Infrastructure Our office is available to help answer questions you have related to infrastructure. If you have any questions, you can always reach us by emailing office@49thward.org or by calling (773) 338-5796 . Menu Allocations Metra Renovation Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Shoreline Study Speed Bumps

Property owners in Cook County may have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of property tax exemptions, resulting in savings on their property tax bill. Savings from these exemptions appear as deductions on the second installment property tax bills mailed in the summer. Residents applying for the Homeowner Exemption, the Senior Citizen Exemption, the Senior Freeze Exemption, and the Home Improvement Exemption must apply annually to receive the deduction on their property tax bills. The Cook County Assessor's Office has streamlined the application process by moving applications online into a single form. Homeowners can check the Cook County Portal website and review their Exemption History and Status to determine which expressions they received last year and if they will auto-renew thisyear. Property Tax Exemptions PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION SENIOR FREEZE EXEMPTION DISABLED VETERANS HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION HOME IMPROVEMENT EXEMPTION

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 .

Submit a Service Request Alderwoman Maria Hadden and her staff are devoted to providing the highest level of service to our constituents. If you need to request a service, simply fill out the form and a staff member will be in touch.

Street Sweeping The Department of Streets and Sanitation sweep the city’s streets April through mid-November, weather permitting. The city hangs bright orange temporary parking restrictions the day before sweeping service is scheduled to begin. Those who fail to move their vehicle between the restricted hours, between 9 am and 2 pm, will be eligible to receive a $60 ticket. The street sweeping schedule is available to view on the map below. You can also click the brackets located in the top right-hand corner to open the map in Google Maps or by clicking here . Sign Up for Street Sweeping Alerts We The Sweeple (formerly Sweep Around Us) is a third-party website that allows Chicagoans to sign up for email notifications whenever street sweeping is scheduled on their street. The website pulls information from the publicly available street sweeping schedule on the Department of Streets and Sanitation's website. Simply visit wethesweeple.com , enter your address, and then sign up for email alerts so you don't inadvertently miss a scheduled street sweeping on your block. Those who signed up for alerts in previous years will need to re-subscribe.

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

Business & Development Our office is dedicated to promoting new business and development in the 49th Ward. Please see click on one of the projects listed below for specific information pertaining to that business or development. If you have any questions, our staff can always be reached by emailing office@49thWard.org or calling (773) 338-5796 . Current Development Proposals Past Development Decisions Building Permits Liquor Moratorium Process Loading/Standing Zones Public Way Use & Sidewalk Cafes Rogers Park Business Alliance Zoning Changes

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? We have complimentary “No Parking” signs available for residential moves at the ward office. These are not, however, enforceable by ticket or towing. We ask that you hang the signs 48-hours prior to your move to give your neighbors adequate time to find alternative parking. 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 . Instructions on how to apply are available here . 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 (buildings with 5 or fewer units) 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.

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.

Chicago's 49th Ward Chicago's 49th Ward encompasses Rogers Park and parts of West Ridge. Bordered by Evanston to the north and Edgewater to the south, Chicago's 49th Ward is made up of rich diversity. See if you live in Chicago's 49th Ward by opening the map below in Google Maps and entering your address. Click the brackets on the upper right-hand corner of the map or click here to open in Google Maps.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program The City of Chicago has a new program that will replace lead service lines completely free for homeowners who qualify. You may be eligible for the Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program if you: Live in a two-flat or house that you own. Have a household income of $74,550 or less for a family of four. Have children 18 or under living with you OR have elevated lead levels in your drinking water as determined by testing done by the Chicago Department of Water Management. If you have questions about the program or would like to apply, call 312.742.2406 or visit www.LeadSafeChicago.org . Water Test Kit If you are concerned about the potential of elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested. The test kit consists of three bottles, a mailing box, and instructions. Follow the instructions included in your kit for collecting water samples in your home, put the bottles in the shipping box and place it in a location (such as the entryway or front door) for pick up by Department of Water Management (DWM) staff. If you would prefer to schedule a time for a DWM representative to come to your home to take water samples, keep in mind that this appointment must be scheduled for a time when you are home and you have not used your water for over 6 hours. Please call 311 or fill out the form online and a representative will reach out to you to schedule a visit. More information on water test kits is available on the Department of Water Management’s website . Additional information: Flushing The Water in Your Home DWM’s Water Quality FAQ Department of Public Health's Lead Poisoning Protection Page

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