Chicago’s 50th Ward Newsletter

April 17, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Flooding Update

Many of you contacted me about basement backup and street flooding during this week’s severe rainstorms. I met with the Water Department Commissioner’s Office today to express our extreme frustration and the need for a comprehensive plan to prevent future flooding.

The Water Department will be in our neighborhood investigating the causes of this week’s flooding and looking for solutions. If you experienced basement backup, please contact my office to report it, so we know exactly where the problem is occurring.

You can report flooding online here, call my office at (773) 262-1050 to report flooding, or call 311. 

Block Party and Jumping Jack Applications

Apply for a free bouncy house at your block party this summer!  The Jumping Jack application is now open online here. Inflatables will be available on Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through September 6. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply as early as possible to ensure your block party date is available.

The weather is getting nicer and that means 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 online 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].

Help Keep Our Neighborhood Clean

Earth Day is this Wednesday, April 22. It is a time when we join together to protect our planet. As we mark this important commemoration, I would like to remind everyone to please help keep our neighborhood clean and green.

Please remember to clear any accumulated garbage around your property. Cleaning debris is not only the neighborly thing to do, but it keeps the street drains clear and could prevent flooding. Please also remember to keep toys and furniture off the public way, so we can all enjoy the community without impediment.

This is the time of year when we all want to enjoy the outdoors, so please do your part to get our neighborhood ready. If we all work together, we can keep the 50th Ward clean, green, and beautiful!

Focus on the 50th

It was wonderful to tour some of the amazing non-profit organizations in the 50th Ward this week! Our neighborhood is one of the most generous and caring communities in the City of Chicago, and our amazing nonprofits work nonstop to keep the 50th Ward a wonderful place to live.

The Well of Mercy

It was a privilege to tour the 50th Ward’s own The Well of Mercy. The Well of Mercy supports women and children through transitional housing. It helps some of the most vulnerable members of our community and provides the compassionate care they need.

Thank you to The Well of Mercy for the tour and for all you do on behalf of our 50th Ward community!

Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois Headquarters

I had a wonderful tour of the new Chabad of Illinois regional headquarters, located right here in the 50th Ward. The new building is amazing and will go a long way towards supporting Chabad’s mission here in our neighborhood and across the state.

Chabad is a global organization dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish people worldwide. Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois manages more than 50 centers throughout the state and is a deeply valued part of the 50th Ward. I wish them much success in their beautiful and impressive new building!

Chase Bank Grand Opening

I was pleased to attend the grand opening of the new Chase bank location at 6131 N Lincoln, which replaces the now closed branch at Lincoln & McCormick. The location is now open and ready to serve the public.

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.

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.

50th Ward Know Your Rights Portal

Chamber of Commerce Community Guide

24th District Senior Movie

CACC Pet Adoption Event