Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

July 10, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Gratitude to Superintendent Larry Snelling

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced that he will be retiring on July 15. This is a tremendous loss for our city. Superintendent Snelling oversaw a historic drop in crime in Chicago and has been an outstanding partner in our shared commitment to keeping our community safe.

Superintendent Snelling’s leadership, professionalism, and dedication to public safety have made a real difference across our city, and I am especially grateful for his support of the 50th Ward and its residents.

I want to thank Superintendent Snelling for his service and wish him all the best in his retirement. He will be greatly missed, and I know his legacy of leadership will have a lasting impact on the Chicago Police Department and the people of Chicago.

City Council Update

You may have seen in the news that my colleagues and I in the City Council sent a strong reprimand to Mayor Brandon Johnson yesterday for his latest attempt to play political games and bypass the Council rules of order. You can read more about what happened here.

At the Rules Committee yesterday, the Mayor’s Office attempted to directly introduce resolutions that would put three non-binding referenda on the November ballot. The debate yesterday did not focus on the substance of the resolutions but instead on the mayor’s insistence on directly introducing them to committee instead of following the established process of first introducing them to the full City Council. This is the latest example in what has become a pattern of Mayor Johnson flouting the Council rules.

The City Council rules of order exist for a reason and should only be suspended in emergency situations that require urgent action. Bypassing the full City Council and introducing directly to committee strips aldermen of their legislative obligations and takes away your duly elected representation. We were elected to vote and debate on the issues affecting our communities, and the mayor should know better than to try to bypass that in order to score political points.

Peterson Park Restrictor Replacement Program

I have been working closely with the Chicago Department of Water Management to address flooding concerns in the 50th Ward since many of you were impacted this past fall. We identified the area most affected by basement flooding complaints and the Water department underwent a thorough review to find solutions.

Beginning the week of July 13, Water department contractors will be in our neighborhood to clean and install restrictors in the catch basin drainage structures in the impacted area. You may also notice catch basin cleaning trucks on your block in advance of the restrictor installation process.

The limits of work are as follows:

• North Limit - W. Devon Ave.

• South Limit - W. Peterson Ave.

• West Limit - N. Ridgeway Ave.

• East Limit - N. Lincoln Ave.

The Restrictor Replacement Program will assist with controlling the flow of water into the sewer system. By slowing down the flow entering the main sewer line, restrictors help prevent downstream pipes from becoming overloaded during heavy rain or peak use. This control reduces the risk of basement flooding and protects wastewater treatment plants from being overwhelmed.

The work will take approximately two months to complete. If you have any questions or concerns during the project, please feel free to contact me.

Free Ice Cream and Outdoor Office Hours

Get ready for a fun summer in the 50th Ward! There are two upcoming opportunities to celebrate the community together with your Alderman:

Friday, July 10: 12:30 - 2:00 PM - STARTING SOON!

Corner of Maplewood & Devon

Tuesday, July 14: 4:30 - 6:00 PM

Legion Park Fountain - Peterson & Lincoln

Both events will feature free ice cream and outdoor office hours. Dietary restrictions will be observed, and non-dairy options will be available.

We have a full summer planned with lots of great community events. Find one that works for you at 50thward.org/summer. I hope to see you all out in the Ward!

Free Brookfield Zoo Admission and Parking Passes

I am pleased to announce that I have available a limited number of free passes to the Brookfield Zoo. Each pass includes general admission for one adult or child plus free parking. The tickets are valid through March 31, 2027.

I am giving out the passes on a first-come, first-served basis at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W Devon. Due to limited supply, a maximum of two passes will be given out per family, and passes will only be available to 50th Ward residents.

Thank you to Commissioner Josina Morita and the Forest Preserves of Cook County for generously supplying the tickets!

Pakistan and United States Unity Dinner

It was an honor to attend a unity dinner this week, celebrating 250 years of Independence and the deep connection between the local Pakistani-American community and the United States. Thank you to all of my local Pakistani friends for the kind invitation!

I love representing such a diverse neighborhood and am immensely grateful to the local Pakistani community for your strong partnership and many contributions to the 50th Ward.

NextGen Leaders Program

It was a pleasure speaking with the incredible interns at the Simon Wiesenthal Center NextGen Leaders Program! I enjoyed sharing my experiences in public service and discussing the importance of community leadership and civic engagement.

Thank you to the Simon Wiesenthal Center for investing in the next generation of Jewish leaders, and best of luck to all of these talented students as they continue their internships this summer!

Welcome to Joree Cafe!

It was a pleasure to join the ribbon cutting for the 50th Ward's newest business, Joree Cafe at 5858 N Lincoln Ave. Congratulations to the owners. I wish them many years of success!

Our local small businesses are the heart of our community, and I encourage everyone to shop local whenever they can. I will always be proud to support the entrepreneurs and self-starters that invest in the 50th Ward and help our neighborhood thrive.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

Upcoming 50th Ward Summer Events

Community Yard Signs Now in Stock

Free yard signs are now available for pickup at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W. Devon. There are currently four signs in stock: “Caution - Children Playing,” “Clean Up After Your Dog,” “Do Not Litter,” and “Know Your Rights.” Stop by to pick up your free signs.

Please call before coming to make sure the office is open and your desired signs are still available.

Flood Damage Assessment Survey

The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and the Illinois Management Agency (IEMA) are reviewing damage from the severe thunderstorms that occurred from July 3-4, 2026, and are asking that residents who have been impacted by these storms submit a Residential Self-Assessment Survey.

To fill out a survey, please click here (English and Spanish versions can be selected in the top left corner). The deadline to submit the survey is July 14, 2026. 

This supplemental information will help determine whether the City, along with county and regional partners, can pursue any options for additional assistance for residents. Reporting damages to emergency management is a voluntary activity. It is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

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].

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.

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.

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

24th District Blood Drive

17th District Council Monthly Meeting