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The 25th Ward alderman announced that the City of Chicago’s 2026 budget, approved at $16.6 billion, will fund youth jobs, the CARE program, early‑childhood worker contracts, CDPH, and police vacancy redirection, while also imposing new fees on shopping bags, liquor, ride‑share services and gaming starting Jan 1. The alderman rejected an alternative proposal that would have added fees on working families and small businesses and lacked police oversight. Residents are invited to attend the Cafe con Concejal on Jan 17, the Mental Health Summit on Jan 24, and the first community meeting on Jan 31, and can participate in holiday recycling programs for lights and trees through early January.

The Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy (EPE) highlighted a busy 2025, noting the approval of Shoreline Advisory Board appointees, passage of Green Social Housing, and the Heat Protections Ordinance, while the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance was referred to the Zoning Committee and the first Shoreline Advisory Board meeting took place. Throughout the year, EPE held multiple subject‑matter hearings on public health enforcement, utility regulation, single‑use plastics, and bird‑friendly design, and expanded community outreach with quarterly Northside Green Mixers, a new social media presence, and reaching 100 followers. Looking ahead to 2026, the committee plans to deepen engagement with environmental justice leaders and build city‑wide connections, as announced in a staff‑made video preview.

The 45th Ward office will be closed on New Year’s Day with no garbage collection, and residents are urged to avoid CTA rides after sundown until safety improvements are made. The State/Lake Loop station will close on Jan 5 2026 for a modern replacement, and the CPS Board has approved a property‑tax hike to close the city budget gap. In addition, the ward highlights the first‑ever Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve event in Chicago, the launch of a new owners’ plan for Paterno’s Pizza, and several community‑support programs such as the Christmas‑tree recycling and the “You Name a Snowplow” contest.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden thanks constituents for a resilient 2025, noting challenges such as ICE activity, a federal shutdown, and an unprecedented budget process, and highlights the community’s unity. She announces the office will be closed until January 7, with staff returning on January 5 for a two‑day development meeting to prepare for 2026. A 2025 Year‑in‑Review video and staff‑highlight updates are also shared, along with her office’s contact and social‑media information.

Alderman Debra Silverstein highlighted the 50th Ward’s resilience amid rising hate crimes, launching immigrant‑rights resources, public hearings on antisemitism, and a new digital portal for community alerts. Major infrastructure projects included rebuilding the Indian Boundary Playground, adding a nature play space at Stone Academy, resurfacing streets, installing piggyback streetlights, and commissioning public artwork. The year also saw community‑focused events—Movie in the Park, a job fair, property‑tax appeal workshops, and recycling drives—while the office completed thousands of city service requests.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato thanks 38th‑Ward residents for generous donations to local charities and announces that city services will be suspended on New Year’s Day, with the ward office closed until January 5. He highlights a newly adopted rescue dog, promotes a local Ukrainian‑inspired restaurant, and lists several police, plumbing, and paramedic job openings available through the city’s online portal.

Only one day remains for 40th Ward residents aged 14 and older to vote on the 2026 People’s Budget, which allocates $1 million for local infrastructure improvements. The deadline is December 31, and voters can cast their ballots online at 40thward.org/2026PB. This final reminder urges community members to use their voice before the voting window closes.

The 48th Ward completed over 15,000 service requests and hosted 65+ community events, while Participatory Budgeting allocated $1 million of taxpayer dollars to local infrastructure. Key policy wins include the Green Social Housing program, a $135 million revolving loan fund, the ADU expansion ordinance for 12 districts, and the Low Affordability Community designation, all aimed at boosting affordable housing. Safety improvements saw violent crime drop 29%, 31 people were moved from tents to permanent housing, 100 lead service lines were replaced, and four new fully accessible CTA stations opened, underscoring the ward’s focus on public safety and infrastructure.