Ward Nights Do you have something you want to share directly with the Alderwoman? She hosts virtual Ward Night on Wednesdays from 5-7 pm to discuss ideas, suggestions, concerns, and questions one-on-one with 49th Ward residents. To sign up for a time slot, visit calendly.com/mariahadden/ward-night .

Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence City of Chicago’s Domestic Violence Hotline The City of Chicago Family & Support Services operates the City’s Domestic Violence Hotline. Callers to the Help Line are provided with general domestic violence information, referrals to domestic violence services and a three-way phone linkage between the caller and the domestic violence services. Trained domestic violence advocates – Victim Information and Referral Advocates (VIRAs) – staff the phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VIRAs provide victims with immediate information about their options, information on safety planning, referrals to community-based providers including shelters, counseling, legal advocacy, civil legal services, supervised child visitation centers, and perpetrator services. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural Spanish-speaking VIRAs are always available and operators can access the Language Line for over 140 other languages. For assistance, call the hotline at 1.877.863.6338. Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) HOW is the third-largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago and serves over 600 households annually. HOW provides access to stable and affordable housing through the creation and maintenance of housing units for households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including women experiencing domestic violence. HOW takes all referrals for our supportive housing programs from Chicago's Coordinated Entry System (CES). They do not maintain a separate waitlist for these programs and do not accept direct case manager referrals. If you or someone you know is seeking temporary or permanent supportive housing, the person seeking housing must call 312-361-1707 to complete a housing assessment. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Please note, this may or may not lead to a housing option and does not solve your immediate housing crisis. If you are in need of shelter please call 3-1-1 to request transportation to a shelter. Contact ChicagoCES@csh.org with questions. Between Friends Between Friends is a nonprofit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. Through their 24-Hour helpline, counseling, and legal assistance, they provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals and families in crisis, while educating communities as part of the movement to end domestic violence. If you need immediate help, call their 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-603-435. Additional services, including counseling and legal assistance, are available. Visit betweenfriendschicago.org to learn more. Apna Ghar Apna Ghar is a human rights organization working to end gender violence with an evidence-based model that factors in macro and micro level conditions that create the unique barriers that program participants face. They offer a 24-Hour Crisis Line, Safe Emergency Housing, Case Management & Social Services Advocacy, Counseling, Legal Assistance, and Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange Services. If you need immediate help, call their 24-Hour Crisis Line at (773) 334-4663. WINGS WINGS is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing an escape route for victims of domestic abuse. On any given night, WINGS two emergency shelters provide housing for those fleeing violent situations one in the northwest suburbs and one on the southwest side of Chicago. Their safe houses have enough capacity to house 85 people each night, with a maximum stay length of 120 days. Additionally, WINGS operates over 50 houses and apartments throughout the city to provide transitional and permanent housing for survivors. WINGS also provides counseling and planning services. If you need immediate help, call their 24-Hours Crisis Hotline at (847) 221-5680. To learn more about the services they provide, call them at 847-519-7828 or visit their website at wingsprogram.com . Ascend Justice Ascend Justice is a legal aid group specifically for victims of domestic violence. They currently provide legal assistance to individuals and families surrounding economic issues, family defense legal services, divorce, custody arrangements, visitation, child support, orders of protection, and immigration services. Please note, you must be a survivor of gender-based violence to receive these services. If you would like more information and to learn how to apply for services, please visit their website at ascendjustice.org . The Network's Survivor Crisis Fund The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence established the Survivor Crisis Fund to address critical gaps in the safety net for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Once an application is received, we will review it for eligibility for any funds we currently have and will provide a response. The basic eligibility to receive funding is that you are a victim/survivor of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and/or human trafficking. Beyond that, we have various eligibility guidelines imposed by our funding sources. This financial assistance is intended to be a one-time payment. Learn more and apply at the-network.org/survivor-fund/ .

City Council Alderpeople are legislators and members of the City Council elected to serve a four-year term. In Rogers Park, Alderwoman Hadden was elected to serve to represent the residents of Chicago's 49th Ward. In her role, Alderwoman Hadden addresses a number of legislative issues, from introducing and voting on ordinances to voting on an annual budget. Click through the links below to learn more about legislation Alderwoman Hadden has spearheaded, the committees she sits on, how she's voted on budget proposals, and some of the community-driven initiatives she's undertaken to help her set a legislative agenda at City Hall. Budget Votes Committees Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy Legislation

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program offers an opportunity for owner/occupants to share the cost of replacing sidewalks with the City. This voluntary program allows residents to replace sidewalks at a much lower cost than if they were to hire a private contractor. The program covers the main walk, the courtesy walk, and existing catwalks/landing steps (the narrow strip of concrete adjacent to some curbs). Owner-occupants of corner houses will be charged for both the main (address) side and the sidewalk on the side of the house. CDOT will build ADA-compliant ramps where applicable, with the City paying the entire cost of the ramps. The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is very popular and is handled on a first-come, first served basis when the program opens in January. The funds are limited and the program closes for the year once the funds are allocated. The Department of Transportation typically announces when the program will open in mid-December. Keep your eye on my weekly e-newsletter and this website for that announcement. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again when it re-opens. Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system or at the city’s Shared Cost Sidewalk website . Owner information and the property address must be provided at the time of the request. Further information on the program is available by clicking here .

49th Ward Schools We want to lift up the 49th Ward neighborhood schools by recognizing all the great work that they do. Share a reason why you love our local CPS schools on social media by using the hashtag #SchoolsShineIn49. Want something related to schools in the newsletter ? Email us at Office@49thWard.org to tell us about it! EUGENE FIELD GALE JORDAN KILMER NEW FIELD SULLIVAN

Economic Relief Resources Click each tab below to explore and learn more about programs that can provide some financial relief to eligible households. Not finding what you're looking for? You can also visit 211metrochicago.org or dial 2-1-1 to connect with a variety of resources. 2-1-1 is an information and referral resource, helping connect people to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more Food & Nutrition Health Care Utilities Food & Nutrition A Just Harvest Located at 7649 N. Paulina Street in the 49th Ward, A Just Harvest offers a community meal to go daily between 12-2 pm. They also host a food pantry every Wednesday between 3-5 pm. For more information, visit their website . Care For Real Care for Real distributes free, fresh, nutritious food to neighbors in Rogers Park every Thursday from 3-6 pm at the United Church of Rogers Park located at 1545 W. Morse. For more information, visit Care For Real's website . Ignatian Mission Center Located at 1735 W. Greenleaf, the Ignatian Mission Center's food pantry is open Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and midday Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who lives in the area bounded by Granville Avenue on the south, Howard Street on the north, Lake Michigan on the east and Western Avenue on the west can receive food from the pantry once a month, as long as they meet income levels. For more information, click her e. Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP/LINK Cards help individuals and families purchase groceries. By providing money for groceries, SNAP frees up household income for other necessities, like medicine or utilities. In Illinois, the SNAP/LINK Card Program is overseen by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). There are eligibility requirements for income, employment, and citizenship. You can apply in person, over the phone, or online. For more information, visit wegotyouillinois.org/snap . Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. You can learn more and access the pre-screening tool found here to determine your eligibility. The Child and Adult Care Food Program(CACFP) CACFP partially reimburses participating agencies providing healthy meals and snacks at Adult Day Service Centers under the Community Care Program. For more information about the CACFP program, visit the website here or contact: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) One Natural Resources Way, #100 Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Phone: (217) 782-2407 or 1-800-252-8966 Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program These services include both home-delivered meals (such as Meals on Wheels) and healthy meals served in group settings, such as senior centers and faith-based locations. In addition, the programs provide a range of services including nutrition screening, assessment, education, and counseling. Nutrition services also provide an important link to other supportive in-home and community-based supports such as homemaker and home-health aide services, transportation, physical activity and chronic disease self-management programs, home repair and modification, and falls prevention programs. More information on this program can be found here . Your local nutrition site can be found using the website and you can also call 1-800-677-1116. Health Care Get Covered Illinois In 2026, Illinois moved from HealthCare.gov to a state-based marketplace. This marketplace allows Illinois residents to compare health plans, enroll in a plan, and get financial help to lower the monthly costs of coverage. To learn more, visit getcovered.illinois.gov . Medicaid Medicaid is a jointly funded state and Federal government program that pays for medical assistance services. Medicaid pays for medical assistance for eligible children, parents, and caretakers of children, pregnant women, persons who are disabled, blind, or 65 years of age or older, those who were formerly in foster care services, and adults aged 19-64 who are not receiving Medicare coverage and who are not the parent or caretaker relative of a minor child. You can discover if you are eligible here . For information on Illinois Medicaid, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website here . Medicare Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, people under the age of 65 with certain disabilities, people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More information about Medicare in Illinois can be found here . In order to apply for Medicare benefits, plan participants are instructed to contact their local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213. Plan participants may also sign up for Medicare Part A via the SSA website at www.socialsecurity.gov . To ensure that benefits are coordinated appropriately and to prevent financial liabilities with healthcare claims, plan participants must notify the State of Illinois CMS Medicare COB Unit when they become eligible for Medicare. The Medicare COB Unit can be reached by calling 1-800-442-1300 or (217) 782-7007. CDPH Mental Health Centers The Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers offer care that provides support for emotional, traumatic, or behavioral difficulties. All Mental Health Centers provide outpatient mental health services for adults, children and adolescents including intake/screening, individual therapy, group therapy, case management, and medication management (same-day medication appointments).Support is based on needs identified by the consumer, including goals, objectives, and specific mental health services. These services are provided free of charge to all Chicagoans who are unable to pay. For more information and locations, click here . National Alliance on Mental Health The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI runs educational programs and a toll-free NAMI help line . You can find your local NAMI office in Illinois by using the website. You can also visit the NAMI Illinois website directly for more information. You can call the NAMI National Help Line at 800-950-6264, Monday through Friday, 9 am-9 pm CST. Or in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. The Illinois NAMI office can be contacted via: 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 600 Evanston, IL 60201 Office: 217-522-1403 nami@namiillinois.org Utilities Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months). Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by the Department of Commerce are eligible. Annual eligibility levels are determined based on available funding and may not exceed 60% of the state median income. See How to Apply for more information. For a complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county, see Where to Apply . For additional program information check out the Frequently Asked Questions . Or call Help Illinois Families call center at 1-833-711-0374. ComEd Payment Assistance ComEd offers a variety of programs, from their Low Income Discount (LID) program to payment programs, visit ComEd's website to learn more and see which programs you are eligible for. Peoples Gas Peoples Gas offers energy assessments and rebates for residential and business uses. Learn more about Peoples Gas's utility assistance programs by clicking here . Utility Billing Relief Program Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Learn more and apply on the City of Chicago's website . CEDA CEDA’s LIHEAP programs offer heating and electricity assistance through the DVP program to income-eligible households. DVP issues a one-time benefit applied directly to your utility accounts. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane) and/or electric bills. Cash payments are also available to eligible renters who do not have heating bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. The LIHEAP program begins on October 1 and runs until August 15, or until funds are exhausted. To help the most vulnerable populations within communities, there will be one priority month. To learn more, click here . Chicago Connected Chicago Connected was a groundbreaking program that provided no-cost, high-speed internet service to CPS students and their families. This first-of-its-kind program was one of the largest efforts by any city to provide internet access for students. Through partnerships with businesses, community groups, governments, and philanthropic organizations, Chicago Connected responded to an opportunity to eliminate a barrier to digital learning that disproportionately hurt the city’s low‐income families and students of color. To learn more, click here . Lifeline Lifeline is a federal program that helps people with low incomes get discounted telephone or internet service. Learn about eligibility, applying, and getting help with your service by clicking here .

Legislation Learn more about the legislative priorities of Alderwoman Hadden and the issues facing the City of Chicago below. While you're here, stay up-to-date on what's happening at City Hall by signing up for the 49th Ward e-newsletter. Once a month, a special edition is sent out covering City Hall Updates. Sign up at bit.ly/49thwardnews . Want to view past editions of the legislative newsletter? Visit the City Council Updates Archive on the 49th Ward website by clicking here . Education Ethics & Good Government Health & Environment Housing & Affordability Police Accountability & Public Safety Social Justice & Equity Workers & Economy

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

Leadership Councils In January 2025, the Alderwoman and staff held three orientations informing folks about the Environmental Leadership Council and Community Leadership Council that would start out in February. Throughout this year, 49th Ward residents have been meeting about once a month to engage with one another to pinpoint priorities and work on solutions to make the 49th Ward a better place. In January 2026, the two councils combined into one Advisory Leadership Council that will meet quarterly throughout the year. 2025 Co-Chairs From Left to Right: Jordan Brown (CLC), Imeña Valdes (ELC), Viral Mistry (ELC), Karen Schauwecker (ELC), Sam Young (CLC), Jim Ginderske (CLC), Greg Wangerin (CLC) Committee Staffer: Gina Parra-Hughes 49th Ward Staffer: Tony Sandifer Want to learn more? Click the buttons below to learn about each of the Leadership Councils! Environmental Leadership Council Community Leadership Council

Resources for Seniors We are here to help, from public safety to consumer fraud concerns, from county tax issues to federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Our Ward Service Office will always go beyond city issues to be your local resource for all government services. We work closely with Cook County Commissioners to help guide senior citizens on receiving applicable property tax exemptions. You can find your Cook County Commissioner by accessing the Chicago Board of Elections’ website . You can also download property tax exemption forms on the Cook County Assessor’s website . Senior Well-Being Check Department of Family Support Services Chicago Department on Aging Senior Sewer Exemption & Rebate Property Tax Exemption

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

Loading/Standing Zones Loading Zones Loading zones are for the loading and unloading of deliveries to buildings. These zones are for commercial vehicles.They are not designated to reserve parking for business patrons or employees. Any commercial vehicle may park in any loading zone for the purpose of loading and unloading for up to thirty minutes. 15-Minute Standing Zones Standing zones are designated areas in the parking lane for temporary parking. Vehicles parking in standing zones must have their hazard lights flashing while the driver is away from the vehicle. Application Process In October 2020, CDOT migrated loading and standing zone permits to the IPS-11 permitting system. This migration allows loading zone permittees a more efficient way to apply for, manage, and pay for their private benefit sign permits. Permittees will have to create a new account or log in to their existing account in the permit portal. This will allow them to easily pay their fees and update their account information. Loading zone permittees must use this permit portal to pay their initial fees and their renewal fees. The links shown below will provide you with information on this process. Application