Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

August 14, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Rogers Park Township Property Tax Appeal

Calling all Rogers Park Township property owners. Are your property taxes too high? I will be holding a property tax appeal help event at the 50th Ward Office (2949 W Devon Ave), together with Commission Samantha Steele, on Thursday, August 27 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Board of Review analysts will be available to help you file an appeal. Pre-register now to let us know you are coming.

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.

Rogers Park Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is north of Devon Avenue. The appeals period is open until Tuesday, September 1. You can file your appeal at our event or online at appeals.cookcountyboardofreview.com.

Successful appeals will be reflected on second installment property tax bills issued in the summer of 2027.

50th Ward Job Fair - Save the Date

I am pleased to announce the annual 50th Ward Job Fair will be back this year on Thursday, September 24 at the Northtown Library! I am hosting this event together with State Senator Ram Villivalam, State Representative Kevin Olickal, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

We are still looking for more local, neighborhood businesses to participate. If you are an employer seeking qualified employees, visit 50thward.org/employers. Job seekers are also invited to pre-register here.

For more information, please contact my office at (773) 262-1050 or [email protected].

Ice Cream Social & Outdoor Office Hours

I had a wonderful time with my neighbors at our Ice Cream Social and Outdoor Office Hours at Lerner Park this week! Thank you to everyone who came out to share ice cream together and to discuss ways to improve our community.

We have another Ice Cream Social coming up, so get ready for more fun in the 50th Ward! The last open office and ice cream social of the summer is Tuesday, August 25 from 4:30 - 6 PM at Rogers Park, 7345 N. Washtenaw Ave. Come out for free ice cream and to connect with your alderman and your neighbors!

These events are a great opportunity to meet your alderman, discuss any needed city services, and enjoy ice cream together with the community (dairy-free options will also be available).

Find all the local 50th Ward events at 50thward.org/summer. I hope to see you all out in the Ward!

Clean & Green Volunteer Event

I was very happy to join the West Ridge Cleanup Crew and fellow neighbors for a community cleanup along Oakley Avenue this week. Together, we cleaned multiple blocks and filled 12 large bags with garbage.

A big thank you to the West Ridge Cleanup Crew and to everyone who volunteered their time to make our neighborhood a cleaner, more beautiful place. I am grateful for all the neighbors who take pride in our community and pitch in to make a difference!

Pakistan Independence Day Parade

As I announced previously, the Pakistan Independence Day Parade will be celebrated this Sunday, August 16, stepping off at 12:30 PM. The parade route runs along Devon Avenue from Ridge to Leavitt.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS: The street will be closed along the parade route on Sunday from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  No parking signs will also be posted starting at midnight on Saturday evening on Devon between Ridge and Western and on the east side of Western from Devon to Arthur.

Wishing a very happy Independence Day to all my friends and neighbors in the Pakistani community!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra L. Silverstein

Alderman, 50th Ward

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.