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48th WARD NEWS: APRIL 2, 2026
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COMMISSION GRANTS BRYN MAWR HISTORIC DISTRICT PRELIMINARY LANDMARK STATUS
Today, the Chicago Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to give preliminary landmark designation to the Bryn Mawr Historic District! With support from Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth, the corridor will now go through an approximately 9-month process to become one of over 60 officially landmarked districts in Chicago. Thank you to all of the neighbors and organizations that came out to speak in support of this effort! Read more about landmarking Bryn Mawr on our blog.
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SPRING EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Spring has sprung in the 48th Ward! With the weather beginning to turn there's no better time to put up one of these new "Please pick up after your pet" yard signs in your yard or parkway. They are available for free at the 48th Ward office while supplies last! Come by 1129 W Bryn Mawr whenever we're open to claim yours.
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Join the 48th Ward Pothole Patrol
- When: Friday, April 10 at 12pm
- Where: Virtual
- Register online.
Join the 48th Ward Pothole Patrol! With the snow finally melting, it's officially pothole season! Our team will be out in the ward looking for potholes throughout the spring and summer, and we need your help! Join us for this training to learn how to report the potholes you see in your neighborhood!
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2026 Street Sweeping Schedule
Street Sweeping has officially begun! Beginning every year on April 1, Chicago uses mechanical street sweepers to remove debris and litter from streets. Visit our blog to find your street cleaning section and determine when your area will be swept.
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48th Ward Dog Vaccine & Microchip Clinic
- When: Thursday, April 9 from 10am-1pm
- Where: Margate Park (4921 N Marine)
- No RSVP required
We're partnering with Chicago Animal Care and Control to bring this clinic to the 48th Ward! This event is the first of its kind in Chicago! Bring your furry friends by Margate Park where the first 100 dogs will receive free vaccines and microchips! Dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier and attendees must be able to handle their pets around other animals.
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Free Vehicle Emissions Testing
- When: Saturday, April 11 from 10am-4pm
- Where: Ismaili Jamatkhana Parking Lot (6259 N Broadway)
- No RSVP required
The federal Clean Air Act requires most gasoline-fueled vehicles 4+ years old to get an emissions test every two years. Due for a smog check? Come by the Ismaili Jamatkhana parking lot for free emissions testing. We need volunteers! Email [email protected] to sign up to direct vehicles and assist with other aspects of this event.
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Eggs and Ears Bunny Photos and Egg Hunt
- When: Saturday, April 4 from 11am-1pm
- Where: Clarendon Community Center Park (4501 N Clarendon)
- No RSVP required
Join us for a free, family-friendly event with bunny photos for kids, adults, dogs, cats, and the whole family! This open-to-all community celebration will feature an egg hunt for the little ones!
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Community Easter Egg Hunt
- When: Saturday, April 4 from 10am-12pm
- Where: Swift Elementary (5900 N Winthrop)
- Learn more online.
All are welcome to this fun-filled community event, sponsored by First Free Church. Join your neighbors at Swift where eggs will be hidden throughout the grounds and light refreshments will be provided for parents/caregivers.
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Edgewater Environmental Coalition 2026 Volunteer Opportunities
48th Ward Neighbors are invited to join EEC for volunteering opportunities during the 2026 gardening season! All recurring events are now posted here. We also encourage you to subscribe to EEC's newsletter at the bottom of this page to stay tuned for one-off volunteering opportunities as the season progresses.
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District 13 Small Business Egg Hunt
Become a member State Representative-elect Demi Palecek's 13th District Eggsplorer's Club! Participating small businesses will host a basket of discount-filled eggs and an Eggsplorers Club stamp station. Community members hop between locations across the district, crack open eggs to claim exclusive discounts, and earn a stamp at each stop. Complete your card, and you're a full-fledged Eggsplorer - with a prize to prove it! Pick up punch cards at participating businesses and at the 48th Ward office beginning next week!
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Small Business De-Escalation Workshop
- When: Tuesday, April 7 from 6-9pm
- Where: 4704 N Broadway
- Register online.
Join us for a training led by Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self Defense for customer-facing small business employees on boundary setting, de-escalation, and safe intervention.
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Webinar: Updates to SNAP and Medicaid
- When: Monday, April 6 from 3:30-4:30pm
- Where: Virtual
- Register online.
The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth invites you to attend a virtual informational session on SNAP and Medicaid. A representative from Legal Aid Chicago will join virtually to present information on:
- New federal rules affecting SNAP/Medicaid beneficiaries
- IL state-level implementations enacted as of February 2026
- What to know and prepare for if you are enrolled in these programs
For questions and accommodations, please contact [email protected].
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Emergency Family Planning Workshop for CPS Parents
- When: Tuesday, April 7 from 6-7pm
- Where: Virtual
- Register online.
Join the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR) for a virtual event geared toward community members affected by recent immigration enforcement activities or interested in learning how to create a family emergency plan and how to prepare a temporary guardianship agreement in case of ICE detention.
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Chicago-Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Meeting
- When: Wednesday, April 8 from 10-11:30am
- Where: 118 N Clark Street (5th floor - Cook County Board of Commissioners Boardroom)
- Learn more about the CCVAW task force here.
In fall 2025, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth cosponsored and championed a resolution calling for the creation of the Chicago-Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women. The resolution was put forward in response to alarming new data that shows a sharp rise in domestic-related shootings and murders, and brings together multiple levels of government and community organizations to form a coordinated response to the crisis of violence against women and children. The resolution passed in November and the Task Force held its first meeting on January 7, 2026. See the full resolution on our blog.
For immediate assistance with gender-based violence, can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338. Neighbors are invited to attend the Chicago-Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women Task Force meetings. Other upcoming dates include:
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (10-11:30)
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 (10-11:30)
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Anti-Theft Steering Wheel Lock Giveaway
The 24th District will be giving away anti-theft steering wheel locks on a first-come first-served basis. To receive a lock, you must own a Honda or Acura and be a Chicago resident with a vehicle registered in the city. Register online here. If you are approved, you will receive an email from the 24th District CAPS office confirming your pickup.
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Become a COPA Community Mediator
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is seeking community mediators to help strengthen understanding between police and their communities. These mediators create safe, neutral spaces where everyone can speak and be heard to support dialogue between neighbors and police. Applicants should have at least 200 hours of mediation experience and have completed a 40 hour mediation skills training course. Fill out the interest form here.
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Uptown Know Your Rights Canvass
- When: Saturday, April 11 from 1-4pm
- Where: RSVP for location
- Register online.
Join the Northside Lakefront Rapid Response Team for canvassing to spread information about what to do during encounters with immigation enforcement officers.
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Virtual Immigration Briefing
- When: Tuesday, April 14 at 1pm
- Where: Virtual
- Register online.
Join the Committee on Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (CIRR) for a virtual briefing on recent immigration updates.
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Avoid Secretary of State Scam Texts
Scammers are targeting Illinoisans with fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State or DMV. These official‑looking texts are designed to frighten you into giving up your personal and financial information by threatening license suspension, registration holds, fines and even legal action. If you receive a message you believe is a scam:
- Don’t click any of the links.
- Don’t reply.
- Don’t provide personal or financial information.
- Delete the text
- Report the scam to [email protected]
The only texts alerts the Secretary of State’s office sends are appointment reminders. They will NEVER text you asking for money or personal information.
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20th District DUI Saturation Patrol Results
Last month, the Chicago Police Department 20th District conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol. According to CPD, the purpose of a DUI Saturation Patrol is to "saturate a pre-designated area with roving police officers that continually monitor vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving. Patrols also place emphasis on speed, alcohol-related and safety belt violations." The results of the DUI Saturation Patrol are below:
- 0 Driving Under the Influence
- 0 Unsafe Vehicle Violations
- 0 Open Liquor
- 2 Insurance Violations
- 1 Seat Belt Violations
- 0 Child Seat Violations
- 0 Suspended/Revoked
- 1 No Driver's License
- 0 Driver's License Violations
- 14 Speed Violations
- 1 Distracted Driving Violations
- 1 Stop Sign Violations
- 0 Traffic Violations (Other
- 20 Total Citations
- 0 Other Arrests
- 0 Vehicles Towed
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CLICK HERE to opt in to receive occasional crime alerts from our office. If you're having trouble with this link, you can also opt in by re-subscribing HERE and checking the box at the bottom of the form. Doing so will not alter or double your existing newsletter subscription.
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Submit Requests and Stay Informed with 311 and ChiStreetWork
For non-emergency city service requests, file a 311 report online, through the app, or by dialing 3-1-1. You can also search for and follow along with local city projects at chistreetwork.chicago.gov.
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Town Hall: Help Shape Chicago's Financial Future
- When: Tuesday, April 7 from 6-8pm
- Where: Truman College (1145 W Wilson)
- Register online.
The Chicago Financial Future Task Force is developing recommendations to support the city’s long-term financial stability and economic strength. They are launching a citywide engagement effort to ensure that residents across Chicago have an opportunity to share what matters most to them and help inform the Task Force’s recommendations. To share your input, take the online survey here or attend an upcoming town hall.
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April Ward Night Reminders
Please note that there will be no Ward Night meeting on Tuesday, April 7. We encourage neighbors to attend the Chicago Financial Future Task Force meeting at Truman College (see above). Join us for our next Ward Night meeting on Tuesday, April 21. Register here.
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City Clerk Amnesty Month
The Office of the City Clerk is bringing back City Sticker Amnesty Month! From Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 30, vehicle owners can purchase their City Sticker with no late fees and back charges. The City Clerk's Office is offering amnesty at three Mobile City Hall events and on the City Clerk’s 24/7 online store ezbuy.chicityclerk.com. Learn more and review frequently asked questions here.
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2026 Career & Internship Fair
- When: Wednesday, April 8 from 10am-1pm
- Where: Truman College (1145 W Wilson)
- Register online.
Join Equus Workforce Solutions and other partners to connect with employers from a range of industries and explore exciting job and internship opportunities.
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SAVE THE DATE: Lori Cannon Way Street Naming Ceremony
- When: Friday, May 22 at 10am
- Where: 5543 N Broadway
- No RSVP required
Join us in honoring the life and legacy of Lori Cannon, a beloved friend, 48th Ward neighbor, and LGBTQ+ activist. Lori spent her life fighting for the rights and recognition of people with HIV/AIDS, serving as the co-founder of ACT Up Chicago, an early volunteer for Chicago House, and a steering committee member for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. In 1985, she co-founded Groceryland (formerly Open Hand), a food pantry and meals on wheels service for low-income people with AIDS. She was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Face in 1994. If you knew Lori would like to speak at the street naming ceremony, please send an email to [email protected].
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SAVE THE DATES - Spring and Summer Events!
We can't wait to see everyone out and about at events across the ward this spring and summer! Here are just a few to add to your calendar:
- Toast of Uptown | April 26
- Andersonville Farmers Market | Starts May 13
- Renegade Andersonville | May 16 & 17
- Spring Wine Walk | May 17
- Edgewater Monday Market | Starts June 1
- Midsommarfest | June 12-14
- Pride Parade | June 28
- Argyle Night Market | Starts July 2
- Edgewater Music Fest | August 28-30
Many of these events are brought to you by your local chambers of commerce! We're fortunate to have three chambers in the 48th Ward: The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, and The Uptown Chamber of Commerce/Uptown United.
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Welcome Fried Egg Cafe on Bryn Mawr
Fried Egg Cafe is now open for business! Replacing the former Francesca's at 1039 W Bryn Mawr, Fried Egg Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch serving American classics. Please welcome owners Mike and Nick to the neighborhood!
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Hollywood House Announced as a 2025 DOH Funding Awardee
We are thrilled to announce that Hollywood House, a 198-unit senior affordable housing building located at 5700 N Sheridan, has been selected by the Department of Housing (DOH) to receive City assistance and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth advocated to secure the necessary funds for this project as part of our commitment to preserving affordable housing and improving the quality of life for all 48th Ward residents.
As one of only 15 projects throughout Chicago to be awarded this funding cycle, the Hollywood House owners are planning a major rehab of the building to improve the quality of life for existing residents. The percentage of affordable units in the building will increase from 90% to 100% and the percentage of deeply affordable units at 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) will increase from 0% to 5%. All developments awarded this type of funding must commit to at least 30 years of affordability for their tenants. The project will help modernize and update building systems and infrastructure without displacement of current residents.
Hollywood House is owned by Full Circle Communities, a non-profit affordable housing developer based in Chicago. Full Circle Communities acquired Hollywood House in 2024 via receivership after the dissolution of Heartland Housing.
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SSA #26 - Shaping the Future Together
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is working to renew Special Service Area (SSA) #26 and they need your input! For over 20 years, SSA #26 has invested in keeping the district vibrant, clean, and competitive. Now it’s time to plan for the next chapter. Take the survey online here. Learn more about SSA #26 and see its boundaries here.
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Help Shape the Future of Andersonville
Share what you like about Andersonville and what kinds of things would improve your experience. Your feedback will help Andersonville Special Service Area (SSA) #22 continue to make Andersonville a vibrant, welcoming, and inviting place. Click here to fill out the survey. Click here to learn more about SSA #22 and see a map of its boundaries.
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CHECK OUT THE 48th WARD CALENDAR
Never miss an event! See the calendar on our website for more exciting things happening in the ward. Fill out this form to have your own event listed.
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Construction season is just around the corner! Visit our blog here to review construction projects planned for the 48th Ward in 2026. Note that dates are subject to change. Have a question about one of the projects listed? Call us at 773-784-5277 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also search for and track the progress of local projects via ChiStreetWork.
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Ashland Arterial Resurfacing Update
A new traffic light has been installed at Berwyn on Ashland and is estimated to become fully operational this month! Additionally, concrete bus pads have been installed along Ashland. Keep an eye out for type 2 barricades and temporary lane shifts along Ashland from School to Montrose and Foster to Ridge as work near and at intersections is being completed.
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WHERE IN THE WARD IS LENI?
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Thanks to the neighbors who came to our office for Chicago Environmental Lobby Week! We talked about the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, alternatives for single-use plastics, bird-friendly design, and the 2027 Chicago budget. We encourage neighbors to continue reaching out to our office with environmental concerns and feedback, especially as we enter Earth Month! Want to get involved with sustainability efforts in the 48th Ward? Email [email protected] to learn more about our Green Council!
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Leni and Nicole recently attended the April meeting for Beat 2033. Beat meetings are a great way to get involved with public safety and community policing at the most local level. All meetings for beats in the 48th ward are listed on our blog. Find out what beat you live in using the map on this page or by searching your address here.
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Thank you to everyone at the North Uptown Neighbors Association (NUNA) for the kind invitation and lively conversation about public safety, development, infrastructure and other ward initiatives. Click here to invite Leni to present at your next event.
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