In November 2023, I challenged city leaders to work with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for a new outreach program called VetConnect.  The premise was simple: open our doors to any Veteran that needed help obtaining any of the benefits owed to them!

In the years following that challenge, not only did several aldermen become permanent participants but also many other local municipalities and office holders.  Together, we connected thousands of Veterans with assistance on rent, mortgage, utilities as well as workforce development, and claims & benefit support.  The economic impact on our local economy was measurably and life-saving.

VetConnect has become a staple for many communities across Chicago – including here in the 15th Ward where it all began.  We have seen the inclusion of the city’s Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs as well as the Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission.  That growth and coordination in supporting our Veterans produced many life-changing encounters.  In one instance, a disabled Vietnam Veteran unsuccessfully attempted to navigate the VA bureaucracy decades ago.  Unable to get help, he assumed his owed benefits were beyond his grasp.  After a few meetings with the VetConnect team, he was not only able to get his applications approved but also received backpay going back several decades.

Those are the types of Veteran outcomes we need more locally, regionally and nationally.

I am pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Cook County Veterans Assistance and the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, we will be continuing VetConnect through 2026.  Representatives will be available every first Friday of the month from 12:00p – 3:00p to assist any Veteran (regardless of residency) with their needs.  No appointment is necessary.

For more information, please contact the 15th Ward Service Office at 773-823-1539.

Alderman Raymond A. Lopez recently met with the leadership team at the Chicago Board of Elections to discuss the continued importance of election security, transparency, and voter accessibility across the city. During the visit, Alderman Lopez and staff were given a behind-the-scenes look at historic election equipment and learned more about how Chicago elections have evolved over the past century.

One of the highlights of the visit was viewing a preserved ballot box first introduced in 1932. This historic box was used during the presidential election that brought Franklin D. Roosevelt to office and later served voters in numerous Chicago elections. The artifact serves as a reminder of the city’s long-standing democratic traditions and the generations of Chicagoans who have participated in shaping local, state, and national leadership.

Alderman Lopez expressed appreciation for the Board’s work to maintain secure and fair elections while continuing to modernize voting systems to meet the needs of today’s voters. The visit reinforced the Ward Office’s commitment to supporting voter engagement and ensuring residents remain informed about their rights and opportunities to participate in the democratic process.

If you witness any criminal activity or notice suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, please report it immediately. Call 911 first to ensure a timely response from the Chicago Police Department, and then notify the 15th Ward Office at (773) 823-1539 so we can follow up and provide support where needed. Your vigilance and cooperation play a vital role in keeping our community safe. Together, we can make the 15th Ward a safer place for all.

In 2025, the 15th Ward saw a 44% increase in calls for abandoned automobiles.  An abandoned vehicle, in accordance with the law, is any vehicle that has not moved in ten consecutive days.  This is a growing problem not just in the ward but in the City of Chicago as a whole.

There are multiple factors leading to the increase.  However, as we work on the local and state levels to address some of the root causes, I must address the negative impacts on the quality of life these vehicles cause on a block.  They are unsightly.  They take up precious parking space in many neighborhoods already dealing with high density.  They create environmental challenges if they are leaking fluids.

Recently, on one block in Gage Park, residents have asked about Residential Permit Parking.  This would restrict parking to residents on that particular block and require those same residents to pay an additional $25 per vehicle.   Recent snowfalls have allowed us to identify vehicles that have not moved for several days.  Further investigation shows that they now qualify for enforcement action.  Their removal from the block will definitely ease the parking pressures on that block.

I cannot rely on snow to identify the cars that never move.  Residents on a block know exactly which car(s) never move and who they belong to.  I need your help to identify these vehicles.  To report abandoned vehicles on your block, call the 15th Ward Service Office at 773-823-1539 with a simple description and location.  We will handle the rest anonymously.

In 2025, the 15th Ward saw a 19% increase in calls for rodent baiting in alleys throughout all six communities I represent.  Often it feels like we are waging a losing battle against the rat population in our alleys.

The reality is simple: the city simply cannot poison our way out of this situation.  Residents need to do their part, especially when it comes to garbage.  All garbage must be placed in a closed container, either a garbage cart or dumpster.  If the lid doesn’t close or the garbage is somehow accessible, rats will have a food source.

My Ward Superintendent has resumed surveying communities for sanitation violations related to garbage.  Tickets will be issued to any property that fails to properly dispose of garbage.

Property owners with private disposal service should ensure they have the appropriate size & pickups for the size of the building.  Properties that have city alley service should report any issues with broken carts to the 15th Ward Service Office at 773-823-1539 to avoid potential citations.

Alderman Raymond Lopez has issued a clear directive to remove dibs throughout the 15th Ward. In coordination with this directive, the Ward Superintendent and City garbage crews have been actively sweeping neighborhood streets to remove items used to improperly reserve public parking spaces.

These efforts are ongoing and will continue across the ward to ensure fair access to street parking, improve public safety, and keep our blocks clean and accessible for all residents. Alderman Lopez remains committed to consistent enforcement and maintaining orderly, respectful use of public streets.

As your Alderman, I want to remind 15th Ward residents that you may now apply online to Vote By Mail for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election. Vote By Mail offers a convenient and secure way to participate in our democratic process from the comfort of your home. Voters may select one ballot type—Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, or Non-Partisan (referenda only)—as required under Illinois law.

Please read this important update from the Chicago Board of Elections regarding the return of ballots.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Exelon Foundation STEM Academy and Boys to STEM Academy summer programs. These free, week-long, residential programs are designed to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM leaders through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math careers.

Application Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026

Families and students are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of upcoming information sessions to learn more about program eligibility, curriculum, and the application process.

STEM Academy Information Sessions

January 20 | 6:00–6:45 PM (CT)

March 3 | 5:00–5:45 PM (CT)

Boys to STEM Academy Information Sessions

January 20 | 5:00–5:45 PM (CT)

March 3 | 6:00–6:45 PM (CT)

The Exelon Foundation also offers a limited number of STEM Ambassadors who can attend local community events to share program details and answer questions.

For additional information, application materials, and promotional flyers (available in English and Spanish), please contact our office or visit the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy webpage.

We encourage families, educators, and community organizations to share this opportunity and help connect students with this exceptional STEM experience.

Com-Ed Municipal Customer Experience Survey

2026 CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy

Alderman Raymond Lopez is pleased to share that the Chicago Park District is offering a new round of Veteran and Military Programs this winter, running from early January through mid-March. These programs provide veterans and active-duty service members with opportunities to stay active, build community, and support overall wellness through professionally led recreational and fitness activities at local park facilities.

All equipment is provided, and programs are offered in a supportive, welcoming environment. Registration is required, and participants must provide proof of military service. Veterans and service members interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance and contact the program coordinators for additional details.

Chicago’s Food Scrap Drop-Off Program makes it easy for residents to compost food waste and reduce what goes into our landfills. Items like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells can be dropped off at designated neighborhood sites at no cost.

This simple step helps cut down on odors and pests, reduces methane emissions, and supports the production of compost used in parks and green spaces across the city.

I encourage residents of the 15th Ward to participate by bringing food scraps in a reusable container and following posted site guidelines. Together, we can keep our neighborhoods cleaner and make Chicago a more sustainable city.

Drop Off Map