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WARD SERVICE OFFICE
1447 W. MORSE AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60626
773-338-5796
www.49thward.org
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Good morning neighbors,
Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all who celebrate. April is here and with it, the more frequent rains to bring the promised flowers for May. That means it's also time for spring cleaning! Street sweeping begins this week so don't forget to move your vehicles. You can find the schedule for 2026 below in Ward Updates. Also, our annual Clean and Green is scheduled for April 18 from 10am - 1pm. I'd love to see more volunteers than ever help us clean up the 49th Ward. We'll have bags, gloves, and snacks at our office as well as a list of locations for volunteers to clean. You can work from our list of simply clean up on your block - our fantastic Streets and Sanitation team will come by to pick up all the refuse your gather after the event.
Check out some of the fun, springtime events happening this weekend below!
Have a safe and restful weekend,
Alderwoman Maria Hadden
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click the links below to select the section that you want to read!
- CELEBRATIONS & APPRECIATIONS - good news for the week!
- WARD UPDATES - Community announcements, city services, and zoning/development updates
- INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES - City services and infrastructure notices
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - local events and ways to get involved
- ROGERS PARK ARTS - events, theatre, and other public arts news
- YOUTH SHINE IN 49 - school news, scholarship opportunities, and youth employment offerings
- NEED TO KNOW INFO - alerts, services, and government resources
- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - links to resources housed on the 49th Ward website
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Celebrations & Appreciations
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Wednesday marked the first night of Passover, one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar. Passover commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and will last from April 1 to sundown, April 9th. We wish all those celebrating a wonderful seder and an enjoyable celebration. Chag Sameach!
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Easter will take place tomorrow, April 5th! Make sure to check out all the fun Easter-themed events happening in the 49th Ward, which you can find below!
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Our office would like to extend a huge thank you to Nilla Narsa, the Pottawattomie Park team, other Chicago Park District staff, and the Pottawattomie Park Advisory Council for organizing and carrying out such a wonderful Bunny Bonanza! The event was a huge success, welcoming over 200 attendees—mostly children—who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We hope all who attended had a wonderful time!
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North Side Housing Shelter Art Therapy Program Anniversary
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We wanted to give a shout-out to the North Side Housing & Supportive Services shelter, who are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their art therapy program! Since the shelter opened, they have housed over 230 men, provided 33,800 shelter nights, and served over 96,000 meals. Their art therapy program provides a clinically grounded, trauma-conscious approach to support healing. By offering a safe, non-verbal outlet to express themselves, it enables residents to process trauma, reduce stress, and express emotions in a quiet way that feels comfortable. Thank you for your work in keeping this program running, North Side Housing!
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RESOURCES
As Operation Midway Blitz continues and ICE agents have been active around the City, we want to remind neighbors of our Fighting Against Fascist Occupation resources. Know your rights, stay safe, and stay informed. Find our guide here.
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49th Ward Clean and Green April 18th!
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Join us for our annual ward-wide cleaning event, the 49th Ward Clean and Green! Our annual event will be held on Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m! If you would like to sign up to volunteer and submit a location to be cleaned, please complete this form: bit.ly/cleanandgreen2026. We hope to see you all there, beautifying our neighborhood one piece of trash at a time!
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Seasonal Street Sweeping Has Begun!
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Street sweeping season has begun! If you park a vehicle on the street, please be mindful of the sweeping schedule and make sure to move your vehicle so that we can clean up the trash and organic waste that has accumulated on this winter. The Department of Streets and Sanitation sweeps the city’s streets April through November every year. The city hangs bright orange temporary parking restrictions a few days before sweeping service is scheduled to begin. Those who fail to move their vehicle between the restricted hours of 9 am- 2 pm can be fined $60. The street sweeping schedule is available on our website and is updated for this year.
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Glenwood Ave Arts Fest Artist Applications Open
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Artist applications are now being accepted for the 25th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest! The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is Rogers Park’s annual outdoor celebration of arts and community, run by a volunteer planning committee to showcase our neighborhood’s arts, talents, and businesses. Interested in applying? Click here: https://gaaf2026.artcall.org/
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1224 W Loyola Ave Demolition Underway
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Please be aware that the demolition at 1224 W Loyola Ave has resumed, after coordinating with the CTA. Please continue to send any questions or concerns to Jennifer Clark, Loyola's Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, at [email protected].
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CTA Construction Notice April 6 to April 8
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From April 6 to April 8, the CTA will be conducting work on the Red Line tracks at the Morse L stop, along W Lunt Ave. Work hours will last from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. The sidewalk on the north side of W. Lunt Avenue, at the CTA Tracks, will be closed during stated work hours, and the sidewalk on the south side of W. Lunt Avenue will remain open at all times.
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No Parking on Glenwood Between Lunt & Morse
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Neighbors,
Please be aware that the northbound section of N Glenwood between W Morse and W Lunt is now "No Parking" at all hours of the day.
Our office established 24/7 "No Parking" restrictions on this section of Glenwood, between Lunt and Morse, which were installed and went into effect this past weekend. This stretch of Glenwood was chosen for parking restrictions due to public safety concerns from the 24th District and to facilitate the setup and takedown of the Glenwood Sunday Market. When the street was closed for the former Glenwood Alfresco, cars could not park or take up space for the farmer's market stands, which made the process much easier for market vendors. However, if cars are parked there, the setup becomes frustrating and complicated for all parties. The feedback we received from constituents prompted us to create an ordinance establishing these restrictions.
Please contact my office if you have any further questions regarding this new parking change.
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The Chicago Department of Transportation will be grinding the following street in our ward:
- N. Glenwood Ave (1400 W) from W Pratt Blvd (6800 N) to W. Devon Ave (6400 N)
Glenwood will be ground up starting on April 2. Parking will be limited on these streets as construction commences, so we advise you to seek alternate parking options for the time being.
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Lighting Project on 1615 - 1758 W Chase & 7200 - 7331 N Paulina
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The Chicago Department of Transportation is currently undergoing a residential street lighting project on the 1600 to 1700 block of Chase and the 7200 to 7300 block of Paulina, which will last roughly 2 to 3 weeks, weather permitting. There will be a No Parking tow zone in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the duration of the project. Workers will need to tear up the sidewalk in this process, though they plan to do this early in the timeline so as not inconvenience residents for a long period of time.
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Loyola University Construction at 6347 N Broadway
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Loyola University is currently undergoing several construction projects, including one at 6347 N Broadway. Construction at this address will result in a single lane closure affecting N. Broadway and the alley to the east beginning February 28. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Loyola at [email protected].
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Rogers Park Library April Events
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The Rogers Park Library (6907 N Clark St) has plenty of upcoming events during the month of April, free for all constituents! Check out the above posters and support your local library.
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Jarvis Square Egg Hunt Today
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Jarvis Square (Jarvis/Greenview) will be holding an egg hunt on Saturday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. for all who want to attend. There will be a free egg hunt and live music from Miss A Leigh's Live High Energy Interactive Musical Experience! Stop by and celebrate with the community!
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Financial Plan Town Hall April 7
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The Chicago Financial Future Task Force, an independent group of 24 civic leaders designing practical options for the city's long-term health, will host a town hall on Tuesday, April 7. The town hall will be at Truman College (1148 W Wilson Ave) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and you can sign up here. Want to get involved? Check out the following options:
- Share your perspective on Chicago’s future through a short citywide survey.
- Join one of five deliberative town halls across the city to learn more and participate in guided discussions.
- Take part in a small group discussion on key city finance topics. Participants will be compensated.
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Short Term Guardianship Info Session
April 15 and April 17
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The City of Chicago Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights invites you to the Train The Trainer: Short Term Guardianships event on April 15 and April 17. Both will be virtual, and you can sign up here. Please note the April 15 event will be at 12:00 p.m. and in English, while the April 17 event will be at 12:00 p.m. and in Spanish.
This training will be on short-term guardianship to help immigrant families develop emergency care plans for their children. The session will focus on utilizing statutory short-term guardianship forms to ensure that families can proactively have an emergency plan for their children in case of detention or deportation.
Key Training points include:
- Understanding of what is the short-term guardianship and selecting trusted caregivers
- Explain all the steps on how to fill out and sign the form
- Guide for best practices to assist someone to complete the form.
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Park District 2026 Parks Clean-Up April 18
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The Chicago Park District is excited to host the 2026 Citywide Earth Day Parks Clean-Up on Saturday, April 18. Each year, thousands of volunteers come together to help clean and beautify parks throughout the city. This event is a wonderful opportunity for residents to connect with neighbors while supporting the green spaces that serve our communities. Volunteer registration is now open! Residents can find a park and register to volunteer here
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Pottawattomie Park Clean-Up April 18
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Join your neighbors this Earth Day to help make Pottawattomie Park clean and green! Volunteers meet at the Pottawattomie Park fieldhouse (7340 N. Rogers Avenue) at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18th. Sign up in advance at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/earth-day, or register on-site on April 18th.
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RPBA Spiral Into Spring Fundraiser April 19
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Join the Rogers Park Business Alliance for a Glenwood Sunday Market fundraiser on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse). General admission tickets cost $50 and VIP admission tickets cost $100 or $500. Tickets purchased raise critical funds to help the market remain open and provide fresh, healthy food for all attendees, including SNAP customers who can use their dollars at these farmer's markets. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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GENARRATIONS Storytelling Opens April 13
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Join GENARRATIONS, a FREE seven-week writing and performance class for adults 55 and older. Writers of all experience levels are welcome! Storytellers in GeNarrations meet once a week for two hours to write five-minute stories based on themes raised by Goodman productions. GENARRATIONS begins Tuesday, April 28, and will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard St. Registration begins Monday, April 13. For more information, please contact [email protected].
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Culture of Safety April Community Offerings
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Culture of Safety has several community offerings for the month of April for you to explore. Check out the programs below and see which ones pique your interest.
- Culture of Safety's Summer Camps are open for registration! Looking for interactive, affordable, empowering child care for the weeks between Park Distract camps and CPS school? All Camps are offered at sliding scale/tiered pricing. All camps are neurodivergent-friendly and LGBT-affirming. Immigrants welcome! Registration and more info: https://bit.ly/COSSummer26
- CoS offers weekly meditation in the Samatha Tradition on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for beginners on a drop-in basis. Led by Kyren Epperson, classes are free of charge, but registration is required: https://cultureofsafetychi.com/wellness/samatha-meditation/#Register
- CoS offers Community Tai Chi classes on Mondays at 7:00 p.m., taught by Sifu Rodrigo. There is a suggested donation of $15/session. Learn more or register online: https://cultureofsafetychi.com/wellness/taichi/
- In recognition of sexual assault awareness month, CoS is offering a workshop just for teens and young adults, specifically addressing sexual assault prevention: Empowerment & Sexual Assault Prevention Workshop for Teens and Young Adults. The workshop will be on Saturday, April 18, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Open to teens and young adults of all genders, ages 14-29. Learn more or register online: https://bit.ly/CoSSelfDefense26
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FREE Health and Wellness Class at Howard and Evanston Community Center
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Howard and Evanston Community Center is offering a FREE Health and Wellness class three days a week from March 31 to June 12. If you are interested in a job in the healthcare field or want to learn about different health conditions, then this entry-level class may be for you! For more information, email May Dartez at [email protected], and visit bit.ly/4jLm4Kw to sign up.
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Family Literacy Program For Kids 0-5!
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Heartland Human Care Services (5715 W Belmont) offers a Family Literacy program, which provides learning and play time for children ages 0-5, while parents attend their in-person classes. There are also other family literacy activities and field trips, including library visits where families can build community. Interested? Contact them at abiatoyebi@heartlandhumancareservices.org.
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Project Wingspan Virtual Seminars March & April
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Throughout Spring 2026, Project Wingspan will be hosting virtual webinars about its agriculture-focused Pollinator Steward Certification in Illinois and Ohio. This is a free workshop for Illinoisans geared toward agricultural landowners, managers, producers, and affiliated professionals, regardless of the size of the land they have access to, and will show how to support pollinator conservation by incorporating pollinator-friendly plants and practices on their land. You can register here.
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Support a local Rogers Park resident with their top surgery!
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Kyren Epperson, owner of our beloved Culture of Safety (6961 N Clark St), is scheduled for a medically necessary gender-affirming top surgery on April 2, and is requesting the community's help! Not only is the surgery expensive, but the recovery will be a financial burden too. Unlike most people with desk jobs, who can often return to work fully after just 1-2 weeks of recovery, Kyren is told they will not be able to see clients for a minimum of six weeks, thus impacting Culture of Safety's operations. If you are able to, please consider helping Kyren through this process via one of the options below:
- Donate to Kyren's GoFundMe
- Sign up to bring food to Kyren after surgery (via MealTrain)
- Write a Google Review for Culture of Safety. Every bit of support for the business means greater security for Kyren and their partner before and after surgery.
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Gale Community Academy Exercise Events
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Gale Community Academy (1631 W Jonquil Terr) has a variety of weekly events for the community to participate in! Join a fitness workshop, try out a Zumba dance class, or connect with other Rogers Parkers at Gale's weekly game night! All events are free and open for all. Check out the above flyers to see what most interests you!
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Support A Local Music Group!
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Local Chicago group Funkadesi, which combines Indian bhangra, Bollywood, folk, reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, is celebrating its year-long 30th anniversary. They will return to the studio at the end of March and are inviting their family, friends, and supporters to make this dream a reality. If you are able, they are accepting donations at this link.
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Chicago Loves Local Campaign Available
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Chicago Loves Local is a free, collaborative campaign open to all 77 community areas, designed to uplift neighborhood businesses, amplify local pride, and encourage residents to shop close to home. Through its Instagram platform, the campaign highlights small businesses and commercial corridors across the city, helping drive visibility, storytelling, and local spending. Check out the campaign here, and remember to shop local wherever you can!
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Events at the Rogers Park Branch Library
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The Rogers Park Branch Library (6907 N. Clark) offers a variety of events and programming for people of all ages. Make sure to check out a list of their upcoming events and register to attend one. More information is available on its website here.
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Theater Above the Law Presents: Cyrano
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Theater Above the Law will be performing Cyrano, by Michael Dalberg, directed by Tony Lawry, from March 13 to April 12. In this Original TATL adaptation by Michael Dalberg (Grimm, The Blood Countess, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) Cyrano cannot share her love to the multi-courted Roxanne. Thus, she speaks her truth through dim witted Christian, Roxanne’s true desire.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at the Jarvis Square Theater (1439 W. Jarvis). Please visit theatreatl.org for tickets. Use the Rogers Park coupon code unclecardinal at checkout for $10 OFF THE REGULAR $25 ticket price. Subject to availability, not valid opening or closing weekends.
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Choose The Theme For Artists of The Wall 2026
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The Loyola Park Advisory Council is beginning planning for Artists of the Wall 2026, and they need your help choosing this year’s theme!
Please take a moment to cast your vote for your favorite theme. Your input helps shape one of our community’s most creative and beloved traditions.
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Free ACT Test Prep For Students
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Attention students! GoSTEM, a local organization that partners with CPS, is offering free ACT test prep for Chicago students who are interested. This enrichment program allows students to gain valuable test prep experience and learn from trusted volunteers. Interested in learning more? Contact their Program Assistant, Cathy Ly, at cathy@thegostem.org or click here.
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Chicago Youth Works Application Portal Now Open
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Get Paid. Get Skilled. Get Ahead. Chicagoans from 14 to 24 years old can apply for paid summer jobs and opportunities today at ChicagoYouthWorks.org! Check out this fantastic opportunity for this summer!
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Paid Junior Bike Ambassador Fellowship Available
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The Chicago Safe Ambassador program is currently accepting applications for junior bike ambassadors to educate children of all ages about mobility safety in the city. This paid seasonal mentorship is for Chicago residents 16 or older who enjoy working with kids and navigating the city by bike. For more details about the program, please reach out to [email protected]. For those interested in the job, please reach out to [email protected] or fill out this interest form.
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Chicago Park District Summer Jobs Available
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The Chicago Park District has plenty of opportunities for teens this summer, from ages 13 and up! To see a list of open positions and submit an application, click here.
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Student Employment Opportunities Available for Summer 2026
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WEC Energy Group is hiring interns for summer 2026! If you know a college student looking for work in the energy industry, please direct them to wecenergygroup.com/careers to review available opportunities.
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Amnesty April is back! City Clerk Anna Valencia is waiving late fees and back charges to drivers from April 1-30, 2026. City Stickers can be purchased at any Office of the City Clerk or Department of Finance location, online using EzBuy (must have or create an account by April 17), or at a Mobile City Hall event. Get the full details at www.chicityclerk.com/AmnestyMonth!
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COPA Community Mediator Program Available
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Are you a trained mediator who resides in the City of Chicago? COPA is creating a Community Mediator pilot program to offer a non-disciplinary option for resolving certain complaints filed with COPA involving members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Through structured, voluntary mediation, the program creates a space for community members and officers to engage in constructive dialogue, with the goal of fostering mutual understanding, strengthening relationships, and building trust. Interested? Apply here.
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Apply for Property Tax Exemptions Today
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When you claim exemptions on your home, you unlock savings that help lower your property tax bill. Applying online is easy and allows certain exemptions to roll over year-over-year. Are you unsure if you already have exemptions applied? Review your property details by entering your parcel ID or address. Once entered, scroll down and select 'Exemption History & Status' to view your active and historic exemptions.
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TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Program Available
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The Chicago Department of Housing has announced the launch of the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program – Series 2026, an initiative designed to help eligible homebuyers reduce their federal income tax liability and expand access to affordable homeownership opportunities for Chicago residents.
The TaxSmart MCC Program provides qualified homebuyers with a federal income tax credit based on a percentage of the mortgage interest paid annually. By reducing homeowners’ federal tax liability, the program helps lower the effective cost of homeownership and increases purchasing power for income-eligible households, including many first-time homebuyers.
You can learn more about the program by visiting City of Chicago :: TaxSmart, or by calling (312) 744-0891.
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CCHR Hate Crime Reporting
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The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) has provided us with a brief graphic explaining the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident, and how to report either act. You can contact CCHR with any questions at [email protected].
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Property Tax Exemption Applications Available
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Are you a homeowner in Cook County? You may be eligible for property tax savings. The following are available exemptions:
- Homeowner Exemption
- Senior Exemption
- Senior Freeze Exemption
- Veterans with Disabilities Exemption
- Returning Veterans Exemption
- World War II Exemption
- Persons with Disabilities Exemption
View exemption eligibility, documentation required, and apply online at www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so that there is a digital record of their application. Applying online allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify of missing documents needed to complete the application.
Homeowners can join in-person and virtual workshops on how to file for exemptions. For a list of upcoming events, visit cookcountyassessoril.gov/event-list .
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Connect with Your Elected Officials
Want to get connected with your other elected officials? Find links to sign up to their newsletters and website information below!
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Cook County:
Commissioner Josina Morita Website
State of Illinois:
Rep. Cassidy Newsletter | Website
Sen. Simmons Newsletter | Website
Federal Government:
Congresswoman Schakowsky's website
Senator Durbin's website
Senator Duckworth's website
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