Ward Night Recap: February 17, 2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our February 17 Ward Night. Here’s a brief summary of what we discussed:

• AFFORDABLE HOUSING. There are multiple ways to define affordable housing, but in Chicago, affordable housing units are generally priced to be affordable to people making 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In the 48th Ward, we want to see more affordable housing that meets this standard as well as more deeply affordable housing for people whose income is lower than 60% AMI.

  • Read more about Green Social Housing, one of our many initiatives to develop affordable units in the ward.

  • Click here for a map of all of the ARO units in the city.

  • Three affordable units (two 1-bedroom apartments and one 2-bedroom apartment) are now available for rent at The Mabel Exchange (5920 N Ridge)

• BERGER PARK LIGHTING. We discussed the bright lighting along the lakefront in Chicago parks, especially Berger Park. If you have an issue in a Chicago Park, contact the Park District here.

  • The Chicago Park District is currently undergoing their first ever participatory budgeting process! Learn more and pitch ideas here.

  • Learn more about Dark Skies initiatives and light pollution here.

• 48TH WARD PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING. Voting is open for PB 2026! Toward the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, neighbors pitched ward infrastructure projects, now it’s time to vote for your favorites. Learn more here.

• EMANUEL CONGREGATION / FERN HILL DEVELOPMENT. Emanuel Congregation, in partnership with Fern Hill Company, has formally submitted a zoning change request to the 48th Ward Office. They are proposing the redevelopment of the Emanuel Congregation synagogue and two other adjoining land sites into a mixed-use Planned Development project at 5959 N Sheridan, 5948 N Sheridan, and 5965 N Sheridan. The proposed project includes complementary neighborhood uses including the synagogue, new residential, limited ground-floor commercial, and accessory parking.

  • For more information see the slides from the January 22 congregation meeting here.

  • Join us for an in-person community meeting at Emanuel Congregation on Thursday, February 26. Register here.

  • The online feedback period for their zoning change request is now open and will remain open for two weeks after the community meeting. To view project details and submit feedback, click here.

• SNOW SHOVELING. When it snows, it's the resident or building manager's responsibility to clear snow from the sidewalk. Snow that falls between 7am-7pm should be cleared by 10pm, and snow that falls between 7pm-7am should be cleared by 10am. 

  • If you need help shoveling snow or want to volunteer to help your neighbors shovel, fill out our 48th ward shovel squad form. 

  • To report sidewalks that have not been cleared (shoveled or salted) within 15 hours of a snow or sleet event, you can file a Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk Complaint via 311.

Our next Ward Night meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 5:30pm. Register here.