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Meet the Team! Maria Hadden (she/her/hers) ALDERWOMAN OF THE 49TH WARD CHAIRWOMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & ENERGY Leslie Perkins (she/her/hers) CHIEF OF STAFF & POLICY DIRECTOR CONTACT FOR: Scheduling requests, media inquiries, policy information Shenicka Hohenkirk (she/her/hers) WARD DIRECTOR email: shenicka@49thward.org CONTACT FOR: Scheduling requests, ward office inquiries Clarissa Steinbrecher (she/her/hers) DIRECTOR OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES email: clarissa@49thward.org CONTACT FOR: Constituent inquiries, landlord/tenant disputes, disabled parking permits, internships Tony Sandifer (he/him/his) MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT email: tony@49thwar d.org CONTACT FOR: Community partnerships, participatory budgeting, block parties, other community events Zach Joseph (he/him/his) INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR email: zach@49thwar d.org CONTACT FOR: Zoning & development inquiries, community partnerships, newsletter items Caleb DeBerry (he/him/his) COORDINATOR OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES email: caleb@49thwar d.org CONTACT FOR: Constituent inquiries Brenna Regan (she/her/hers) COORDINATOR OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES email: brenna@49thward.org CONTACT FOR: Constituent inquiries Madeline Walbridge (she/her/hers) COORDINATOR OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES email: madeline@49thward.org CONTACT FOR: Constituent inquiries Gina Parra-Hughes (she/her/hers) DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY & OUTREACH TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENERGY CONTACT FOR: Legislative and Committee matters Ashley Parks Adam "Pepe" Woznicki (she/her/hers) COMMUNITY AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTREACH COORDINATOR TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENERGY CONTACT FOR: Leadership Councils, Social Media, and Outreach Opportunities (he/him/his) WARD SUPERINTENDENT CONTACT FOR: Streets & Sanitation matters

Ward Service Office | Chicago's 49th Ward FAQ Service Request Our Ward Calendar Quick Links for Popular Resources: Parking Ward Newsletter Archive Housing & Tenants City Council Updates Development Proposals Legislation Community Calendar:

49th Ward Leadership Councils Youth Leadership Council Environmental Leadership Council Community Leadership Council Youth Leadership Council 1/12 Since 2025, Alderwoman Hadden and her team have been meeting with neighbors in the 49th Ward who are interested in volunteering, leading projects, planning events and engaging in thoughtful discussions surrounding ward and city issues. For neighbors interested in joining the work, reach out to the 49th Ward Office at office@49thward.org . Youth Leadership Council 2026 Advisory Leadership Council 2025 Leadership Subcommittees 2025 Leadership Councils

Information on how to donate to the new arrivals How to Help Our New Neighbors Thank you for your interest in helping our new neighbors feel at home in the great city of Chicago. We are not accepting donations of supplies at the 49th Ward Office at this time. Instead, if you are interested in providing support, please do so via the following methods: Monetary donations : Instituto del Progreso Latino is accepting monetary donations which will go towards basic necessities for individuals in need, including food, clothing, and toiletries. Donate at this link. Instituto del Progreso Latino has also set up an Amazon Wishlist in partnership with the City of Chicago, which is regularly updated to meet the needs of new arrivals. (Wishlist link) Cradles to Crayons Chicago also has an Amazon Wishlist, through which they provide clothing and diapers. ( Wishlist link) Furniture donations: Chicago Furniture Bank is collecting furniture. You can: Schedule a pickup by filling out this form. Drop off furniture at 4801 S Whipple St, Chicago IL, 60632. Drop-offs are open Monday through Friday, 9am - 4pm. For more information visit https://www.chicagofurniturebank.org/ . Other supply donations: Cradles to Crayons Chicago is requesting gently used clothing, shoes, winter coats, socks, underwear, and pajamas. Find a drop-off location near you. New, unopened supplies such as diapers and baby clothing can also be donated through Instituto del Progreso Latino (at 2520 S. Western Ave) or the Pilsen Food Pantry (1850 S. Throop St.) , which is also requesting hygiene supplies such as sanitizers and medical kits. Local supply donations: Please call ahead of time to find out current needs! Family Empowerment Center : 1533 W. Devon, 773-262-0760 A Just Harvest: 7649 N. Paulina, 773-262-2297 Care for Real: 5339 N. Sheridan, 773-769-6182 Current donation drives: Click on the links for more information on what items are being collected, and where to drop off donations . One Warm Coat has an interactive map of all places accepting winter clothing in the country. Locations in our ward include CMSA and Housing Opportunities for Women. To look for aid options in the Edgewater/Uptown communities, please access the 48th Ward's migrant relief document here . To provide additional information and update this webpage, please email clarissa@49thward.org . Last updated: March 13th, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions How do I get a residential parking permit or sticker? You can purchase both City Stickers and Residential Parking Permits in person at the City Clerk’s offices at City Hall (121 N LaSalle St, Room 107) and the North Side Satellite Office (5430 W Gale St). City Stickers (and guest passes for residential permit parking) can also be purchased online . You can look up your parking zone here . Residents on permit zoned streets are eligible to purchase the $25 yearly parking permits at part of their city sticker. However, the alderman’s office grants exception letters to residents who live on blocks perpendicular to and touching any zoned parking streets. All Chicago residents who own or use a vehicle are required to display a valid city sticker on their windshield’s passenger-side corner, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. For more information, please visit the City Vehicle Sticker page here . Can I get a No Parking / Moving sign for my residential move? Our office offers complimentary “No Parking” signs available for residential moves at the ward office for residents moving themselves only . If residents have contracted a moving company, the company must apply and receive the enforceable "No Parking" signs to park their vehicle on the street. The company then charges the $25 permit fee to the resident. If you have contracted a moving company, please work with your moving company ahead of time to secure these signs . Please note, the complimentary signs are not enforceable by ticket or towing. For residents who obtain these signs, we ask that you hang the signs 48-hours prior to your move to give your neighbors adequate time to find alternative parking. Please do not post signs on traffic signs, disabled parking signs, in crosswalks, in no parking tow zones, or in other illegal parking spots. Otherwise, if you want enforceable “No Parking” signs, you can go through the Department of Transportation’s Permits Department. The cost for the enforceable permit is $25. You can apply for the permit on CDOT's permitting platform . Please be advised that moving vehicles are not allowed to park overnight on any streets and are subject to ticketing if left out overnight. Moving PODs & containers are not allowed on any street or City property (alleys, parkways, sidewalks) per City code . Being as such, our office does not provide the unenforceable signs for PODs. It is the responsibility of the renter to secure a private parking spot for a POD. If the renter leaves the POD on a street, they are subject to hefty fines. Our office makes an exception for PODs on a truck bed connected to a functional vehicle which can be moved immediately upon request. Our office can provide unenforceable moving signs for this exception if requested. How can I get a tree trimmed or a dead tree removed? As of 2023, The City has shifted the way in which it handles the trimming of trees on City property. Before 2023, the Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Streets and Sanitation accepted individual tree trim requests. However, this process was tedious and inhibited Forestry crews from trimming all trees in the City. This bureau is responsible for maintaining the City’s urban forest – Chicago’s half-a-million or so parkway trees. The Bureau has now shifted over to a "zoned-trimming" schedule in which our Ward (and all Wards) are split into different zones, each zone is assigned a schedule for trimming, and Forestry crew systematically visit each zone for trimming while following the schedule. Residents may request a tree to be planted in their front parkways (if room allows, see Tree Trimming & Planting Guidelines), or for a tree to be inspected if dead or diseased. If deemed more than half-dead, the City will have a tree removed (and stump ground down) but otherwise healthy trees are not removed. As the backlog on tree planting is several years, homeowners may choose to plant a tree in their parkway at their own expense–see procedures. To request these services, please call 311 or submit your request online through the proper form on the Bureau of Forestry’s website . How do I get a new garbage or recycling bin? Residents who receive trash pick-up from the city (properties with 4 units or less) can request up to two garbage bins, and one recycling bin OR one garbage bin and two recycling bins per unit. Businesses are not eligible for city trash pickup, and in many cases, those living in large apartment or condo buildings do not receive city pick-up. If you do receive city pick-up, you can submit a 311 request for a garbage can maintenance or for a new blue bin. If you would like our office to assist you with entering your 311 request, you can call us at 773-338-5796 or email us at office@49thward.org . How do I get a garbage truck to stop waking me up before 7am? The City of Chicago prohibits trucks from picking up trash before 7 AM under the Noise Ordinance . In many cases, those companies violating the ordinance are private contractors. If this is a persistent issue, you can submit a complaint to our office by calling us at 773-338-5796 or by emailing us at office@49thward.org . If it is not a persistent issue, we recommend that you call 911 to seek enforcement of the noise ordinance. What type of construction or work is being done on my block? You can use this website to find out about construction on your block. If you can’t find it on this map, please feel free to reach out to our office at 773-338-5796, and we can follow up about your specific request. Construction permits are public record, and anyone can sign up for access to the city's permit database by clicking here . After signing up for an account, you can search for construction permits by date and address to find out the reason for the construction that is occurring on your block. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding any construction permits. How do I get a pothole fixed? You can report a pothole to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) by filing a 311 complaint through the phone or the 311 website . If you believe the entire street or alley needs re-paved, please contact our office at 773-338-5796 or at office@49thward.org . Feel free to contact us if you need help filing a 311 complaint as well. There’s water on my street -- what can I do? Streets can flood during heavy rain storms from leaves and other street debris clogging street drains. To prevent this issue, please tell your neighbors and any landscaping companies to not rake leaves into the street. If you see a clogged street drain, just take a rake to sweep up and bag this debris, disposing it in the trash or compost in a yard. If standing water remains after removing leaves and debris from the street drains, please contact our office and we will get the City to schedule an unclogging. How can we make my street more pedestrian friendly? Our office is committed to ensuring our streets are safe for everyone. If you want to request a new street sign, changing a speed limit, new street paint, bump outs, or other traffic calming measures, please contact our office. If you are looking to replace an existing street sign, you can submit a 311 request here . How can I find out when my street will be swept? You can find out when your street will be swept by looking out for orange paper no-parking signs on your street or by utilizing our street sweeping map here . Typically, the Department of Streets & Sanitation (DSS) begins posting these signs beginning April 1st and ending in mid-November. The signs are posted on residential streets approximately two days in advance of street sweeping and are required to be posted at least 24 hours in advance, then removed after the area is clean to open the parking spots for use. The Department posts permanent street signs along commercial and article streets to indicate that day(s) of the week and time(s) for street sweeping. Failure to move a vehicle from a posted no-parking zone may result in a $60 fine during street sweeping days. We highly encourage you to move your vehicle on street sweeping days in order to help clean streets and prevent flooding. There's a light out on my street or in my alley. How can it get fixed? If a light is out on your street or in your alley, you can submit a request to replace it on 311 here . If you would like our office to assist you with entering your 311 request, you can call us at 773-338-5796 or email us at office@49thward.org . The City is in the process of replacing all of our street lights with new, smart LED lights . These lights will allow the Chicago Department of Transportation to detect which lights are out automatically, which will eliminate the need to report lights out in the near future. I’ve noticed that there is a rodent problem in my area. What can I do? Residents can help prevent and address rats in the neighborhood. Rodent abatement services can be obtained by call 311 or the 49th Ward office. Chicago's Bureau of Rodent Control investigates every reported rat sighting. Alley conditions are investigated, damaged carts are replaced, and rodenticide is placed in rat burrows to eradicate the nest. Many reported rodent problems are highly preventable. The Department of Streets & Sanitation needs the cooperation of residents and businesses to keep the neighborhood rat free. You can help by making sure your trash is properly contained. Exposed garbage is the primary reason rodents proliferate. When garbage carts are securely closed, rats will eat the rodenticide and die. How you can help prevent rats: Do not overfill your trash receptacles such that the lid does not seal close. Try to put food scraps in separate smaller bags and place at the bottom of your containers. If possible, save non-food trash till next collection if it’ll overfill the receptacle. Never put a bag with food scraps or food wrappers outside a trash receptacle–rats will chew right into this for a quick meal. If you have a blue cart, put as much clean paper and plastics in there which will save room in the black carts for food scraps and non-recyclables. If your cart has any type of hole, chewed-off area or a missing/defective lid, report this to 311 immediately. If you see a regular occurrence of overfilled receptacles or bags left by them that containing food scraps/wrappers, report it to our office. It doesn’t matter if the receptacles are for houses, apartment buildings, businesses or restaurants. For home gardens and landscaped areas, you may consider laying down “hardware cloth” or chicken wire in garden beds, large planters and other areas where rats may burrow. Rats don’t burrow through metal. Working together, we can continue to eliminate these urban pests. Remember if rats can't feed, they can't breed! If you see a rat or notice conditions that may contribute to rodent activity, call our office at 773-338-5796 or send us an email to office@49thward.org. You can also call the City at 311 or click on the button to submit an online request for rodent baiting . Why hasn’t my street been plowed? When it snows, the Department of Streets and Sanitation first priority is clearing the arterial streets and Lake Shore Drive. Once those are deemed safe, plows become available to the wards for plowing and salting side streets. Depending on the time it takes to clear arterial streets, outdoor temperatures and other variables, driving conditions may not be ideal on side streets. If additional salt is needed on your street, you can submit a 311 request for snow or ice removal. If you would like our office to assist you with entering your request, you can call our office at 773-338-5796 or send us an email to office@49thward.org . How can I get my neighbor’s sidewalk shoveled? It is the responsibility of property owners and occupants to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Chicagoans of all ages and abilities need to use the sidewalks to get where they're going every day of the year. When there has been snowfall, a 5-foot-wide-path must be cleared, snow must be cleared by 10PM on the day of the snowfall if it falls between 7am and 7pm, and by 10am the next day if it falls between 7pm and 7am. If someone has not cleared snow in front of their property, you can file a 311 request for “Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane” or send us an email to office@49thward.org . We will contact the property owner to remind them of their responsibilities and ask our ward superintendent to visit the property. Please keep in mind that some neighbors may struggle to shovel their sidewalk due to mobility issues. If you know that a neighbor struggles to clear their sidewalk due to these issues, please consider helping to shovel the snow.

New FEMA Floodplain Maps to be Issued in 2020 FEMA recently released the future mapping of floodplains along the Lake Michigan shoreline. On September 24, FEMA gave a presentation on the map update in Winnetka. You can view that presentation on the Great Lakes Coasts website . It is expected that the final maps will be issued around September 2020, with their effective date around March 2021. We are encouraging residents to secure flood insurance policies as we approach the final maps being issued. It may be possible to reduce flood insurance premiums if policies are secured before the new floodplain maps are effective. FEMA has created a website to help communities and residents understand the mapping and their impact. The preliminary maps are available on the FEMA Map Service Center under "Search All Products", "Illinois", "Cook County", "Chicago" and "Preliminary Products". Panels 17031C258K, 266K, 268K, 407K, and 417K show the lakefront north of the loop. FEMA has put together some fact sheets to help residents understand the various insurance programs available through their agency. These are linked below: National Flood Insurance Program Fact Sheet NFIP: Floodplain Management Fact Sheet NFIP: Why Do I Need Flood Insurance? NFIP: Map Changes and Flood Insurance Floodsmart Preferred Risk Policy HMA general brochure The Mitigation Division of FEMA houses the National Flood Insurance Program and the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs among other disaster resilience-leaning programs to prepare for, protect against, and prevent damages from natural disasters in order to strengthen community capabilities to respond and recover from events. In Illinois, the grantee for FEMA's HMA grants is the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Building Permits The City of Chicago does require building permits for most construction projects to ensure that our buildings are safe and comply with the Chicago Construction Code . The Department of Buildings has a robust website that can help a variety of users navigate the process of when to apply for a permit, how to apply for a permit, and estimate the costs of a permit. The Department of Buildings also has a concise Guide to Permits , which provides an overview of the permit processes for small and mid-size projects. GUIDE TO PERMITS

Office of the Inspector General The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent, nonpartisan oversight agency whose mission is to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity in the administration of programs and operation of City government. OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and reviews examining issues regarding City employees, elected and appointed officials, vendors and contractors, and programs and operations of the City. The public is encouraged to submit suggestions, comments, and complaints online at www.igchicago.org or by calling the OIG Tipline at 866-448-4754 (TTY: 773-478-2066). Anonymous tips are accepted.

Park Advisory Councils An advisory council is a voluntary group of individuals who meet on a regular basis to support the effective functioning of their local park. Councils promote ways for the community to better utilize the Chicago Park District's programs and facilities; provide communication to the Chicago Park District on matters relating to their parks; increase community awareness of Chicago Park District projects. The 49th Ward has the following park advisory councils: Touhy Park Advisory Council Willye B. White Park Advisory Council Loyola Park Advisory Council Pottawattomie Park Advisory Council Pottawattomie Dog Park Committee Rogers (Phillip) Beach Park Advisory Council GET Beaches Park Advisory Council Leone Beach Park Advisory Council

Resources for Immigrants All Chicago residents, regardless of immigration status, can use City services. Every person, no matter their immigration statues, has legal rights in the United States - this includes undocumented immigrants. It's important that undocumented immigrants know their rights if ICE comes to their door. Click the tabs below for various informational materials to help you understand your rights in these situations. Know Your Rights Welcoming City Mental Health Know Your Rights Fighting Against Federal Occupation Resources from the Office of Immigration, Migrant, and Refugee Rights Download English Guide Haitian Creole Descargar la guía en español Ukranian Descargar guía en francés Mandarin ICIRR Hotline If you see or experience ICE activity, call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights' (ICIRR) 24-Hour Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693). For more information on ICIRR's hotline go to icirr.org/fsn . Here’s how you can stay informed and help others: Understand ICE Tactics: ICE often carries out operations early in the morning, targeting people as they leave for work or take their children to school. They may also set up traffic stops, visit workplaces, or go to people’s homes. Even if someone is not the primary target, ICE has historically detained others who are present. Know Your Rights: Every person in the U.S. has constitutional protections, and knowing how to exercise those rights can make all the difference in a moment of interaction with ICE: You do NOT have to open your door unless ICE presents a warrant signed by a judge. ICE forms are not signed by judges and do not grant permission to enter your home. If you come into contact with ICE officers, stay calm, do not run, and do not provide information about your immigration status. Do not sign anything you don’t understand, and do not provide false documents. If you are questioned, you can calmly state that you wish to speak with a lawyer before proceeding. Create a Safety Plan: Planning ahead is essential. Make sure your family has emergency contact information, and ensure schools or daycare centers have updated contact details for emergencies Chicago Public Schools: Get Prepared Guide WBEZ put together a helpful article on what Chicago Public Schools, parents or guardians, and students can do, including how to talk to children about the chances of Federal Immigration Officers in Chicago. A reminder that CPS does not allow immigration agents into schools without a warrant. Families can access resources regarding Know Your Rights workshops, legal services, and other information related to the new presidential administration here. Protect RP Protect RP, a volunteer-led mutual aid organization that started during the first Trump administration, is back and helping to keep our neighbors safe and informed. They will be helping to distribute Know Your Rights (KYR) information throughout our ward. If you'd like to get involved with them, click here . A volunteer will be in touch with you shortly afterward! Additional Resources ARISE Chicago Know Your Rights Immigrant Worker Toolkit ARISE Chicago Derechos de Inmigrantes - Kit de Herramientas Para Chicago Legal Protection Fund Partner Organizations – English Chicago Legal Protection Fund Partner Organizations – Español City of Chicago Resources for Immigrants CPS Immigration Resources for Families Guardianship and Immigration – English Guardianship and Immigration – Español Guía de Planificación – Español ICIRR Family Support Network And Hotline IDP Know Your Rights with ICE Immigration Safety Plan – English Know Your Rights Card Print Out National Immigration Law Center Fact Sheet NILC Guide for Employers Plan de Preparacion Syrian Community Network Citizenship Services Trabajadores (en español) Welcoming City Ordinance Mental Health Mental healthcare and well-being services for the immigrant community are managed by Lurie Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.luriechildrens.org/youarenotalone. If you are looking for direct services for children or adolescents, please contact the Illinois Screening, Assessment and Support Services Program at 1-800-345- 9049 The Chicago Department of Public Health provides mental health services for adults at locations across the city. Clinicians speak Spanish and English, with translation services available in other languages. To schedule an appointment, please call 312-744-1906. Welcoming City As a welcoming city, Chicago does not conduct immigration enforcement, and the Police Department will not ask about the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or other people who ask for help. For emergency assistance call 911 for police help and for non-emergency assistance call 311 for city services. If you feel you have been the victim of a hate crime, call 911 immediately, or call the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations at 312- 744-4874. Committee on Immigration and Refugee Rights CIRR is responsible for considering all legislation regarding the security and stability of immigrants and refugees in Chicago, with a focus on alleviating the economic, educational, and public-health challenges that immigrants and refugees face. In addition to considering and crafting legislation, CIRR holds regular hearings on immigration-related issues, and also offers operational support to the City and to immigrant and refugee organizations. CITYKEY ID Program The Chicago City Clerk's office launched the CityKey ID program in April 2018. The new city ID also acts as a Ventra card and a library card. Cardholders can also receive an array of benefits at various businesses and organization throughout the city. Every resident in Chicago, including undocumented immigrants, are eligible to receive a CityKey ID. View upcoming CityKeyID events to receive yours! Questions? The City Clerk compiled a list of answers to frequently asked questions available to view on their website .

Army Corps of Engineers Shoreline Study The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has launched an interactive Crowdsource map for the public to leave comments on its Chicago Shoreline Study . The map is available on the Army Corps' website by clicking here . It is recommended that you use Google Chrome to open the site. On the map, users can pinpoint a specific location along the shoreline and submit a comment for consideration. Comments must be submitted by April 30, 2023. The USACE will be preparing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document on the impacts associated with a Coastal Storm Risk Management study in the City of Chicago. The City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District partnered with the Corps to study ongoing shoreline erosion and coastal storm due to variable lake levels and storm-driven waves that impact our shoreline. The proposed study area includes Chicago's entire shoreline, from our border with Evanston to our border with Indiana. As a part of the study, the Army Corps will explore various measures that could be implemented along our shoreline to reduce coastal storm risks. These measures include the following: Structural (e.g., breakwaters, seawalls, revetments, and groins) Natural and Nature-based features (e.g., beach nourishment, submerged reefs, vegetation, ecologically enhanced structures) Non-structural (e.g., floodproofing, flood warning plans, emergency evacuation plans) As part of the NEPA scoping process, the Army Corps is seeking comments or concerns stakeholders have about potential impacts from the various measures that could be implemented. This could include impacts to various habitats, threatened and endangered species, or cultural, historical, and social resources. Our office has submitted preliminary feedback to the Army Corps for this critical study and has called for the following as they embark on this process: Commit to a robust community engagement process to allow Chicagoans to provide insight and feedback The 49th Ward was excluded from the 1994 Chicago Shoreline Storm Damage Reduction Project, which provided infrastructure and protections for just 8 miles of the City’s shoreline. In Rogers Park, private properties are located directly adjacent to the lake, which means they feel the impact of high lake levels and wave action on a much more intimate basis than other parts of the city that have public land barriers and other infrastructure (such as sea walls) to absorb or deflect wave impact. Residents are owed the opportunity to share their personal experiences and ideas to help inform the future of the shoreline. Restore beach access to Juneway, Rogers, and Howard beaches and repurpose emergency revetments as breakwaters As Lake Michigan reached historically high levels in 2019, the Department of Transportation was able to secure emergency funding from FEMA to install armor rock revetments at Juneway, Howard, and Rogers beaches. The revetments were critical in curtailing further erosion of public property and keeping park property safe. However, the installation of revetments restricted access to what had previously been beaches. Rogers Park has a unique history of being the last affordable neighborhood on the north side with access to the lakefront. Roger Park residents have enjoyed this access for generations, offering a more quiet opportunity to enjoy our greatest natural asset. As USACE studies potential solutions for Chicago’s shoreline, I ask that you look at restoring beach access and repurposing the armor rocks to act as breakwaters. Implement sustainable native, deep-rooted vegetation on the lakefront to combat erosion With a unique opportunity to shape the future of Chicago’s shoreline, we would like the Army Corps to explore sustainable options to combat erosion, such as planting marram grass or other native deep-rooted plants that have a track record of withstanding wave impact and mitigating the impacts of erosion. In the 49th Ward, a group of volunteers acts as stewards to the Loyola Park Sand Dunes. The natural vegetation abutting the lake proved resilient at the peak of Lake Michigan’s lake levels, with less damage at Loyola Park than at other parks to its north. In addition to providing a natural barrier to wave action, the plants help the ecosystem along Lake Michigan, allowing natural wildlife and insects to thrive. Individuals, organizations, and groups may also submit written comments to Ms. Samantha Belcik. Comments and questions will be accepted through the end of March and can be directed via email to Ms. Belcik at ChicagoShoreline@usace.army.mil . More on the Shoreline Study and its current status is available on the USACE website her e .

Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy From Left to Right: Ashley Parks, Leslie Perkins, Chair Hadden, Gina Parra-Hughes Alderwoman Hadden was appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy for the 2023-2027 term. In this leadership role, she looks forward to building off of the foundation from her first term in office, where she successfully passed legislation to have the City Treasurer divest from fossil fuels, called to re-establish the Department of Environment, and amended our heating and cooling ordinances to respond to changing weather patterns caused by climate change. As chairperson, she will continue to explore how we can reduce Chicago's carbon footprint through a clean buildings plan, revisit the ComEd franchise agreement, and work closely with communities and advocates on environmental justice issues. Click here to view a full list of all Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy members, including Vice Chairman Timothy Knudsen (43), on the City Clerk's website. Our committee staff are as follows: Leslie Perkins - Chief of Staff & Policy Director Gina Parra-Hughes - Legislative Aide Ashley Parks - Community & Communications Outreach Coordinator Learn more about attending a Committee meeting, legislation before the committee, environmental programs and resources, and more by clicking the buttons below! Committee Meetings Committee Legislation