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48th WARD NEWS: MARCH 12, 2026
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PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING 2026 WINNERS!
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For the third year in a row, you voted to let us know how we should spend our public infrastructure budget! This year, we received a total of 1,277 votes (a 300+ increase from 2025!) The winning projects you selected are:
- School Pedestrian Safety
- Project Sidewalk
- Swift Nature Play Area
- Lakefront Trail Placemaking
- Residential Pedestrian Safety
- Public Art
Read more about these projects here.
In previous PB cycles, neighbors voted to allocate 20% ($200,000) of the total $1 million for general repairs and resurfacing, leaving $800,000 for special projects. To select winners, we approve the top-voted projects until we get as close to that 800K as we can without going over. This year, the winning six projects above add up to about $600,000 in infrastructure costs. Any additional funds will be put toward repairing our sidewalks, streets, and alleys to keep us all safe!
We want to bring PB engagement opportunities directly to you. Interested in hosting your own PB 2027 community engagement meeting where you can propose and discuss project ideas? Reach out to [email protected]. We’ll get back to you about hosting a meeting some time in the fall.
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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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48th Ward ICASH Mobile Event
- When: Monday, March 16 from 9:30am-12:30pm
- Where: 48th Ward Office (1129 W Bryn Mawr)
- No RSVP required.
The State Treasurer is currently holding $5B in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans. Drop into the ward office to see what you’re owed! A representative from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will be available to help return any funds owed to you through the I-CASH program at no cost. Last year, 48th Ward residents claimed roughly $10,000 at this event!
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Shred, Electronics, and Prescription Meds Recycling Event
- When: Saturday, March 21 from 11am-2pm
- Where: 5853 N Broadway
- No RSVP required
Join us at 5853 N Broadway to shred your personal documents, recycle small electronics, and get rid of old prescription medications. Please remove binder clips from shreddable materials. Because shredded paper cannot be recycled, we also encourage you to separate your documents, shred the sheets with personal information, and recycle the rest! Email [email protected] with questions.
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Vote in the March 17 Primary Election
Have you made a plan to vote? The 2026 Primary Elections are this coming Tuesday, March 17. Visit our blog to learn more about registering to vote and voting in person. For easy access to a map of 48th ward precinct polling sites, click here.
Early voting has begun in all 50 wards. Our 48th Ward early voting site is located at the Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway). Its hours are:
- Weekdays: 9am-7pm
- Saturday: 9am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-4pm
Any Chicago resident can vote at any early voting site. Learn more about early voting here.
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Join us at the Final Edgewater Indoor Market of 2026!
- When: Saturday, March 14 from 10am-2pm
- Where: Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway)
- Learn more online.
The Edgewater Indoor Market has had an incredible second season with over 70 vendors and hundreds of attendees! There's still one more weekend left to check out the largest indoor market on the North Side, so drop by between 10am-2pm to shop local food and products. While you're there, be sure to visit the 48th ward team at our table!
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Meet Principal Alhasoon!
48th Ward Principal Margaret Alhasoon was featured in the Principal Spotlight of School Leader magazine. You can read more about her incredible work at Swift Elementary here: School Leader Magazine Winter 2026. Congratulations, Principal Alhasoon!
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Property Tax Exemptions Assistance
Property tax exemptions are savings that contribute to lowering a homeowner’s property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which saves a Cook County property owner an average of approximately $950 dollars each year. Read about each exemption online here. The filing period for Tax Year 2025 Exemptions opened on Monday, March 9. Access exemptions information and assistance at these events:
Truman College
- Monday, March 23 from 5-8pm
- Truman College (1145 W Wilson)
Virtual
- ENGLISH: Wednesday, March 25 from 6-7pm
- SPANISH: Thursday, March 26 from 6-7pm
- Stream on Facebook or YouTube.
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Flooding Prevention & Spring Storm Reminders
Spring is right around the corner and we're already starting to see the rain! Visit our blog to learn about overflow action days, flooding prevention, and water on street/emergency tree reporting.
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Ward Night Canceled - March 17, 2026
In order to encourage everyone to vote in the primary elections, there will be no Ward Night meeting on Tuesday, March 17. To review notes from our March 3 Ward Night meeting, click here. To register for our next Ward Night meeting (Tuesday, April 7), click here.
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Take the SSA #26 Renewal Survey
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 Broadway and adjacent business districts in Edgewater vibrant, clean, and competitive. Now it’s time to plan for the next chapter.
SSA-funded projects include but are not limited to: public way maintenance (such as garbage cans), beautification, district marketing, business retention, special events, and façade improvements. Take the survey online here to share your feedback and let the chamber know what you want to see in SSA #26.
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Share Feedback on Initial Emanuel Congregation Plans by March 13
On Thursday, February 26, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth hosted an in-person community meeting about proposed development plans for the Emanuel Congregation Synagogue. Over 170 neighbors attended to hear about initial plans for 5959/5965 N Sheridan and 5948 N Sheridan. Read more and access the presentation on our blog. Please submit feedback via our online feedback form for these initial plans by Friday, March 13.
The Alderwoman is not ready to make a zoning change decision after this feedback period closes. Instead, she will be reviewing the community feedback with Emanuel and asking them to come back with a final proposal incorporating the feedback. Once we have the final proposal, we'll have another community meeting and feedback period. We aim to provide 2-3 weeks notice for the next community meeting for this project.
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Zenwich is now open on Thorndale!
We're so excited to welcome Zenwich to their new space at 1124 W Thorndale! The popular sandwich shop features Asian flavors and what chef Chai Ploentham calls “borderless cuisine." Check out their menu online here. Learn more about our ongoing work to revitalize the Thorndale Commercial Corridor here.
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Reader Best of Chicago 2025 - 48th Ward Winners!
Congratulations to the 35 businesses and organizations in the 48th ward that won their categories in the Chicago Reader's Best of 2025 poll! The great 48 had winners across multiple categories including Arts & Culture, Buy Local, Food & Drink, and more! Check them out on our blog here.
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Landmarking the Bryn Mawr Historic District
Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth has given the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) the green light to move forward with landmarking the Bryn Mawr Historic District. The Bryn Mawr corridor is a cultural and architectural treasure, and we are taking an important step towards protecting this important piece of Edgewater and Chicago history for generations to come.
Since early 2025, we've worked with DPD to explore the feasibility of landmarking this section of Bryn Mawr and met with Bryn Mawr property owners to brief them on the benefits, impacts, and responsibilities of the designation. Next, we’ll make our case to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) on April 2. Thank you to our Bryn Mawr Alliance volunteers, Landmarks Illinois, and the Edgewater Historical Society for their assistance in our community engagement and property owner outreach efforts. Read more on our blog.
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Loyola University Construction Reminders
Throughout this month, Loyola University is positioning IT conduits, working on the facade at 6347 N Broadway, and installing utility connections to the public right of way. This work will affect alley access between 7am and 4pm most days and may impact traffic on northbound Broadway between 6317 N Broadway and W Sheridan.
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20th District Computer Hardware Recycling Event
- When: Thursday, March 21 from 10am-1pm
- Where: 20th District Police Station (5400 N Lincoln)
- No RSVP required
Recycle computer hardware and other electronics at the 20th District Police station. Accepted items include desktop monitors, mobile devices, printers, tablets, batteries, keyboards, coffee machines, and more.
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Support for Unhoused Neighbors
Our office is continuing our work to house and provide resources for our unhoused neighbors throughout the Ward. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Homeless Outreach Prevention (HOP) teams are in our Ward every week assessing and placing people into housing as units become available. DFSS HOP teams also offer a variety of temporary shelter options. In addition to DFSS outreach, the Department of Public Health (CDPH) is regularly offering substance abuse case management and resources to those who need them. Through these efforts we are proud to have housed over 70 people living in tents along our lakefront.
We will continue this coordinated approach with our partners to sustainably address our national housing crisis and while keeping parks accessible; litter abatement and debris removal is scheduled for the Meadows on March 13 and the lakefront on March 18 and 19. These monthly cleanups are part of a collaborative effort to ensure cleanliness and accessibility to our parks while we assist those in need of housing support. We also work with our partners to conduct small-scale emergency litter abatement as needed. Learn more about this work on our blog.
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Bridges to Health - Community Wellness Event
- When: Saturday, March 14 from 10am-1pm
- Where: Loyola Student Center (1032 W Sheridan)
- RSVP online.
Bridges to Health is a free community wellness event connecting individuals and families to local health resources, education, and support. Connect with local organizations, access free health screenings, participate in activities, and more.
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Emanuel Congregation Blood Drive
- When: Sunday, March 15 from 9:15am-1:45pm
- Where: Emanuel Congregation - Thorndale lot (5959 N Sheridan)
- Register online.
Roll up your sleeve and be someone’s lucky charm! Your donation can make all the difference for patients in need. Giving blood is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to care for others in our community. In just about an hour, you can help save lives, bring comfort to families, and offer hope to patients facing serious illness or injury.
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Check Out the 24th Police District Newsletter
The 24th Police District (which includes the 48th ward north of Thorndale) has launched a weekly newsletter. It is available to view on the 24th District Facebook, Instagram, and X pages.
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Attend Your Next Beat Meeting
Want to get involved with public safety in your neighborhood? Attend a 20th or 24th district beat meeting! All meetings for beats in the 48th ward are listed in the image above, on our blog, and on our community calendar. Find out what beat you live using the map on this page or by searching your address here.
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24th District Council Monthly Meeting
- When: Sunday, March 22 at 3pm
- Where: TBD
- No RSVP required
Are you interested in public safety? Looking for a way to get involved in community safety initiatives? Attend your next local district council meeting and join the conversation! Each district council is made up of three people elected by their community to build stronger relationships with police. The more people who participate in this vital community policing process, the more effective it can be. Thank you for working with us to build a safe and healthy neighborhood where we can all thrive.
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CCPSA Monthly Meeting
- When: Thursday, March 26 at 6:30pm
- Where: George Washington High School (3535 E 114th St)
- RSVP information coming soon
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is an independent, seven-member civilian body that oversees the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Police Board. Join the CCPSA on March 26 for their monthly meeting.
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Coyote Safety Reminders
It's coyote season and our office has received reports of sightings in the ward, especially along the lakefront! Coyote attacks are rare and increased sightings are generally a good sign of a healthy ecosystem. Still, it's important to know what to do if you encounter a coyote in your neighborhood.
- Don't run. Instead, make yourself appear larger by raising your arms above your head. Pick up any small pets to ensure that they don't run either.
- Make loud noises. Remember, coyotes are more afraid of you than you are of them.
- Do not feed coyotes.
To learn more about staying safe during coyote encounters here.
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Avoid Secretary of State Text Phishing Scams
The Secretary of State's office would like to remind everyone that they do not send texts related to vehicle registration, driving privileges, or enforcement actions. If you receive a "final notice" text claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State, this is a scam. Do not click on any links included in these messages. If you're unsure whether a text you've received is fraudulent, you contact the Secretary of State's office at 1-800-252-8980.
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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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WHERE IN THE WARD IS LENI?
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Over the weekend, Philadelphia Church celebrated its 100th anniversary! The church has Swedish roots and in 1927 chose the English name Philadelphia which means “brotherly love.” Because of its global mission and its location in Edgewater, the church has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants of many cultures and now offers services in English and Spanish. Leni had the privilege of joining Pastor Cali and congregants for the celebrations and honoring Philadelphia Church with a resolution which you can read in full here.
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On Monday, Leni joined The Local Lab Collective at The Understudy for performances by local artists in response to the 250th anniversary of the USA. The artists' work touched on civic engagement and the importance of voting, and the event served to inform our neighbor about upcoming local elections. Thanks for having us!
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Leni joined Philippine Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano for an event to launch the Consulate's "80 for 80" Project, recognizing Filipina and Filipina-American women leaders in the midwest. Leni was among 30 women leaders in attendance at this Women's History Month event.
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Leni had a blast at her Second City stage debut over the weekend! She joined Audrey Wennink, senior director at the Metropolitan Planning Council for Safe Streets: a sketch, improv, and interview "educomedy" show about the problems with walking and driving in Chicago and how we can fix them.
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