Neighborhood Services

The Neighborhood Services team for the 48th ward is dedicated to assisting our constituents in navigating bureaucracy, making connections with community partners, and ensuring that city services meet the needs of our neighbors. We are responsible for processing 311 service requests, fulfilling constituent inquiries, and reaching out to city departments on behalf of the constituents we serve.

Our team strives to respond to inquiries within 2-3 business days, and we are proud to maintain a phone pick-up rate of over 90% during regular business hours.

Service Requests

For non-emergency city services, use 311 by dialing 3-1-1, going to 311.Chicago.gov, or using the CHI 311 app (Apple store or Google Play) on your mobile device.

Submit Neighborhood Services requests to the 48th ward office here or via the button below.

You can also search for and follow along with local city projects at the ChiStreetWork website.

Common Ward Office Requests

Below, please find common ward office requests. If you have questions, contact us at 773-784-5277 or info@the48thward.org

  • A block party permit grants you permission to close your residential street to traffic and occupy the street for a block party with your neighbors. Block parties must be open to all residents of the given block, so residents should make efforts to engage their neighbors in these events.

    Use this form to request a Block Party permit.

    You may request a bouncy house from the city’s Jumping Jack program. These are approved on a first-come first-served basis so put your request in as soon as possible.

    To request a fire truck at your Block Party, complete the CFD Presence Request form and email it to the address listed on the form at least two (2) weeks before your Block Party date. Please note that a fire truck presence is not guaranteed, even if the request is submitted within the specified timeframe.

  • The City of Chicago requires permits for garage, yard, and apartment sales to guard against perpetual yard sales. Residents planning a sale can obtain their required permits through our office.

    There is no fee for these permits. Please complete this form to request a permit.

  • If a neighbor lives adjacent to a residential parking zone, they can request a letter of exception from the Alderwoman’s office which allows them to park in a nearby permitted zone. These letters are given in a limited number of cases. 

    For more information, please submit a Service Request to our office.

  • Complimentary, non-enforceable, No Parking signs are available to residents of the 48th ward for residential moves. To obtain signs for your move, please submit this form and then come by our office at 1129 W Bryn Mawr to pick them up.

    No Parking signs are available for an eight hour window, between the hours of 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm. Residents may not reserve space for more than one day. Signs must be picked up and posted at least 3 days in advance of the move.

    Please note that these signs are non-enforceable; these are offered as a courtesy.

    Important notes about sign placement:

    • Signs must be posted in legal parking spaces.

    • Street cleaning signs take precedence over moving signs. Vehicles parked when street cleaning signs are posted are subject to ticket.

    • Do not post signs in existing Loading Zones, marked Tow Zones, driveways, crosswalks, or at a fire hydrant.

    • Residential Moving Signs are not valid on commercial streets with paid/Pay Box parking.

    NOTE: If you or your moving company do not comply with the above requirements, our office is not liable for any citations or enforcement that occur.

    The Chicago Department of Transportation also offers enforceable No Parking signs for residential moves. For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide enforceable signs to eligible moving companies (enabling ticketing or towing) for the day of the move. For more information on this program, please see the Department of Transportation’s permit portal.

    NOTE: Moving pods / containers are not allowed on the public way –  no exceptions. By City ordinance, those pods cannot be on the public way (sidewalks, streets, curbs, parkways, and alleys) and if they are, the renter of the pod will face steep fines. Moving pods can only be placed on private property or in a privately owned parking space or driveway.

  • Residents can submit parking violations for review for vehicles that are parked in tow zones, school zones, and bike lanes by submitting a 311 request here.

  • The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) requires that any request for a speed hump/bump includes a minimum of 65 signatures from neighboring residents to indicate their support. Here is a template for your convenience.

    Once you have gathered the required signatures, submit your completed application to the 48th ward office for consideration, either via email to development@the48thward.org, or in person.

    Please note that submitting the application does not guarantee that the project will be implemented.

  • Chicago uses mechanical street sweepers to remove debris and litter from streets every year beginning April 1st through the fall season.

    See this page for the 2024 street cleaning map and schedule.

    Parking is prohibited on streets that are being swept, and the fine for violating the parking restriction is up to $60 on first notice. Orange temporary signs will indicate which day of the week each side is being swept and the specific hours of the parking restriction.

    Please note that some streets also have permanently posted signs that specify either a once-per-week or two-days-per- month period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping.

    For information about sewer cleaning, see the City Resources section below.

  • The City of Chicago uses a grid system for tree trimming with 1-2 trim crews from the Bureau of Forestry (BoF) trimming trees in a 16-block area, or "grid," on a given day of the week.

    BoF trims every tree in the grid, and if these trees are properly cared for, they should not need to be trimmed again for at least five years.

    See this page for a map of tree trimming in the 48th ward and updates as the grid is trimmed.

    If you have an emergency tree removal request, file a 311 report.

Health and Safety

Our office believes that everyone in Chicago should have equitable, constitutional, and responsive health and safety systems. It takes all of us to make our neighborhoods safe. Policies that support equitable infrastructure investments, expanded support services, and community wellness all contribute to health and safety. 

Collaboration is the best way to keep our community safe. When we work together, we create proactive approaches to safe neighborhoods, rather than reactive ones.

If you have any questions, contact our office at 773-784-5277 or info@the48thward.org

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, here are some mental health resources available to you.

    In case of emergency, dial 911.

    Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8

    Call or text: 9-8-8 (24/7 availability)
    Web: 988lifeline.org

    9-8-8 is a three-digit dialing code that connects callers in crisis to trained counselors that will listen, provide support, and connect them to additional resources if necessary.

    Social Services: 2-1-1

    Phone or text: 2-1-1 (24/7 availability)
    Web: 211metrochicago.org

    Chicago and suburban Cook County residents have access to a local 2-1-1 service—changing the landscape for how we meet the needs of our neighbors.

    2-1-1 is a free service that connects you to essential health and social service support and information during times of non-emergency crisis and for everyday needs. 

    Trilogy Mobile Response Team

    Phone: 800-322-8400 (24/7 availability)
    Web: www.trilogyinc.org

    Trilogy is a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization that supports people in mental health recovery to build meaningful and independent lives. They provide a mobile crisis intervention and response unit to address a growing need for mental health crisis support.  

    Thresholds Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT)

    Phone: 773-572-5464 (24/7 availability) 
    Web: www.thresholds.org

    MCRT is a new program in Chicago that provides access to emergency mental health intervention to people experiencing a mental health crisis in the following Chicago zip codes: 60613, 60640, and 60657. Thresholds clinicians response to the mental health crisis, acting as an alternative to hospitalization or police response.

    C4's Mobile Crisis Intervention Program

    Phone: 872-235-0600
    Web: www.c4chicago.org

    Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) services follow the crisis continuum, emphasizing a least restrictive approach to mental health care with no police or EMS intervention.

    C4's skilled Mobile Crisis Response Team is trained to de-escalate crises without involving law enforcement or emergency medical services. 

    C4 offers swift connections to crisis stabilization programs and other services are facilitated to ensure timely support.  

  • Throughout the year, the 48th ward office hosts various events to help ensure the wellness of our neighbors. These include:

    • Electronics and hazardous materials recycling

    • Older adult resource fairs

    • Shredding events

    • Vaccine clinics

    • and more!

    To find out when and where these events are happening, subscribe to our newsletter and check the 48th Ward Events Calendar.

  • Senior Well Being Checks
    If you know an older adult whose health, safety or general well being are in question, submit a request for Senior Well Being Check using 311 here.

    Unhoused Neighbors
    If you are concerned about an unhoused neighbor in our ward, you may submit a Service Request to our office with information about the situation. We will forward your concern to the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Homeless Outreach & Prevention (HOP) team.

    Alternatively, you may call 311 and ask for a “crisis referral.”

  • For aircraft noise complaints, call 311 or submit a Aircraft Noise Complaint via 311 here.

    For issues with garbage truck noise, call 311 or file a 311 Garbage Truck Noise Complaint request here.

    For equipment noise issues, like excessive noise coming from air conditioners, compressors, generators, or any other piece of industrial or commercial equipment between 8pm and 8am, call 311 or file a 311 Noise Complaint request here.

  • Helpline: 1-800-222-1222

    Concerned about an exposure to a potentially harmful substance? Call the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) helpline. IPC has a staff of nurses and pharmacists who are specially trained in poisoning and toxicology and who can give you advice during a poisoning emergency. 

    IPC’s helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Poison specialists are compassionate and knowledgeable and offer services in English, Spanish and many other languages. 

    Learn more at IPC’s website.

  • All police districts are divided into police beats. Find out what beat you are in here and learn about police beat meetings here.

    CAPS Information

    To get accurate and official information regarding incidents, help navigating the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and/or get involved with your local PD, contact your CAPS offices.

    These offices are designed for the community to be able to inquire with CPD for a myriad of resources. CAPS offices are usually staffed from 5-8 by sworn officers that have different roles. See below to connect with them.

    Beat Community Meetings

    Beat community meetings are a key part of the CAPS strategy of partnerships and problem solving.

    These meetings, held on all 279 police beats in the City, provide a regular opportunity for police officers, residents, and other community stakeholders to exchange information; identify and prioritize problems; and begin developing solutions to those problems.

    To attend your local beat meeting:

    1. Look up your District and Beat here.

    2. Go to the Community Engagement Calendar and select your District in the pull-down menu in the upper right hand corner. The calendar will display Beat meetings in your District.

  • In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance creating a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. The ordinance created two bodies: a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils, which are elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety in the district.

    The Commission and District Councils are intended to bring police officers and Chicago residents together to plan, prioritize, and build mutual trust; strengthen the police accountability system; give Chicagoans a meaningful new role in oversight; and explore and advance alternative effective approaches to public safety.

    Police District Councils

    The 48th ward includes Police Districts 20 and 24. To determine which Police District you live in, go here.

    Each District Council hosts monthly meetings that are open to the public. For information about attending meetings, see your Council's site:

  • Do not engage with a violent offender, do not take things into your hands, do not put others in harm's way.  

    IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911

    Examples of emergencies include: 

    • There's a fire

    • Someone is unconscious

    • Someone suddenly seems very sick (ex: having a hard time speaking/breathing or turning blue)

    • Someone is choking

    • You witness an active break-in or armed robbery, assault, etc. 

    • You witness or are in a serious car accident

    When you call 911, be prepared to calmly provide information such as: 

    • Your name

    • Your location

    • Type of assistance needed (law enforcement, fire department, ambulance)

    • Details about the emergency your are experiencing or witnessing

    • Physical descriptions of those involved

  • Call 911 and be prepared to give a statement once the police arrive. If you need to file a report (for example, if the incident was not documented), you can do it online, at your nearest Police District, or by calling 311. Click here to file a report online. Click here to find your nearest Police District station. 

    Your local police station can also provide you with resources for victims of crime, depending on what incident occurred, where, etc. Reach out to your local police department for more information.

    You can also reach out to your local community justice center run by the Cook County State's Attorney office, find out more by clicking here. 

    You also check out CPD’s Community Policing page for more resources by clicking here.

    The Illinois Attorney General's office also offers assistance. If you or someone you know has been impacted by a violent crime, please call ILAG’s toll-free Crime Victims Assistance Line for more information: 1-800-228-3368 (Voice) 1-877-398-1130 (TTY). You can also apply for compensation or learn more by clicking here.

City Resources

All Chicagoans can find helpful information on the City of Chicago website. Below, find quick links to some frequently requested resources.

If you have any questions, contact our office at 773-784-5277 or info@the48thward.org

  • CityKey is a free 4-in-1 municipal ID for all Chicagoans, regardless of age, gender, immigration status or housing status.

    With a CityKey ID, Chicagoans can unlock access to all our city has to offer. It serves as an official form of ID, library card, Ventra card, and Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. It provides savings at local participating Chicago businesses, sporting events, and cultural institutions.

    Find out more about getting your own CityKey ID at the City Clerk website.

  • For information on residential garbage collection, see the City of Chicago website.

    The City's residential Blue Cart program provides bi-weekly recycling services to single-family homes and multi-unit buildings with four or fewer units. Learn more at the City of Chicago website.

    There are many composting opportunities in Chicago, including Food Scrap Drop-off and Community Composting. Learn about those programs and more at the City of Chicago website.

    For information about electronics recycling and hazardous waste disposal, see the City of Chicago website.

  • For information on presenting a claim to the City of Chicago for items like vehicle or property damage, see this page on the City website.

  • For information about property taxes, including appealing your assessment, see the Cook County Property Tax Portal.

  • Housing is a human right. Here are some resources for renters who may be experiencing housing difficulties.

    The City of Chicago website provides many additional resources for renters, including explanations of renters’ rights.

  • Sewers/catch basins that are full of dirt or debris or that are not draining properly can be reported for cleaning via the 311 system. Be sure to include the approximate address and the location (i.e., near the curb, in the street, or in the alley) of the sewer.

    Note: Cleaning of catch basins on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

    The Department of Water Management (DWM) follows a cleaning and maintenance schedule for all sewers in the City of Chicago.

    You can request a public sewer be cleaned by submitting a Sewer Cleaning Inspection Request. The City will inspect public sewer structures, assess if they are draining properly and, if necessary, perform a deep cleaning to remove dirt and debris obstructions. 

    • If you experience flooding in your basement, submit a Water in Basement complaint.

    • If standing water remains on the street 24 hours after a rainstorm, submit a Water on the Street complaint

    While each City storm sewer is cleaned approximately every three years, DWM requests that residents also assist by removing day-to-day thick layers of debris and leaves from public catch basins.

  • Use the following links to learn more about utility services in the City of Chicago:

    Paying municipal utility bills.

  • All Chicago residents driving and/or parking a vehicle for which they are responsible in the City of Chicago must purchase and display a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker from the Chicago City Clerk.

    For vehicle registration information, see the Illinois Secretary of State.

    For information about abandoned vehicles and Chicago tow yards, see the Streets and Sanitation site.

    To contest a driving/parking ticket, see this City of Chicago site or contact the ticket helpline at 312.744.7275 M-F 7am-7pm CT.

  • In Illinois, residents can register at any time, including at the polls on Election Day.

    For information about registering to vote, your registration status, and all other voting information, see the Chicago Board of Elections website.