48th Ward Residents to Vote on 2026 Participatory Budget of $1 Million

48th Ward residents will determine Mar. 1 how $1 million dollars in infrastructure funding will be spent as part of the ward’s annual participatory budgeting process. A virtual information session was held Feb. 18 where residents learned about 10 projects on the 2026 ballot to vote on.

The 48th Ward encompasses the Edgewater, Uptown and Andersonville neighborhoods and first introduced participatory budgeting in 2023. The annual budget allows residents of the ward to share their thoughts on local infrastructure projects.

“Participatory budgeting is how we decide together how to spend our discretionary funds in the 48th Ward,” Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) said. “It’s a democratic process — it enhances democracy, local democracy, transparency and engagement.”

Voting is available to residents of the 48th Ward who are at least 14 years old. The ballot utilizes rank choice voting to rank their preferences from one to five, or rank their top choice as number one for all five slots.

“Its important to get people involved as soon as possible. And if we can do that in high school, get people interested, all the better, because we know that once people start voting, then they get it kind of attached to the idea that they can participate, and they will do it consistently,” Manna-Hoppenworth said.

Manaa-Hoppenworth said the ward hopes to have around 1,000 voters. She said the ward is on-track for their goal.

The ballot includes 10 community-made project proposals compared to the 12 proposed last year, The Phoenix reported. All of the proposal ideas were put forward by residents through workshops and online forms created by the 48th ward office. 

Multiple proposals on the ballot highlight pedestrian safety at residential and arterial intersections. One of the proposals would implement concrete bumpouts at North Greenview Avenue and West Rosemont Avenue, North Greenview Avenue and West Highland Avenue and West Hood Avenue and North Lakewood Avenue. 

Another proposal would establish permanent bumpouts at Sheridan Road and Clark Street and at West Summerdale Avenue and North Clark Street. Ward officials reported in the virtual information session the intersection of West Summerdale Avenue and North Clark Street is one of the intersections which receives the most safety complaints from the community. 

A third pedestrian safety proposal would implement raised crosswalks near local Swift Elementary and Pierce Elementary. 

“Supporting pedestrian safety should be a priority for our community, especially young kids trying to walk to school,” second-year elementary education student Emily Linden said.

Several projects feature a blend of infrastructure and aesthetic designs for the community. The Lakefront Trail placemaking project would improve accessibility and visibility of the Ardmore Avenue east of Sheridan Road entrance with additional signage, public art and street furniture. 

The ballot features a proposal of a $100,000 dollar fund for creating decorative art on utility boxes along Bryn Mawr, Thorndale and Granville avenues. Another proposal would allot $50,000 dollars for public art projects to be selected based upon the communities approval. 

“I think artwork added to our community like the utility boxes or decorative sidewalks really adds character to our neighborhood, and I would love to see more of it,” third-year psychology student Sonya Ricaurte said.

More decorative crosswalks along Sheridan Road south of Foster Avenue are on the table. Similar crosswalks were funded in recent years, including crosswalks on Sheridan Road near Berger Park, two blocks south of Lakeshore campus. 

Park recreation and school upgrades are also on the ballot. One project proposal would add fencing around basketball courts near Foster Beach to limit balls from rolling onto the bike path.

Another project would support a new $50,000 dollar nature play area for pre-K students at Swift Elementary. The project includes natural play set elements, such as log and wood features to a pre-existing grass area. 

ADA accessibility improvements are incorporated in a $100,000 dollar project proposal to repair sidewalks in the community. The project would partner with Project Sidewalk and Access Living to identify inaccessible sidewalks and prioritize repairs for ADA access. 

“That sounds like a great idea for our community,” third-year nursing student Grace Caliendo said. “As a nursing student, I see firsthand how important accessibility is with my patients.”
Residents can vote online via the 48th ward’s website or in person at the ward’s office — located at 1129 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. — the Bezazian Library and the Edgewater Library. Voting will close Mar. 1 at 11:59 p.m.