Voting for the 2026 People’s Budget is open! Vote by December 31st, 2025. The 2026 People’s Budget is officially open for voting! From now until December 31st, 2025, 40th Ward residents ages 14+ can vote on how we should spend one million dollars in infrastructure funds, including: To learn more about how participatory budgeting works, […]
Articles and News
SNAP Benefits Are Expiring! Here’s How to Get Help and Give Help.
Posted onBeginning on November 1st, the Trump administration’s cruel and drastic cuts to SNAP benefits begin. The $200 billion cuts to SNAP benefits will impact an estimated 360,000 families in Illinois and drastically increase food insecurity in our city. Governor Pritzker is set to sign an executive order directing $20 million in state funds to food banks this week. […]
Budget 2026 Update
Posted onOur team has been hard at work analyzing the 2026 City of Chicago Budget proposal, as well as meeting with independent budget watchdog organizations to get their feedback! Here’s what we’ve learned so far: New or Notable Revenues The budget proposal includes many proposed new revenues, including: Notable Investments CPD continues to be the best-funded […]
Notice of Intent: 5054-58 North Ashland Avenue
Posted onAfter consideration of resident feedback, the 40th Ward office will support the proposed zoning change from RS3 Community to B2-5 by Mackinaw Development LLC at 5054-58 North Ashland Avenue with design changes.
October Immigration Briefing
Posted onOn Tuesday, October 21st, the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights hosted a virtual Immigration Briefing, covering the increase in ICE enforcement we’ve seen in Chicago, several recent federal court decisions impacting Chicago, and more.
City Council Roundup: Release of the FY26 Budget
Posted onRelease of the FY26 Budget At this week’s City Council meeting, Mayor Johnson released the administration’s budget proposal for FY26: Our team is currently analyzing the full budget, and look forward to sharing our insights with you soon! In the meantime, budget hearings begin next week, and we encourage you to tune in. You can […]
Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund is Open for Applications!
Posted onThis year, Cook County is launching the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund, a $15 million program to help households that have experienced a substantial increase on their property tax bills by providing one-time, $1,000 payments to eligible households. Apply now through October 10th to get relief on this year’s property tax bills! To qualify for […]
September City Council Roundup
Posted onCity Council is back from recess this month! Here’s what happened in September. Mid-Year Budget Hearings This year marked Chicago’s first mid-year budget report and mid-year hearings! During the 2025 budget hearings, Ald. Vasquez passed a number of reforms aimed at providing greater transparency, accountability, and oversight to the city’s budget process. Establishing mid-year budget […]
Notice of Intent: 2434 W Bryn Mawr
Posted onAfter consideration of resident feedback, the 40th Ward office cannot support the proposed zoning change from B1-2 Community to B2-5 by Bryn Mawr Commons LLC.
CIRR Subject Matter Hearing: Preparing for Federal Escalation
Posted onOn Friday, September 12th, we hosted a meeting of the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights to discuss the escalation of federal enforcement in Chicago over the past few weeks. If you missed the hearing, you can view a recording below: For the past few weeks, CIRR staff have been speaking with city council members […]
September Immigration Briefing
Posted onOn Tuesday, September 16th, the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights hosted a virtual Immigration Briefing with some of our community partners. The briefing covered the increase in ICE enforcement we’ve seen in Chicago, attacks on lawful immigration, federal litigation updates, and an update on the June 4th mass detention in Chicago. As always, none […]
Introducing the 40th Ward Art Scavenger Hunt!
Posted onDo you know how many beautiful murals are hidden around our ward? Get ready to find out! This year, we’re launching a 40th Ward Art Scavenger Hunt to explore and celebrate all of the incredible local art around the ward. Find all 10 public art pieces below for a chance to win a 1st, 2nd, […]