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48th WARD NEWS: MAY 6, 2026
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OFFICER BARTHOLOMEW SERVICE DETAILS & TRAFFIC INFORMATION
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Dear Neighbors,
Officer John Bartholomew dedicated his life to serving his fellow Chicagoans. He was a beloved father, husband, son, and brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Bartholomew’s friends and family, and with our police partners during this very difficult time. We will continue to pray for Officer Crespo's recovery.
Visitation for Officer Bartholomew will be held on Thursday, May 7 from 2-8pm with a Trisagion Prayer Service at 6:30 PM at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 North Sheridan Rd. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 8 at 10am also at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church. See visitation details here.
These events are expected to be widely attended, and the City of Chicago anticipates that the impact on local parking, traffic patterns, and traffic congestion in the area bounded by Thorndale, Clark, Foster and DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be significant. These impacts are expected to last from 11am-9pm on May 7 and 9am-3pm on May 8.
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Anticipated street closures include:
- DLSD from Hollywood to Foster
- Sheridan from Lawrence to Devon
- Bryn Mawr from DLSD to Broadway
- Lawrence from DLSD to Cicero
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Parking restrictions will be in place on Hollywood, Bryn Mawr, Winthrop, Kenmore, Sheridan, Simonds Drive, Lawrence, Thorndale, and Ardmore. See the table for details. Look for posted “No Parking” signs and refer to signage for details.
CTA riders can expect re-routes on the #136, #147, and #151. See bus reroute information in the image below or online here.
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Street closures are subject to change by OEMC and the Chicago Police Department. Local traffic will be facilitated by CPD. For the most up to date information on traffic changes and street closures, register for NotifyChicago.org or download the Chicago OEMC app.
Yours in Community,
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Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
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MAY IS JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
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A Story Celebrated: Historical Installation
Last week, Leni met with residents at The Selfhelp Home for a fireside chat, and a tour of plans for a new historical installation. The installation will be a place for the community to visit — telling the story of Selfhelp and its significance within Chicago's Jewish refugee history. A central feature is Points of Light: 540 individual points installed in remembrance of the refugees and survivors who have lived at Selfhelp. You can read more and support the project here.
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Selfhelp Home 18 Over 80 Honorees
Last month, Selfhelp celebrated their inaugural class of 18 Over 80 honorees, a new recognition celebrating extraordinary residents, friends, leaders, and community members whose lives and contributions reflect the heart of Selfhelp. A big congratulations to Rennie Shapiro, z”l; Donald Davidson; Fela Dogadko; George Huppert; Esther Katz; Marie Leaner; Sally Nusinson; Charlotte Schwartz; Phyllis Toback; Reynold Weil; Stanley Pollock; Hedy Ciocci; Ralph Juss; Stephen Nechtow; Fern Shaffer; Craig Tuber; Phil Friedmann; and Donna Mayer.
The Selfhelp Home is a Jewish senior living community at 908 W. Argyle. Founded in 1938 as a volunteer mutual aid society for Holocaust refugees and survivors, Selfhelp is an enduring chapter of Chicago's Jewish refugee story—a place where European Jews fleeing Nazi Europe rebuilt their lives with dignity, and a legacy that continues to thrive today right here in the 48th Ward.
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Share Shabbat Tradition at Emanuel Congregation
- When: Friday, June 12 at 6pm
- Where: Emanuel Congregation (5959 N Sheridan)
- Learn more online.
Each month, the wider Emanuel Congregation community gathers on the second Friday evening to celebrate Share Shabbat, a beloved tradition that brings people together through the joy of food, prayer, music, and connection. Whether you're joining for the first time or are a longtime regular, you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone has a seat at the table.
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Celebrate with the Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library is excited to share a variety of programs in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. Check out their website here for a schedule of events, recommended reading lists, and more!
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Goudy Sensory Playlot Update
Construction has begun on the Goudy Elementary Sensory Playlot, one of our 2025 Participatory Budgeting winners! Please read the following message from Goudy Principal Bill Yeh:
"Goudy is thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun on our new sensory playlot! This exciting project was made possible thanks to the generous funding and support from the 48th Ward Office, and we are incredibly grateful for their investment in our school community. This specialized space is designed to be an inclusive environment where our students can engage their senses, explore through tactile play, and develop essential motor skills in a fun, safe setting. We are eagerly counting down the days until our students can begin exploring this wonderful new addition to our campus!" - Principal Bill Yeh
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DWM Community Meeting
- When: Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30pm
- Where: Edgewater Beach Apartments - Pool Terrace (5555 N Sheridan)
- Register online.
The Department of Water Management is expected to replace water mains at Sheridan & Bryn Mawr this year. Join us to hear from the DWM Staff about the project details and traffic plan. The project will take place on Sheridan (Bryn Mawr to Foster) and Bryn Mawr (Sheridan to Kenmore) and is expected to start this summer. Please note that a previous version of this announcement incorrectly listed the event time as 6pm. The meeting will begin at 6:30pm.
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Example illustration of curb-extension style bump-outs.
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Bump-Out Construction Updates
Bump out construction at Gregory/Clark and Glenwood/Olive is underway! These bump outs are part of a T-Intersection Safety initiative that neighbors voted to fund during the 48th ward’s first ever Participatory Budgeting vote in 2024. A third set of bump outs at Magnolia & Elmdale were part of this project, and installed last year. Other projects selected by neighbors in 2024 include the Nature Play Space on Elmdale, installed this year, and the Sheridan Road Decorative Crosswalks, installed in 2025. Click here to read more about our Participatory Budgeting 2024.
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Elise Malary Plaza Update
Beginning this Spring, the City will start construction of the Elise Malary Plaza on Catalpa Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue. The project is a permanent plaza that will close Catalpa Street to traffic. The vision for the plaza is to create a welcoming public space, support local economic development, and provide opportunities for community gatherings and events. A public meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 23. Stay tuned to future newsletters for more information.
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Ashland Resurfacing Update
Last year, CDOT began an arterial resurfacing project on Ashland including pedestrian safety measures, a new traffic signal, street resurfacing, and more. Please review the following updates:
- Traffic signal at Ashland & Berwyn: COMPLETE
- Landscaping between Peterson and Foster: ONGOING
- Sewer work and saw cutting between Foster and Montrose: ONGOING
- Curb and gutter work at Winnemac and Carmen: ONGOING
We’re thrilled to see this project completed in advance of the completion of Elise Malary Plaza. While this project includes no full road closures, single lane closures are expected as needed; please plan your commute accordingly.
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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 Mobile DMV - Fully Booked
All timeslots for our upcoming Mobile DMV have been claimed in record time! Mobile DMV is a service offered in partnership with the IL Secretary of State's Office to bring ID and vehicle services to you. Based on the popularity of this and previous events, we've secured an additional Mobile DMV for this fall! Stay tuned to future newsletters for more information.
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Apply for Property Tax Exemptions by May 15
Are you a homeowner in Cook County? You may be eligible for property tax savings through the following exemptions:
- Homeowner Exemption
- Senior Exemption
- Senior Freeze Exemption
- Veterans with Disabilities Exemption
- Returning Veterans Exemption
- World War II Exemption
- Persons with Disabilities Exemption
View exemption eligibility, documentation required, and apply online here. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so that there is a digital record of their application. Applying online allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify of missing documents needed to complete the application.
Homeowners are also encouraged to join an upcoming in-person or virtual workshop on how to file for exemptions. If you already applied, you can check the status here.
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Older Americans Month Party
- When: Wednesday, May 13 from 11:30am-3:30pm
- Where: NE Levy Senior Center (2019 W Lawrence)
- No RSVP required
Celebrate Older Americans Month at the NE Levy Senior Center. Enjoy lunch, a choir performance, a raffle, and three hours of music and dancing!
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Older Adults Resource Fair
- When: Friday, May 15 from 11am-2pm
- Where: Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway)
- No RSVP required
Join us for our annual older adults resource fair! This year, we're partnering with the Chicago City Clerk's office to provide City Key services at the event! Learn more about the City Key here, then come by the armory to pick up yours and access healthcare, legal aid, technology assistance, social services, educational workshops, and more. The event will feature over 50 different service providers!
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Find Information about Recycling in Chicago
As part of an agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the City of Chicago is partnering with Recycle Coach to provide information on recycling and other forms of waste diversion in Chicago. DSS households served by the Blue Cart program can look up hundreds of materials using thousands of terms to determine their proper cart placement for curbside collection, and all residential households can explore City-managed drop-off programs, as well as retail and reuse drop-off outlets. Learn more about Chicago recycling online here.
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20th District Monthly Meeting
- When: Monday, May 11 from 6-7:30pm
- Where: Budlong Elementary (2701 W Foster)
- 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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Meetings with 20th and 24th Police District Commanders
Our office continues to meet quarterly with the 20th and 24th Police District Commanders to align resources with community needs and address resident concerns. Recent discussions have focused on increasing patrol presence along key corridors like Clark, Bryn Mawr, and Sheridan, along with expanding bike/foot patrols across the ward as resources allow. We also discussed summer safety strategies and quality of life issues.
These meetings remain a key part of our collaborative, proactive approach to public safety, ensuring accountability and strong coordination with our police districts and community. Want to get involved? Attend your next District Council or Beat meeting, listed on our calendar here. Find out what police district/beat you live in here.
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SNAP Reminders & Food Security Resources
As of May 1, new changes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program (SNAP) have gone into effect. Visit our blog to learn more about how to access supplemental nutrition assistance within the 48th ward and for ways to help our most at-risk neighbors.
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Centro Romero Annual Health Fair
- When: Tuesday, May 19 from 9am-2pm
- Where: Centro Romero (6216 N Clark)
- No RSVP required
Join us for Centro Romero's annual health fair for free health screenings, vision tests, vaccinations, and other resources related to physical, mental, and social well-being.
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Low Income Discount Rate Programs
With temperatures rising, people will soon start needing to cool their homes leading to higher energy bills. Low Income Discount Rate Programs (LIDRs) help low income households, up to 300% of the poverty level, throughout the state access affordable gas, electric, and water services. LIDRs can help families and communities avoid disconnection and stay cool this summer by helping them save up to 83% on their energy bill. Determine eligibility and apply online here.
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CLICK HERE to opt in to receive occasional crime alerts from our office. If you're having trouble with this link, you can also opt in by re-subscribing HERE and checking the box at the bottom of the form. Doing so will not alter or double your existing newsletter subscription.
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DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Chicago Business Resource 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 Business Resource Expo Series. Join the Chicago Business Resource Expo to network, access free insights and resources, attend workshops, get a professional headshot, and more!
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SAVE THE DATE: Illinois Housing Blueprint Listening Session
- When: Wednesday, June 3 from 2-4pm
- Where: 111 E Wacker - 11th floor
- Register online.
The 2027 Illinois Housing Blueprint, will provide an analysis of the state of housing in Illinois, with a particular emphasis on the ways in which Illinois can improve the resiliency and equity of housing markets across the state. This listening session is an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts and ideas.
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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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In honor of May Day, Leni attended events across the city including joining the picket line at Loyola with SEIU Local 73, marching with McCutcheon students to demand a school gym, chalking the sidewalk with Peirce students in solidarity with immigrant families, rallying with youth leaders from ONE Northside and Loyola outside Target, and marching with faith leaders at Union Park.
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Leni and Angel joined our Homeless Outreach & Prevention (HOP) team, Lorenzo and Lashelle at Margate Park to bring city services directly to our unhoused neighbors. Through these efforts, we have housed more than 77 people living in tents in the 48th ward. During the visit, one neighbor was notified that he was matched to housing in the ward! See more on our instagram.
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Thank you to the neighbors at Admiral at the Lake for hosting us for a fireside chat! We discussed construction projects, Know Your Rights, SNAP benefits, and more! Click here to invite Leni to present at your building, block club meeting, or HOA meeting. We’ll see you soon at ETNA, Breakers, and Hollywood Towers! |
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Since serving as your Alderwoman, Leni has made $12,319,314 available for 48th ward small businesses through the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF). Leni has personally visited hundreds of 48th ward businesses on her Door to Door Business Tour to promote this funding opportunity and encourage business owners to apply. Last week, she went door to door with the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce to share information on the latest SBIF opportunity.
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