39th Ward Updates

39th Ward Newsletter
January 9, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Last month, I was proud to be among the 30 aldermen who voted to approve a City Council-driven 2026 Municipal Budget for Chicago. This budget, which went into effect at the end of the year, invests in public safety, infrastructure improvements, and core city services, while continuing to stabilize our finances. It restores money for the library collections budget, increases funding for programs addressing gender-based violence, and includes money for youth programming like Becoming a Man and Working on Womanhood. Our budget was able to identify revenue sources for these investments without implementing a reckless head tax that would only hurt our economy and make it harder for businesses to grow and create new jobs. It also outlines over $100 million in efficiencies, and I believe the City must continue to identify efficiencies within our government before asking residents or businesses to shoulder additional costs. While no budget is perfect, I believe the plan we crafted and passed was the best path forward, and the collaborative process we used to get here illustrated how government can and should work.

Additional budget coverage and commentary can be found here:

The Department of Family and Support Services, the Chicago Park District, and my office are working closely and proactively to connect individuals experiencing homelessness in Eugene Field Park and Legion Park with housing options and critical support services. The Chicago Park District has committed to cleaning and closing the Legion Park encampment in the first quarter of this year. Discussions with city departments and community partners are ongoing to expand affordable housing opportunities, repurpose underutilized city-owned property, and increase shelter and transitional housing capacity, especially in the winter.

The 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program (SCSP) opens Monday, January 12th at 6:00 am. SCSP is a voluntary program where property owners and the City share the cost of sidewalk reconstruction. The scope of a SCSPproject includes sidewalk within the public right-of-way, and may include the main walk, the sidewalk through a driveway, the existing courtesy walk (which runs perpendicular from the main sidewalk to the curb), and existing landing steps (the small strip of concrete sometimes found adjacent to the curb). The SCSP cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may also qualify to receive a 50 percent discount. The approximate cost to a property owner of an average mid-block property will range from $1,000 to $2,400. If CDOT determines that the property is eligible for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, CDOT will send you an invoice for the work in late spring. If interested, payment in full must be made to the City within the timeframe indicated on the invoice. Applying to the program is free, and you will only be invoiced if selected and you approve the repairs. Call my office at 773.736.5594 or email [email protected] and we will submit an application on your behalf at 6:00 am on Monday, January 12. More information on the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is below.

My office is here to help. We are located at 4200 W. Lawrence Ave. and are open Mondays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please contact us at 773.736.5594 or [email protected] if you need any city services or have any questions.

Sincerely,

Alderman Samantha Nugent

39th Ward Updates

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program

Submit your information below if you would like to be a part of the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. Applications officially open on Monday, January 12th at 6:00 a.m. and our staff will input all applications we receive at that time.

Hollywood Park Splash Pad

Hollywood Park is getting a new water feature in 2026! From a Participatory Budgeting Submission, to working with the Chicago Park District and State Representative Mike Kelly, the water feature is being rehabilitated. The existing spray pool will be converted into a splash pad without standing water, making it accessible for children with limited mobility.

The community can vote now through January 31st on the style of the new water feature using the survey linked below or by visiting the field house at 3312 W. Thorndale Ave.

Sauganash Elementary Civics Speeches

State Senator Ram Villivalam and I joined Ms. Carroll's 8th-Grade class for their civics speeches at Sauganash Elementary School. The group shared eloquent, thoughtful, and well-researched speeches.

Congratulations to Audrey, Irini, and Liam for being our winners. A job well done by all!

Von Steuben After School Matters

The Carole Robertson Center’s Afterschool Matters Group invited me to talk about environmental justice at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center. We talked about the role of an Alderman and how to engage and advocate for causes at a local level.

Holiday Tree Recycling

The Department of Streets and Sanitation, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, is hosting the annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program now through January 17th. Our ward's location is at North Park Village (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.) Trees can be dropped off between 6 am and 11 pm.

Drop off your natural holiday trees inside the recycling corrals - and please be sure to remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands, and plastic bags from your tree before placing it in the corral.

The trees will be chipped to create mulch, which will be available to residents for free pickup.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Drop off your nonworking holiday string lights between now and January 31st to recycle them with Reduce Waste Chicago. Please separate the lights from other decor and drop them off in my office at 4200 W. Lawrence Ave.

Around the Ward

NPV Senate Apartments Holiday Lunch

We shared a festive holiday meal with the residents of the Senate Apartment Building at North Park Village alongside State Senator Ram Villivalam and State Representative Mike Kelly. Sharing good food, warm conversations, and holiday cheer is always one of the highlights of my year.

Gladstone Tree Lighting

Alderman Jim Gardiner and I enjoyed spending an evening with neighbors at the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce's Tree Lighting ceremony.

Edgebrook Sauganash Holiday Lights

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Polish National Alliance on a snowy evening for the annual Edgebrook Sauganash Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Lights ceremony.

Edgebrook Library Merry Grinchmas

Edgebrook Library's Very Merry Grinchmas holiday celebration was a hit - including a visit from the Grinch himself!

NPV Holiday Concert

Happy Holidays from the residents of North Park Village! Congressman Mike Quigley and I were happy to join residents enjoying carols and pleasant company.

Forest Glen Holiday Walk

‘Tis the Season! I joined Rachel Hawley, Forest Glen Community Club President, and Santa Claus to present a $15,000 donation to complete the Forest Glen Avenue overpass murals. The gift is from the estate of Donna King, which also helped sponsor the mural on the south wall.

Winter Clothing Drive

Family Literacy Program

Heartland Human Care Services is a local nonprofit social service agency which offers many programs to assist individuals facing poverty, displacement, and injustice. Currently they are sharing information regarding their Family Literacy Programs for families with kids 0-5 years old. Contact their office at 312-802-4210 or [email protected] for more information about this or any of their programs.

City of Chicago Announcements

Know Your Rights

Everyone in Chicago—regardless of immigration status—is protected by rights under city, county, state, and federal law. This guide is designed to help you understand those rights. For immediate assistance or more information, please call the ICIRR Family Support Network Hotline at 855-435-7693 or visit the link below.

Emergency Heating Repair Program

The Chicago Department of Housing's 2025-2026 Emergency Hearing Repair Program (EHRP) is open for applications. The EHRP offer income-eligible homeowners with direct assistance to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Qualified contractors perform the work at no cost to the homeowner with funding through the Department of Housing. Assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Homeowners with an email address can apply online at . You can also receive a paper application by calling 311 or stopping by our office to request the printed copy to be mailed to you.

LSC Elections

Want to be more involved in your local school community? Applications are open now through January 20, 2026 to apply to be a candidate for your Local School Council (LSC). Parents, community members, staff, and students are welcome to run. Please see the link below for more information.

Tree Recycling Pickup

For those who would like to have their trees picked up for recycling, Scout Troop 626 is offering curbside pickup this Saturday, January 10th. See the link below to register.