Voting for the 2027 People’s Budget is open! Vote by December 31st, 2026.
The 2027 People’s Budget is officially open for voting! From now until December 31st, 40th Ward residents ages 14+ can vote on how we should spend $250K of infrastructure improvement funds on new projects that have been proposed by our neighbors.
To learn more about how participatory budgeting works, including details like how much repairs cost and what types of projects are eligible, visit 40thward.org/PB.
Here are the projects on the 2027 People’s Budget ballot:
This year’s People’s Budget Committee reviewed over 50 project proposals and ranked them by criteria like safety, sustainability, creativity, accessibility, and community impact. They chose the final ballot with an eye toward equity, and making sure that we are considering projects that are spread equitably across the ward.
Once our People’s Budget Committee ranks all the projects, we submit the top ten to relevant city departments to determine if the project is feasible and get estimates on how much each project will cost. Then, with that information, the PB Committee votes on the top projects that should be added to the ballot.
Thank you to all of the neighbors who submitted proposals this year! Below, you can see all the details on the six final ballot projects––and hear directly from the community members that support them.
Ridge and Ravenswood Raised Crosswalk: $106K
This project would fund the installation of a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Ridge and Peterson, which is a historically dangerous intersection for pedestrians, and improve pedestrian safety near the Peterson/Ridge Metra station. Raised crosswalks slow traffic by functioning as a low speed hump, and make pedestrians more visible to drivers. You can see what raised crosswalks look like at the Chicago Department of Transportation website!
Warren Park Sledding Hill Renovations: $100K
This project would fund improvements to the beloved Warren Park sledding hill! The project would include the re-sodding of the sledding hill, and renovating the staircase to be safer for children and park-goers.
Foster and Hoyne Raised Crosswalk: $106K
This project would fund the installation of a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Foster and Hoyne, to improve pedestrian safety near the Amundsen High School, Chappell Elementary, and Winnemac Park. Raised crosswalks slow traffic by functioning as a low speed hump, and make pedestrians more visible to drivers. You can see what raised crosswalks look like at the Chicago Department of Transportation website!
Budlong Elementary Playground Equipment: $100K
This project would fund equipment repairs and renovations to the Budlong Elementary playground to make it safer and more enjoyable for Budlong students.
Argyle St Flashing Pedestrian Crossing Signs: $95.4K
This project would fund the installation of of Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons on Argyle between California, and the Chicago River, to make it safer for pedestrians crossing to and from River Park. You can see what these these signs (called Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons) look like at the Chicago Department of Transportation website!
Winnemac Park Nature Play Space: $50K
This project would fund the installation of a new nature play space at Winnemac Park, where children can safely learn and interact with nature in the park.
Vote Now!
Voting will be open until from now until December 31st. Cast your vote through our online ballot, or visit any of our in-person ballot box locations:
- 40th Ward Office: 5620 N Western Ave
- Budlong Woods Library: 5630 N Lincoln Ave
- Northtown Library: 6800 N Western Ave
- Warren Park Fieldhouse: 6601 N Western Ave
- Green Briar Park Fieldhouse: 2650 W Peterson Ave
- River Park Fieldhouse: 5100 N Francisco Ave
- Side Practice Coffee Shop: 5139 N Damen Ave
- Emmerson Park Fieldhouse: 1820 W Granville Ave
- Mather High School: 5835 N Lincoln Ave (for students only)
- Amundsen High School: 5110 N Damen Ave (for students only)
- Schneider Apartments (for residents only): 1750 W Peterson Ave (for residents only)
- Peterson Plaza Apartments (for residents only): 5969 N Ravenswood Ave (for residents only)
- Daniel Hudson Burnham Apartments (for residents only: 1930 W Loyola Ave (for residents only)
- G&A Senior Living (for residents only): 1818 W Peterson Ave (for residents only)