Christmas Tree Recycling

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), in partnership with the Chicago Park District, is hosting their annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program at 27 locations throughout Chicago from January 11th - January 25th, 2025.

Each year, thousands of trees are mulched through the program, diverting trees from landfills and creating mulch for city residents, local parks and forests. 

Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off inside the tree recycling corrals at the designated locations. All ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off, and plastic bags used for transport should also be removed prior to placing the trees in the corrals.  

Below are the details for this year's event.

Shared Sidewalk Cost Program

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. New applicants can apply on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 6 am - 10 pm.  

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. 

Applications will only be accepted via the City’s 311 system. Applicants can apply for the program by calling 311 or visiting CHI311 online. 

Please click here for more information regarding the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program.

Winter Parking Restrictions

If you see a posted sign that says ‘No Parking’ between 3:00 am and 7:00 am that means that the winter overnight parking ban is in effect on this street, whether it snows or not.

Do not park at this location between 3:00 am and 7:00 am from December 1, 2024 - April 1, 2025 or you will be ticketed or towed. 

Visit the City of Chicago's winter snow parking restrictions page to learn more. Chicagoans can visit chicagoshovels.org or a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm.

FREE Smoke Alarms at the 42nd Ward Office

Please call our office at (312) 744-3062 to schedule a pick-up time for a free smoke detector! Pick-ups will be at City Hall, 121 N LaSalle Street, floor 200.  Most fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A smoke detector can alert you when there is a fire, in time to save your life.

Below are some tips to ensure your smoke detector is properly installed and working correctly:

• Make sure you are testing your detector correctly.
• When a smoke detector sounds, get outside and call 911. Stay outside!
• Install smoke detectors within 15 feet of any sleeping room and every level of your house
• Replace your smoke detector every 10 years. Write the install date on the unit.
• Don't forget to install Carbon Monoxide detectors on every floor as well.
• Any questions on smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, call the Chicago Fire Department Public Education Division at (312) 747-6691.

A special thank you to the Chicago Fire Department for the smoke detector! Smoke detectors can be picked up from the 42nd Ward Office between the hours of 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday located in City Hall, Room 200.

For any other questions or to coordinate picking up a smoke alarm, please call us at (312) 744-3062 or send us a note via office@ward42chicago.com. 

City of Chicago Warming Centers will be Open as Cold Weather Arrives for the Weekend and Into Next Week

Winter Weather Toolkit for Alders, Community Groups and Media

CHICAGO: The City of Chicago encourages residents to be prepared for cold temperatures through next week with cold temperatures in the teens and single digits beginning Friday, January 3 through next week. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions 24/7 and alert the public to any changes in the severity of the expected drop in temperatures and possible snow accumulation on Sunday, January 5 into Monday, January 6.

Warming Centers

The City coordinates a network of more than 190 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours.

Department of Family & Support Services

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the City’s six community service centers when temps are 32˚F or below.

• The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with reduced locations on holidays.
• Under extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended.
• Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
• Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
• Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1.
• DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks.
• Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.

Warming Centers Center Locations available on Friday, January 3 and Monday, January 6 – Friday, January 10.

All Community Service Centers (9am-5pm)

• Englewood Community Service Center - 1140 West 79th Street
• Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue
• Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center - 4314 South Cottage Grove
• North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue
• South Chicago Community Service Center - 8650 South Commercial Avenue
• Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue

Senior Centers (8:30am-4:30pm) – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations

Chicago Public Library locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations

Chicago Park District locations

Chicago Police Districts

Warming Center Locations available on Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5

Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue (9am-5pm)

Chicago Public Library, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations

Chicago Park District locations during hours of operation

Chicago Police Districts

To find the closest warming center and hours residents can contact 3-1-1 via phone of online at 311.chicago.gov, download the Chicago OEMC, or visit the data portal link.- Warming Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal.

Warming center hours may be extended, along with other supports when the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) enacts the City’s Emergency Operations Plan for extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service. Please visit the OEMC website for up-to-date information during extreme weather events.

Weather Preparedness and Weather Forecasts

For Winter safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information, DSS Snowplow Tracker and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar and public safety information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, Chicago.gov/OEMC.

It’s important to be prepared and take safety precautions. Residents are reminded to make your family, home and vehicles are prepared for winter conditions. Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether home or traveling, so it’s important to stay informed. OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / CAPS018District@chicagopolice.org)

• Beat 1824 will meet on January 16th at 6pm at The Clark Apartments (1201 N Clark Street)
• Beat 1831 will meet on January 21st at 5pm at the Anti Cruelty Society (510 N LaSalle Street)
• Beat 1832 will meet on January 21st at 6pm at the Anti Cruelty Society (510 N LaSalle Street)
• Beat 1833 will meet on January 23rd at 5pm at Northwestern University (327 E Superior Street)
• Beat 1834 will meet on January 23rd at 6pm at Northwestern University (327 E Superior Street)

1st District: (312-745-4381 / CAPS001District@chicagopolice.org)

• Beat 111 will meet on January 8th at 3pm via Zoom
• Beat 121 will meet on January 15th at 3pm via Zoom



For Zoom links and other updates please email caps.001district@chicagopolice.org