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48th WARD NEWS: MARCH 26, 2026
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Every year, on March 31, we observe Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV). TDOV is a celebration, an awareness-raising campaign, and a call to action all in one. We celebrate the transgender members of our communities, past and present. We spread information loudly and broadly about the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence trans people face. We call on each other and on people in positions of power to prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of our trans siblings. Learn more about TDOV here.
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Celebrate Trans Visibility with Chicago Therapy Collective
Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) believes visibility must include mental health. Many of the challenges trans and nonbinary people face remain unseen, from barriers to care to the emotional impact of discrimination. As Illinois’ largest LGBTQ+ mental health nonprofit, they are committed to expanding access to affirming, community-centered care across the state. Join CTC and community partners at the following events to celebrate and create space for trans wellness, advocacy, and community building:
- Thursday, March 26 | 11am-4pm: Life is Work's Trans Day of Visibility Observance
- Friday, March 27 | 10am-4pm: Chicago Voices for Empowerment with CTC and CCHR
- Monday, March 30 | 6-7:30pm: LGBTQ+ Mental Health Policy and Legislation Town Hall
- Saturday, April 4 | 1pm: Rally for Trans Visibility with CTC, Equality IL, Trans Upfront, and Life is Work
For more information, contact Chicago Therapy Collective online here.
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Flooding Prevention & Spring Storm Reminders
Spring is right around the corner and we're already seeing the storm! Visit our blog to learn about overflow action days, flooding prevention, and water on street/emergency tree reporting.
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20th District Vehicle Theft Prevention Event
- When: Saturday, March 28 from 10am-1pm
- Where: 20th District Police Station (5400 N Lincoln)
- No RSVP required
Come by the 20th District Station for information regarding recent incidents of motor vehicle and air bag theft and other resources for protecting your property. The first six community members to arrive will receive a free vehicle theft prevention device.
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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 events@duckworth.senate.gov.
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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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Avoid Fraudulent Texts from Cook County Circuit Court
Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulous would like to remind everyone that her office does not send text notices of court hearings or traffic violations. If you receive this kind of text from the Clerk's office, please do not scan QR codes or share any personal information. To verify the safety of any suspicious messages, contact the Clerk's office here.
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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 while keeping parks accessible. 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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Senator Simmons Mutual Aid Drive
State Senator Mike Simmons is accepting donations of non-perishable food, reusable grocery bags, and new toiletries/diapers/cleaning supplies at his office (1040 W Bryn Mawr). See the full donation wish list in the images above or at the bottom of our blog here.
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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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Statement on Ordinance to Freeze the Subminimum Wage
The historic One Fair Wage Ordinance was passed in 2023 by the Chicago City Council, phasing out the tipped wage credit for tipped workers over a 5-year period. The legislation stated that the wages of tipped workers such as restaurant servers, bartenders, bussers and runners who earned a subminimum wage of $11.02 per hour would increase by 8 percent per year until they equal Chicago’s standard hourly minimum wage.
Earlier this month, Ald. Samantha Nugent introduced an ordinance to freeze the subminimum wage at roughly three quarters of the minimum wage for other Chicago workers.
It’s worth noting that, according to research from 2024, 62% of Chicago restaurant workers are already making the full minimum wage before tips. As a result, an 8% increase for remaining workers yields a roughly 3% increase in labor costs for the entire industry which is very close to annual inflation.
With the cost of living rising, everyone is feeling the squeeze. Tipped workers in our city are struggling to make a living as tips often fail to bring folks up to the full minimum wage. I voted no on this ordinance because in difficult times, it’s important that we fight to protect the pay of the most vulnerable members of our workforce just like we did when we passed the One Fair Wage ordinance in 2023.
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Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
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My Chi, My Future Teen Bash
- When: Saturday, March 28 from 12-4pm
- Where: Navy Pier - Aon Grand Ballroom (840 E Grand)
- Register online.
The My Chi, My Future Teen Bash is a celebratory event for teens ages 13-19 at Navy Pier. This FREE event will feature live music, free foods, giveaways, video games, and more!
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2026 Street Sweeping Schedule
Chicago uses mechanical street sweepers to remove debris and litter from streets every year beginning April 1! Visit our blog to find your street cleaning section and determine when your area will be swept.
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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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March is Women's History Month
This month, join us in celebrating the contributions of women—past, present, and future—to the City of Chicago and the 48th Ward. Visit our blog for resources from the Chicago Public Library, recommendations from Choose Chicago, and look back at the women leaders who helped shape Chicago's ward system.
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TaxSmart MCC Program
TaxSmart is a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program administered by the Department of Housing that provides a federal income tax credit to qualified homebuyers. An MCC is an official document issued by the City of Chicago, pursuant to federal law and regulation, for homebuyers who meet certain income criteria and home purchase price limits. Homebuyers must be purchasing their first home or buying a home in an economically troubled census tract known as a target area.
First-time homebuyers must receive HUD-approved in-person pre-purchase counseling to be eligible and must provide a certificate of completion of pre-purchase counseling with their TaxSmart application. Online counseling is not acceptable. Learn more about eligibility online here.
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48th Ward Pothole Watch
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. Help us out by reporting any you see to 311.
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48th Ward Neighbors Claimed $5,00+ Through ICASH!
The State Treasurer is holding more than 5 billion dollars in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans. The State holds these lost funds until they are claimed by either the original owner or their heirs. Last week, we held an ICASH event at our office with representatives from the IL Treasurer's Office who helped our neighbors claim $5,470 in funds! Complete the process online here to discover what's yours.
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Chicago Park District Participatory Budgeting Deadline Approaching
For the first time in its history, the Chicago Park District is conducting their own citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB) process to deepen community engagement, increase transparency in public spending, and strengthen resident trust in park planning and resource allocation.
Residents, park users, and community stakeholders are invited to submit specific park improvement ideas for parks across the city. As a goal of this initial pilot program, the District intends to advance approximately nine (9) proposed projects with an estimated value of roughly $50,000 each. Learn more and submit your ideas online here by Tuesday, March 31.
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Development Update: 5252 N Broadway
New apartment units are coming to the historic Davis on Broadway building at 5252 N Broadway! Under this by-right development project, Esteep (new ownership) plans to retain current ground-floor retail spaces and uses, including the popular Lost Hours coffee shop. The exterior of the building will be preserved and will undergo tuckpointing and other repairs and restoration.
The second and third floors have long been vacant and will now undergo extensive rehab to be converted into 14 family-sized, all-electric apartment units. The unit mix includes 10 2-bed/2-bath apartments and 4 3-bed/2-bath apartments. A bike storage room with space for 14 bikes is also included in this project, which is located right on our Berwyn Greenway! We expect to see some work starting in the coming weeks on the interior of the property. We’re looking forward to welcoming 14 new, family-sized rental units with bike parking to our community!
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TimeLine Theatre Ribbon Cutting
Join us in welcoming TimeLine Theatre to their new permanent Uptown home! Back in 2024, we secured $14 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for this project, and we're thrilled to see it coming to fruition. This modernized five-story building features a 250-seat black box theater, a street-facing bar, exhibit galleries, and educational and community spaces.
Uptown is a historical hub for world-class theatres and entertainment. Now, TimeLine Theatre is joining this tradition, bringing with it a commitment to community engagement and a modern approach to the classic theatre experience. Welcome TimeLine Theatre!
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Roots & Ritual Ribbon Cutting
This week, we joined the team at Solar Intentions for the official Roots & Ritual ribbon cutting! Roots & Ritual is a mother-daughter owned shop with an intentional and curated selection of goods that bring everyday magic to life, including witchcraft supplies, tarot decks, books, perfumes, teas, art prints, candles, and more. Next time you're on Bryn Mawr, visit them in their new space next to Solar Intentions at 1052-56 W Bryn Mawr for regular community events and workshops!
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Schedule of Upcoming Construction
Please be aware of upcoming asphalt grinding work in preparation for resurfacing. This work is tentatively scheduled to begin this Spring at the following ward locations:
Alleys
- Alley bounded by McCutcheon Terr / Margate Terr / Marine / Ainslie
- Alley bounded by Sheridan / Foster / Marine / Winona
- Alley bounded by Kenmore / Winona / Sheridan / Argyle
- Alley bounded by Winthrop / Winona / Kenmore / Argyle
- Alley bounded by Clark / Hollywood / Glenwood / Olive
- Alley bounded by Glenwood / Ridge / Hollywood
- Alley bounded by Magnolia / Elmdale / Broadway / Thorndale
- Alley bounded by Clark / Highland / Greenview / Rosemont
Streets
- Balmoral from Wayne - Lakewood
- Glenwood from Balmoral - Berwyn
- Glenwood from Ridge - Bryn Mawr
- Glenwood from Rosedale - Ardmore
- Ardmore from Winthrop - Sheridan
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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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Another great shred event in the books! Thanks to all the neighbors who came out to safely dispose of electronic devices and prescription medications and to shred personal documents at this all-in-one event. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn about more events like this one!
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Spring is here and the neighborhood is feeling the glow! Take a stroll down Broadway and visit one of our many local restaurants like Sfera where neighbors are enjoying the evening sun on outdoor patios!
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