Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the ward’s 2025 Community Plan has been finalized and that a zoning change approving a dispensary at 3650 N Clark has been granted, following extensive community input. Street‑safety updates include temporary closures for CTA work on 900 Waveland/Grace, upcoming resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Pine Grove and Briar, the completion of Halsted arterial resurfacing, scheduled tree trimming, and a reminder to report potholes. Other highlights were Halloween festivities, a press conference condemning ICE activity, a Know‑Your‑Rights training for local businesses, and the final Saturday of the Nettelhorst French Market.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports that this week’s City Hall meeting with the Civic Federation focused on the FY 2026 budget proposal, and the public‑safety committee held a session on community resources and ICE response. The ward is reviewing several zoning‑change requests—including 3446 W. North Ave and 1118 N. California—while announcing a permanent northbound lane closure on California Avenue effective Oct. 31. Other highlights include the ASI Health & Workforce Development Center community meeting, the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall on Nov. 19, and a series of community events such as Parents for Peace and Justice’s holiday dinner and the Halloween Trunk‑or‑Treat celebration.
Al Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the office hosted a HUD‑108 meeting on financing for the Congress Theater, is urging residents to complete the 2026 budget survey, and is processing zoning inquiries for several properties, while a lobbying day in Springfield is underway to secure transit revenue for the ward. The newsletter also invites residents to RSVP for all zoning meetings, attend a Know‑Your‑Rights presentation on Nov 4, and participate in Rapid Response and Court‑Watch volunteer opportunities amid heightened ICE activity. Additional community updates include the annual Meet Me on Milwaukee event, pumpkin‑composting reminders, and public‑safety alerts for Halloween.
Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward announced a community meeting on October 30 to discuss the Fisk Coal Plant demolition, a key zoning and development issue for the ward. He also extended the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund deadline and expanded eligibility, a housing‑policy change that could provide $1,000 in one‑time assistance to residents. Additional updates include a State‑of‑the‑Ward presentation, a Trick‑or‑Treat event at the ward office on October 31, and a Day‑of‑the‑Dead altar open for the week.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward highlighted a recent budget hearing with CDOT Acting Commissioner Turner, where he questioned funding allocations for infrastructure projects, and referenced his comments on the mayor’s initial budget proposal. The newsletter also covered community events such as the record‑setting Streeterville dog‑Halloween parade, Halloween safety tips, the completion of the Chicago Avenue Underpass mural restoration, and upcoming volunteer opportunities including a Lake Shore and Seneca Parks fall cleanup. Additional updates included reminders about Daylight Saving Time, street‑sweeping schedules, and various local gatherings such as the RNRA Annual Meeting and Halloween trick‑or‑treat in Old Town.
The 1st‑Ward newsletter contains no meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street‑safety projects. It focuses on ICE activity in West Town, urging residents to report sightings, offering Know Your Rights resources, and announcing a workshop for business owners on Nov. 4. Alderman La Spata notes the office will be closed Sept. 27, and encourages residents to register for the workshop and visit the office for signs and volunteer opportunities.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward informs residents that a television series will film in Old Town from Oct 26‑28 2025, with specific parking restrictions and no‑parking/tow zones on certain streets. The notice details the affected streets and provides contact information for the location manager and the Chicago Film Office. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are announced.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that budget season has begun, with a briefing from the Better Government Association and plans to issue a community survey on proposed taxes. She also highlighted the ward’s zoning intake process, noting current requests for changes at several properties and the upcoming community‑input meetings. Outside of budget and zoning, the newsletter covered a Ward Night at Dope Drip Café, a Senior Wellness Fair at Humboldt Park, and Halloween community events.
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez of the 33rd Ward announced a meeting with local groups to review Mayor Johnson’s proposed budget, stressing a shift of fiscal responsibility away from low‑income residents. She also highlighted the community‑driven zoning review for 3240 W Lawrence Ave (B1‑2 to B2‑5 change request) and the upcoming Participatory Budgeting All‑Community Meeting on Oct. 27. Other key updates include the closure of the Von Steuben Fall Festival, the launch of a rapid‑response volunteer network, and the Halloween Decoration Contest deadline on Oct. 26.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reports that CTA will close Waveland and Grace from Oct 24‑27 for overhead rail construction, and that additional Red Line work will affect access between Addison and Grace through September‑October, impacting transit service. Street‑safety projects include the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing from Clark to Waveland, scheduled resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Briar, and Pine Grove streets, and an alley reconstruction on Waveland and Grace, all of which will involve temporary parking restrictions. Other highlights include a community ICE whistle‑packing event, a new Korean‑fusion bakery opening at 1360 W Belmont, and a series of Halloween celebrations such as the Lakeview East Little Monsters Crawl and the 28th Annual Haunted Halsted Parade.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward highlights the 2026 budget, noting a proposed twelve‑month hiring freeze, cuts to pension contributions, and the use of bonds for operating costs—issues that will shape city services and infrastructure spending. He also outlines participatory‑budgeting priorities for 2026, including an all‑way pedestrian scramble at North, Milwaukee, and Damen, improved pedestrian infrastructure at Cortland and Western, school‑safety‑zone upgrades near St. John Berchmans and Brentano Elementary, and the installation of the city’s first automated public bathroom. The newsletter closes with reminders to fill out the budget survey, volunteer for the final Meet Me On Milwaukee event, register for a Know‑Your‑Rights presentation, and attend a virtual meeting on the Logan Square Skate Park redesign, while noting the release of CDOT’s 2025 Traffic Crashes Annual Report.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports no zoning, development, or budget changes this month; the newsletter focuses on community safety with updates on a Gold Coast shooting, a domestic‑violence task force, and the opening of a new fitness studio. He also highlighted upcoming events such as Congressman Quigley’s town hall, DePaul Days, and various local community gatherings.
No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes are announced in this issue. The 46th‑Ward alderwoman, Angela Clay, invites residents to a community forum on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Truman College McKeon Lobby to discuss ICE activity, share rapid‑response resources, and strengthen neighborhood solidarity and safety. Registration is capped at 250 people and must be completed online. The newsletter also includes standard contact and social‑media links for the ward.
The 25th Ward newsletter from Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez highlights no new zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes. It announces an extension of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund deadline to October 31 and invites residents to a community clean‑up on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the corner of 18th St. & Blue Island Ave. The message also thanks attendees of the recent State of the Ward meeting, Halloween Block Party with New Life Centers, and the Pumpkin Patch at Dvorak Park, underscoring ongoing community engagement.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced the upcoming budget meetings following the mayor’s 2025 budget address and a public hearing on October 22 for the proposed landmark designation of the Humboldt and Sacramento Extension to the Logan Square Boulevards District, while the ward’s zoning office is reviewing several property‑change requests. The newsletter also highlighted street‑safety initiatives such as the 26th Ward lighting improvements and CDOT street‑work updates, and promoted community events including the Halloween Fest, Senior Wellness Fair, and Pop‑Up Ward Night. Additional highlights include the “Signs and Whistles” ICE‑watch program, the Home Owner Relief Fund event, and a range of youth and job‑opportunity resources.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward reports no upcoming meetings or policy changes related to zoning, housing, transit, or budget. He highlights a public‑safety alert: a drive‑by shooting at Gold Coast Social on North Dearborn and West Division, and has formally requested a summary closure of the nightclub due to repeated late‑hour nuisance activity. The incident underscores his ongoing efforts to address violent activity linked to late‑hour tavern licenses in the neighborhood.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced the expansion of the ADU ordinance to 19 additional wards and co‑sponsored an Emergency Community Meeting on October 20, while the mayor’s budget address highlighted no property‑tax increase and new revenue and spending proposals. Transit infrastructure updates include CTA work that will close Waveland and Grace and affect the Red Line tracks, as well as street‑resurfacing projects on Halsted, Cornelia, Hawthorne, Briar, and Pine Grove. Other community highlights include the opening of Sushi Box and Just Salad, the Chicago Marathon, Halloween festivities, Diwali celebrations, and the 61st Chicago International Film Festival.
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez reports that the Committee on Finance and City Council approved TIF funding for park improvements at River Park and Ronan Park, and Mayor Johnson’s 2025 budget proposal—highlighted in the newsletter—introduces new revenue sources such as a corporate head tax and a social‑media tax while explicitly excluding new property or grocery taxes. A zoning change is underway for 3240 W Lawrence Ave, converting a B1‑2 to B2‑5, and the ward is hosting public meetings and input surveys on zoning and development. The newsletter also lists a series of community events, including Halloween festivals, a participatory‑budgeting meeting, and a “Neighbor Night” to engage residents.
The 25th Ward’s State of the Ward meeting on Oct. 16 will review the 2026 City Budget, the only meeting‑type item in this newsletter. Other community events include a free shredding session and a Halloween block party on Oct. 17, a Southwest Side Solidarity Training on Oct. 18, and a pumpkin patch at Dvorak Park the same day. The newsletter is issued by Alderman Byron Sigcho‑Lopez of the 25th Ward.
Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward announced that the mayor’s budget address and the initial draft will be released this week, and he plans to scrutinize the budget to ensure it reflects ward priorities. He also launched an ICE‑Free Zones signage initiative to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement and urged community support. The newsletter promoted local events—including Boo‑Palooza, volunteer opportunities for the final Meet‑Me‑On‑Milwaukee, a property‑tax appeal seminar, and the BGA Budget Snapshots release.