Alderman Bennett Lawson - 44th Ward Chicago

Alderman Bennett Lawson
44th Ward
Seal of Chicago

44th Ward Staff Directory

Submit service requests/inquiries here or by emailing Ward44@CityofChicago.org. Please use one of these methods if you are unsure which staff member is relevant for your inquiry.

The 44th Ward Office is open from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday. See our Contact Page for a list of holidays/other special closures.

For media inquiries, please email Alex.Ponder@CityofChicago.org and Lara@CStrategies.com.

Alex Ponder – Director of Policy and Public Safety

  • Staff Oversight and Management
  • Policy & Legislation – Zoning, Business, Environment, Ethics, ADUs
  • Major Development Projects
  • Landmark Districts
  • Public Safety – 19th District CPD & CAPS, OEMC, CFD, Mental Health Response
  • Wrigley Field/Cubs – Development, Ordinances
  • Partnerships, Service Organizations, Non-Profits, Homeless Issues
  • LGBTQ+ Issues and Organizations, Pride Parade
  • New Arrival Support, Immigration Rights & Resources
  • Website, 44th Ward Newsletter, Social Media, Ward44 Inbox
  • 44th Ward Community Plan, 44th Ward Annual Reports, Surveys
  • Media and Press Calls (please CC Ward44@CityofChicago.org)
  • Constituent Outreach, Neighborhood Organizations, Planning & Zoning Advisory Council

Alex can be reached via email at Alex.Ponder@cityofchicago.org or (773) 525-6034 ext. 201

Jessica Papp – Director of Business Affairs and Special Events

  • Business Affairs, Liquor Licensing, Chambers of Commerce, SSA’s
  • Alderman’s Schedule
  • Parks and Gardens, AIDS Garden Chicago
  • Transit, CTA, Wrigley Field Traffic Operations and Parking
  • Special Events, Street Festivals
  • Public Art, Cultural Programs, Chicago Sculpture Exhibit
  • Intern/Volunteer Program, Part-time staff
  • Public Way Permits – Businesses, Sidewalk Cafes
  • Public Way – Signs, Markings, Legislation
  • Parking Oversight, Meters, City Clerk
  • Building Permit Reports
  • 10-day letters, Alley Access
  • Constituent Outreach

Jessica can be reached via email at Jessica.Papp@cityofchicago.org or (773) 525-6034 ext. 209

Jacob Shelly – Director of Infrastructure

  • Infrastructure Projects – Annual Menu Projects
  • Utility and Street Issues – Potholes, Lighting, Curbs & Gutters, Drainage/Flooding, Power Outages, Tree Emergencies
  • Building and Construction Site Issues
  • Forestry – Tree Planting/Removal, Stump Removal, Trimming
  • Water & Sewer Infrastructure
  • Public Way – Permits, Inspections
  • Bicycle Programs – Bike Lanes, Racks, Divvy, e-Scooters
  • Streets and Sanitation, Street Cleaning, Graffiti, Rodents
  • Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
  • Constituent Outreach, Ward44 Inbox, Smart Streets Advisory Council

Jake can be reached via email at Jacob.Shelly@cityofchicago.org or (773) 525-6034 ext. 203

Esme Borrero – Director of Education, Senior Affairs and Office Administration

  • Office Management, Purchasing
  • Schools, Libraries
  • Block Parties and Special Events
  • Animal Issues, Dog Parks
  • Senior Issues – Housing, Sewer Rebates, Housing, Annual Senior Picnic
  • Parking Ticket assistance, Guest Pass/RPP system, City Clerk issues, Letters of Exception
  • Ethics Officer
  • Constituent Outreach, Ward44 Inbox,

Esme can be reached via email at Esmeralda.Borrero@cityofchicago.org or (773) 525-6034 ext. 206

All Staff

  • General 311 Issues (Rodents, Graffiti, Trash/Recycling)
  • Front Desk – No Parking signs, Guest Passes/RPP System
  • Winter Services
  • Trash/recycling pickup
  • Voter Registration
  • Ward44 Inbox, Phones

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