)

Loyola Divvy Station Temporarily Relocated

Community Engagement

Jarvis Square Artisan Market September 12th

Upcoming Rogers Park Branch Library Events

• September 5th, September 28th, and October 26th:
  Open Mic
• September 9th, October 14th, and November 11th: 
  Song Club
   

Upcoming Leone Beach Park Advisory Council Events

• Saturday, September 12, 8:00 a.m. (rain date September 13th):
  Fall Migration Bird Walk
  (Leone Beach Park, 1222 W. Touhy)

Next Weird Book Club Meeting: September 16th

Do you like science fiction, fantasy, horror, or other just plain strange books? Meet fellow weird readers to discuss strange and speculative fiction at Weird Book Club, a 21+ book discussion group that meets at Rogers Park Social on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 

This month, the Weird Book Club is reading Blob by Maggie Su. Encountering a gelatinous pile of goo outside a bar one night, protagonist Vi decides to take it home and...mold it into her perfect partner! What could go wrong?

Reserved book club copies are available to check out at the Rogers Park Branch information desk, while supplies last. Many titles are also available as eBooks or eAudiobooks on the Hoopla and/or Libby app.

11th Annual Howard Beach Bonfire September 18th

Windy City Sportsfest September 19th

Goodman Theatre's GeNarrations Classes Return to Willye White Park this Fall

Registration for the upcoming sessions of GeNarrations, led by the Goodman Theatre and teaching artist Zahra Baker, opens on September 1st!  Classes take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, September 22nd through November 4th at Willye White Park, 1610 W. Howard.

To sign up for a class and learn more, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Registration. 

Jazz Night at L'Angolto Italiano September 19th

Sentieri Italiani and L’Angolo Italiano have collaborated to host a Jazz Night on September 19th from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Enjoy small bites and beverages accompanied by John Roothaan on Piano, Charles Jaffe on Drums, and Lou Marini on Bass. 

Tickets can be purchased via Zelle -  [email protected] - by September 14th. Sentieri member tickets are $70.00, and non-member tickets are $80.00.

Senior Movie Day at the 24th District September 23rd

Election Protection Fest - 9/26

Fall Orchard Celebration at Triangle Park September 26

Sign Up for No School Day Camps at Culture of Safety

Connect Your Block Club with the 24th District

The 24th District Chicago Police Department’s Office of Community Policing is reaching out to current, former, and future block clubs throughout the 24th District community. Block clubs provide residents with an organized way to communicate concerns, share information, access resources, and work together on solutions that strengthen their neighborhood.

Current block clubs are asked to confirm their leadership and contact information and remain involved in neighborhood outreach, beat meetings, community events, and follow-up efforts. Former or inactive block clubs are encouraged to reconnect. 

Residents interested in starting a new block club are also welcome. You do not need to have everything organized before contacting the 24th District. We can help guide you through the beginning steps and connect you with available district and community resources.

Please provide or confirm the following information:

• Contact name
• Block club name or proposed name
• Block boundaries or location
• Telephone number and email address
• Beat of residence
• Current status: active, inactive, reorganizing, or new
• Assistance or resources needed

Glenwood Sunday Market Open

Events at the Rogers Park Branch Library

Rogers Park Arts

The Factory Theatre Presents: Advance Man: Part One of the Honeycomb Trilogy

Astronaut Bill Cooke returns from the first manned mission to Mars bearing secrets and illicit cargo. Now his wife and teenage children are all that stand between Bill and a shocking action that will alter not only their lives, but all of humanity. ADVANCE MAN is the first part of Mac Rogers’ epic "The Honeycomb Trilogy," three stand-alone plays set in the same universe chronicling a conflict both intimate and global that will redefine the nature of the human race.

In this heart-pounding first play of Strawdog’s ambitious two-year project, playwright Mac Rogers tackles xenophobia, climate change, and family drama with his distinctive blend of sci-fi and horror.

Enjoy Part One of the Honeycomb Trilogy at The Factory Theater at 1623 W Howard through September 27th. Tickets are available online at strawdog.org.

Lifeline Theatre Presents: A Wrinkle in Time

Ever since her father vanished under mysterious circumstances, Meg Murray’s life has been spiraling out of control. But one dark and stormy night, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which appear with a promise to help rescue him from the monstrous darkness that threatens the universe.

Join Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, their pal Calvin, and a host of extraterrestrial friends and foes as they journey into the heart of a terrible evil in the hope of reuniting a fragmented family.

A Wrinkle in Time previews at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood, on Friday, September 11. The show will open on September 14th and run through October 18th. Learn more and purchase tickets online.

6311 Arts Presents: Portrait Mode and  Trying to Keep it Together

6311 Arts Gallery has a new show! “Portait Mode” features artists Mr. Brooks,  Alejandra Guerrero, Hector Hernandez, Eddwin Meyers, Harry Sudman, and Adrian Zavala. “Trying to Keep it all Together” features Bryan Eaton. The shows will run from August 29th through October 17th. These showings will be accompanied by Sculpture by Kara James and Video by DePaul Experimental Film.

For more information, visit 6311 Arts' website.

The Factory Theater Presents: Muffed

Youth Shine in 49

Apply for After School Matters' Fall Programs

Reduced Transit Fares for Students

No-Cost Vaccines Available for Students

VFW Scholarship Opportunities

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is offering two scholarships for students entering sixth through twelfth grade!

The Patriot’s Pen scholarship is a $5,000 award for middle schoolers and requires a 300-400 word essay on the subject “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”. The Voice of Democracy Scholarship is a $35,000 award for high schoolers requiring a 3-5 minute voice essay on the same topic.

Apply by October 31st! 

Need to Know Info

U.S. Small Business Administration Offering Low-Interest Loans to Residents & Businesses Impacted by July 27th Storms

Receive Free Vital Records on September 26th

The federal administration is escalating efforts to create citizenship lists and make it harder for people to register and vote.

The City of Chicago and Cook County are partnering to help residents get free certified birth certificates and register to vote—all in one place. Having these documents in hand can help Chicagoans be prepared for new barriers the federal government may try to put between them and the ballot box.

Register for free today, get your documents, and make sure you’re ready to exercise your right to vote.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 pm
Location: Manning Library, 6 S. Hoyne

You must bring one of the following forms of valid identification to qualify:

• State-issued ID
• State-issued Driver's License
• United States-issued passport

Check for Missing Property Tax Exemptions

Property tax exemptions are savings that can lower your property tax bill. Check the bottom left-hand corner of your Second Installment Property Tax Bill for exemption deductions. Most homeowners are eligible for the Homeowner Exemption, and most senior homeowners over the age of 65 are eligible for the Senior Exemption. You can learn about exemptions on the Assessor’s website.

If you are missing an exemption that you believe you are eligible for, apply for a Certificate of Error to correct your property tax bill. Submit your online application immediately to have your missing exemptions applied.

Art is Labor Initiative

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) launched the second phase of the “Art is Labor” initiative, which provides educational and resource-sharing programs developed with and for Chicago’s creative workers. Through December 2026, creative workers and their employers can attend events, film screenings held in partnership with the Chicago Film Office, and webinars on the City of Chicago’s labor laws, connecting participants with organizational partners across the creative sector who are advancing worker rights through their own programs and initiatives.  

The 2026 “Art is Labor” programming will be updated regularly with new information and events until the end of the year. DCASE, BACP, and 2nd Story, a Chicago-based storytelling collective, will co-host two workshops in October addressing disability and creative worker rights. One webinar will be designed for individual creative workers and the second for employers of creative workers. Workshops will highlight resources that are available via the City of Chicago and from other organizations. Updates and additional information on programming will be available at Chicago.gov/CreativeWork. 

Neighborhood Market Grant Application Now Open

Learn More about Becoming a District Councilor

Apply to Become a CAPS Community Leader

The Chicago Police Department is seeking community members who are passionate about serving their neighborhoods and working collaboratively to build trust, strengthen community partnerships, and support safer, stronger communities across Chicago.

Your involvement can help the department:
 

• Build relationships that last
• Address neighborhood concerns and share ideas
• Strengthen communication between residents and law enforcement
• Connect residents with community resources and opportunities
• Encourage positive community involvement
• Develop solutions through collaboration and problem-solving
• Create safer and stronger neighborhoods together

Apply for the Community Engagement Response Team's (CERT) Fall Training Program

The City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) invites residents to register for the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) training program for Fall 2026.

This volunteer program was developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985 and implemented nationally by FEMA in 1993. CERT members train for a minimum 27 hours of classroom and 3 hours hands-on practical skills in the following areas before becoming a registered volunteer:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire safety & utility controls
• Light search and rescue
• Team organization
• Disaster psychology
• Terrorism response
• Disaster medical operations

Upon completion of the class, participants have the option to become a Chicago Citizen Corps CERT volunteer and assist professional emergency services in various deployments. Past participants have played a role in emergency exercises and assisted the City of Chicago during various large-scale emergencies such as the response to COVID-19, Emergency Operations Center activations, and other natural disasters. Other special events that CERT volunteers assist in are the Chicago Air and Water Show, St. Patrick’s River Dyeing, Chicago Marathon, Summertime beach safety patrols, and more.

Residents can register online by clicking here.

Second Installment Property Tax Bills Now Available

Residents Impacted By Storm May Be Eligible to Receive a One-Time $150 Gift Card for Groceries

1. City of Chicago residency
2. Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines, required by CSBG and determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Documentation from ComEd verifying a power outage of two (2) consecutive days or more. See attached FAQ for details on confirming a power outage.

Federal Changes to Medicaid Begin January 2027

Share Feedback to Inform
 Police Superintendent Search

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced five community listening sessions across Chicago as part of its nationwide search for the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Feedback gathered during these sessions will help inform the Commission’s search and evaluation of candidates before it submits three finalists to the Mayor for consideration later this fall, as required by ordinance.

Residents who are unable to attend a listening session are encouraged to submit feedback through the Commission’s online community feedback form at ccpsa.chicago.gov.

For more information about the Superintendent search, upcoming engagement opportunities, or to submit feedback online, visit CCPSA's website.

Lime Shares E-Scooter Safety Reminders

Divvy Memberships Start at $5/Year

Low-income Chicagoans may qualify for the Divvy for Everyone (D4E) program. This program offers access to the Divvy bike network across the city starting at just $5 a year. Learn more and sign up at divvybikes.com/d4e.

Additional Resources