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48th WARD NEWS: JANUARY 30, 2026
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PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING VOTING IS OPEN
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Help us spend up to $1 million in public infrastructure funds! Over the past few months, neighbors have shared project ideas online and at community meetings and now, it's time to vote! Voting is open online and in person Friday, January 30 - Sunday, March 1.
We're excited to be using Ranked Choice Voting (RSV) this year. RCV is a selection method that allows voters to rank their choices in order of preference. The least popular choices are eliminated in rounds until we have a majority winner, or in this case, winners! Read more about RCV here. Read more about Participatory Budgeting here. Questions? Reach out to development@the48thward.org.
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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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2025 Year-in-Review Town Hall
Thanks to everyone who tuned in for our town hall meeting this week! Our team shared a presentation of all the great work we accomplished as a community in the past year from public safety wins, to infrastructure improvements, to events and much more. If you weren't able to be there, no problem! Stay tuned for a recording of the meeting which we'll be sharing soon. In the meantime, you can review the slide deck here.
We're also taking this presentation on the road! Reach out to audrey@the48thward.org to invite us to present at your building or organization's next meeting. Shout out to the Malibu for hosting us at your building last night! We will see you soon at Malibu East, Thorndale Beach South, Park Tower, and more!
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Pick up a 48th Ward 2026 Calendar
Come by the office at 1129 W Bryn Mawr whenever we're open to pick up a magnetic 2026 calendar with all of this year's city holidays. These calendars are free and will be distributed on first-come-first-served basis while supplies last.
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Edgewater Indoor Market
- When: Saturday, January 31 from 10am-2pm
- Where: Broadway Armory Gymnasium (5917 N Broadway)
- Learn more online.
Edgewater Indoor Market returns this Saturday! On 5 select Saturdays this winter, enjoy the BIGGEST indoor market of its kind on the North Side featuring 70+ food vendors, artists, and artisans selling prepared foods, baked goods, winter produce, warm drinks, local treats, art, gifts, and more! Other dates include February 14, February 28, and March 14. See the full vendor lineup here.
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Igor Does My Bike Anniversary Party
- When: Sunday, February 1 from 10am-8pm
- Where: Igor Does My Bike (5454 N Broadway)
- See full schedule here
Join the Igor Does My Bike team for their 2nd Anniversary Party featuring food, music, raffles, kids activities and much more! They're also celebrating with deals on merch and equipment. Learn more. Congratulations to Igor and team for purchasing Lakeshore Bikes on the lakefront trail. We look forward to visiting Igor's Bike Shack this summer!
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Peirce Day at Hopleaf
- When: Sunday, February 1 from 12-10pm
- Where: Hopleaf (5148 N Clark)
- No RSVP required
Stop by Hopleaf to support Peirce Elementary School while enjoying great food and drinks. Hopleaf will donate 100% of gross food and beverage profits (minus sales tax) from the day to Friends of Peirce, directly funding arts partnerships and enrichment programming at the school.
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Voting Information - High School Election Judges Needs
Primary elections are right around the corner! The board of elections is looking for judges to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters for $170 - $230. Please note that the deadline to apply to serve as an election judge is Tuesday, February 3, and high school students are required to submit written parental approval. Learn more here. For more information about registering, voting, or working in the upcoming primary election, visit our blog.
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SAVE THE DATE: Shred & Electronics Recycling Event
- When: Saturday, March 21 from 11am-2pm
- Where: 5853 N Broadway
- No RSVP is required for this event.
Back by popular demand: shred personal documents and recycle small electronic devices at the ward yard this March!
Shred Reminders
While standard printer paper is preferred, mixed paper and envelopes will be accepted. Please remove large binder clips. Remember: paper shreds cannot be recycled, so we encourage you to shred pages with personal information and recycle the rest!
Electronics Recycling Reminders
Recycle small electronics including laptops, tablets, cell phones, cables, keyboards, and game consoles. Note that larger appliances such as televisions and printers will not be accepted.
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Greencorps Chicago Applications Are Open
Greencorps Chicago—the city's green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment—is currently recruiting potential candidates for this year’s Employment & Training Program. During the nine-month program, Greencorps Chicago trainees earn a starting wage of $18.50 and receive practical experience, professional development, and classroom & field training in a variety of environmentally-related jobs with skills that are easily transferable to other industries.
Trainees are offered several professional certifications including Defensive Driving, First Aid/CPR, HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-Hour Safety, Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Class, and the Illinois Pesticide license. Throughout the program, trainees are supported with wrap-around social services, a stable income, and assistance finding full time employment upon completion of the program. Learn more online here.
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Neighbors,
Last weekend, Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse was killed in the streets of Minneapolis by federal immigration agents. Our Department of Homeland Security is asking us not to believe our own eyes, but what we saw was an execution. Each day serves as a new reminder of what we already know to be true: ICE does not keep us safe. Instead, thousands of people in Chicago and Minneapolis have mobilized to care for their neighbors. And it’s up to our elected leaders to protect our communities through legislation that is truly built around our best interests.
Federal budget negotiations have been underway all week; I have reached out to our Senators to urge them to vote no on any budget that supports ICE operations. The reckless and lawless actions of these institutions are a disgrace to our country and our constitution, and we must do everything in our power to stop the terror and the loss of innocent lives. I want to thank Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin for their leadership in standing strong for a government funding package that prioritizes the safety of our communities and does not include ICE. See their recent statements below.
In the meantime, we will continue to build ICE-Free Zones at the City, County, and State levels, and stand together in solidarity and in defense of our most vulnerable neighbors, regardless of origin or immigration status.
Yours in community,
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Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
Senator Tammy Duckworth:
"ICE isn’t making our communities safer, but protecting our children from lead poisoning actually would—so it should be common sense to redirect taxpayer dollars away from Trump’s reckless, dangerous agents and toward getting the lead out of our water. It’s deeply disappointing that Senate Republicans would rather enable Trump’s lawless agents to terrorize our communities than help ensure our children have clean drinking water."
Senator Dick Durbin:
"I will not vote to fund the illegal DHS and ICE operations that terrorize Chicago, Minneapolis, and many other communities. The deaths of innocent Americans and the detaining of thousands of innocent people are a national disgrace. Secretary Noem refuses to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to account for her stewardship over this reign of terror. I will not reward her arrogance and lawlessness with my vote."
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ICE Accountability Ordinances Passes Through Committee
Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is a cosponsor on Ordinance O2025-0020004 which passed through the Joint Committee on Police and Fire & Immigrant and Refugee Rights this week. The ordinance gives the Civlian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) the power to investigate reported violations of Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, including CPD officers collaborating with ICE agents. Read the full ordinance and track its progress here.
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Leni Cosponsors the Community Power Over Policing Ordinance
Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth has signed on as a cosponsor to the “Community Power Over Policing Ordinance” related to the makeup and powers of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Acountability (CCPSA). The ordinance presents a referendum to Chicago voters asking whether or not to:
- change the CCPSA from a 7-member appointed body to an 11-member body with 2 appointed members and 9 elected members
- grant the CCPSA additional powers including:
- Negotiation with Fraternal Order of Police
- Collaboration with CPD on annual budget
- Removal of Police Superintendent or Board members by two-thirds vote
Visit our blog to read the full referendum text and learn more.
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Give Feedback on City's Five-Year Blueprint On Homelessness
On January 14, 2026, the Draft 2026–2031 Five-Year Blueprint on Homelessness was formally released with the leadership of Chief Homelessness Officer, Sendy Soto, and her team at the Mayor's Office of Homelessness (MOH). Today is the last day to submit public comment on the draft blueprint:
- View the draft and access the fdeedback form here.
- View the Committee on Housing & Real Estate subject matter hearing here.
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Cold Weather and Snow Reminders
During extreme cold like we've been experiencing this week, it's important to be prepared with resources for staying safe and warm. Remember that you can always contact 311 to find warming centers, file no-heat complaints and request wellbeing checks for yourself or others. Visit our blog for more winter safety tips. Be sure to share this information with neighbors who may not otherwise be aware of it.
Snow Reminders
When it snows, it's the resident or building manager's responsibility to clear snow from the sidewalk. Snow that falls between 7am-7pm should be cleared by 10pm, and snow that falls between 7pm-7am should be cleared by 10am.
If you need help shoveling snow or want to volunteer to help your neighbors shovel, fill out our 48th ward shovel squad form.
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20th District Council December Meeting
- When: Monday, February 9 at 6pm
- Where: Sen High School (5900 N Glenwood)
- 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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Leni Cosponsors Call on US to pass Medicare for All Act of 2025
Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth has signed on as a cosponsor to a resolution calling on the US to pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025. This call is based on myriad data highlighting health inequities underscored by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read more on our blog.
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24th District DUI Saturation Patrol Results
Earlier this month, the Chicago Police Department 24th District conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol. According to CPD, the purpose of a DUI Saturation Patrol is to "saturate a pre-designated area with roving police officers that continually monitor vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving. Patrols also place emphasis on speed, alcohol-related and safety belt violations." The results of the DUI Saturation Patrol are below:
- 0 Driving Under the Influence
- 1 Unsafe Vehicle Violations
- 9 Open Liquor
- 9 Insurance Violations
- 0 Seat Belt Violations
- 0 Child Seat Violations
- 0 Suspended/Revoked
- 0 No Driver's License
- 4 Driver's License Violations
- 16 Speed Violations
- 3 Distracted Driving Violations
- 45 Traffic Violations (Other)
- 78 Total Citations
- 0 Other Arrests
- 0 Vehicles Towed
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Development Feedback Opportunity: 5959, 5948, & 5965 N Sheridan
Emanuel Congregation, in partnership with Fern Hill Company, has formally submitted a zoning change request to the 48th Ward Office. They are proposing the redevelopment of the Emanuel Congregation synagogue and two other adjoining land sites into a mixed-use Planned Development project at 5959 N Sheridan, 5948 N Sheridan, and 5965 N Sheridan. The proposed project includes complementary neighborhood uses including the synagogue, new residential, limited ground-floor commercial, and accessory parking. The synagogue and Fern Hill are requesting a zoning change from RS-1 and RM-5.5 to B3-5. For more information see the slides from the January 22 congregation meeting here.
Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth will host a community meeting about this planned development in February. The online feedback period for this project is now open and will remain open for two weeks after the community meeting. To view project details and submit feedback, click here. Because of the project’s proximity to the lake, it will be subject to the Lakefront Protection Ordinance. In addition, all Planned Developments go through an extensive vetting process by city departments and agencies including the Chicago Plan Commission, Department of Planning & Development, CDOT, CFD, MOPD, CTA, ComEd, and others.
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Development Feedback Opportunity: 1527 W Edgewater
Feedback is open for a proposed zoning change from RS-3 to RM-4.5 at 1527 W Edgewater to build a four-unit residential building. The existing structure—a vacant, former house of worship—will be demolished. Learn more on our blog and submit feedback here.
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Save the Date: Chicago Small Biz Expo
- When: Saturday, May 16 from 8:30am-1:30pm
- Where: Truman College (1145 W Wilson)
- Register online.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection brings free business resources to the community for new and existing entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in the City of Chicago through the Chicago Small Biz Expo Series. The series offers business resources such as City of Chicago business licensing consultants, tax clinic, financial advisors, workshops, professional headshots, networking and much more. Learn more online here.
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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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We were very sad to hear about the passing of Rick Garcia, pictured here with Leni at the 2024 Equality Illinois Gala. Rick was a pioneering LGBTQ+ advocate, organizer, and leader whose lifelong activism reshaped civil rights in Chicago and beyond. He was the founder and first executive director of Equality Illinois which has grown into one of the state's oldest and most influential LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations.
Leni has proudly signed on as a cosponsor for Resolution R2026-0022526 honoring the life and legacy Rick Garcia and committing to carrying his work forward.
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January 27 is International Holocaust Memorial Day, where we commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. This year, 48th ward staff visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum Experience 360, a pop-up museum at 360 N State Street. The exhibit provides a panoramic view through history and truth, inviting visitors of all backgrounds to witness stories of survival, ask questions, and reflect on the past in ways that inspire empathy, respect, and hope. Featuring cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling, Experience360 offers visitors an opportunity to engage with history in deeply personal and interactive ways. Learn more and plan your visit online here.
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The Edgewater, Uptown, and Andersonville chambers of commerce teamed up for a fun evening of casual business networking at Hopleaf. 48th Ward Team Members, Agnes and Nicole, are pictured here with Cecilia Rodriguez, Chair of the Edgewater Chamber Board, and Rajan Shahi, SSA #26 Commissioner and CEO of Sewa Senior Care.
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Leni was honored to speak at the 129th Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) Kick-Off along with Philippine Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano. PIWC is a Chicago organization committed to raising awareness of Philippine culture and history.
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Thank you to Justin Lombardo everyone at the Malibu Condo Association for the kind invitation and lively conversation about public safety, development, infrastructure and more! To invite Leni to your next event go to: Invite the Alderwoman.
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