Participatory Budgeting

A new process for “menu money” allocation is here in the 46th Ward! Alderman Angela Clay is empowering residents through participatory budgeting (PB) to decide how to spend over $1 million to improve their neighborhood – whether it be fixing specific curbs, resurfacing certain streets, improving street lighting, or installing bike lanes.  If there is an infrastructure problem you’ve noticed in our community, this is your opportunity to highlight the potential for this improvement.  Eligible submissions will be evaluated by staff and a team of volunteers before there is a ballot that all 46th Ward residents will be able to vote on in order to determine how over $1M of menu funds .

2024 Cycle

Stay tuned for more information this summer on Participatory Budgeting 2024! In the meantime, you can submit a potential project or repair below.

What is “menu money” and what can it be spent on?

Every year, each Alderperson receives over $1 million for ward infrastructure improvements. This is the sole source of funding made available to Alderpeople to repave streets, resurface alleys, and make critically needed infrastructure improvements.

There are a few basic considerations for menu money allocation, they include:  

  • The project must be a "capital improvement" e.g. bricks, cement, asphalt, and steel 

  • The project must be for public property - city streets, sidewalks, alleys, or public parks and schools.

  • The project must be in the 46th Ward.

There are a number of things menu money allocation cannot include, some key examples:

  • Does NOT include routine repairs like filling potholes, graffiti removal, requesting a new garbage cart (This can be done via 3-1-1)

  • Does NOT include any non permanent infrastructure including purchasing equipment, hiring staff, or funding programs.   

  • Trees are not PB eligible. To request a new tree, please email info@46thward.com.

There are a number of standard types of projects that include pre-set prices from CDOT (aka a “menu” of options– where the term “menu money” gets its name!).  Projects outside of this “menu” can in some cases still receive funding allocation, but they often require a more in-depth review and pricing process.  Standard projects include: Residential street resurfacing, alley repaving, bike lane infrastructure, street lights, and pedestrian safety infrastructure such as bump outs and pedestrian refuge islands.  

Although sidewalks are sometimes considered and voted on as part of our participatory budgeting process, given the large number of sidewalks in need of repairs, the 46th Ward office will prioritize blocks that have sidewalks with large portions in great need of repair. We encourage individual homeowners seeking to fix the sidewalk immediately adjacent to their home to explore the City's shared sidewalk program.

2023 Cycle

Voting has concluded! The 46th Ward office is now working with CDOT and other relevants departments to get cost estimates for proposed project. Please stay tuned for updates. All authorized projects will be posted below.

The results of those surveys were as follows:

  • 51% of funds should be spent on repairs, 49% on new infrastructure

  • Priorities for repairs are 1) sidewalks, 2) residential streets, and 3) alley reconstruction

  • Priorities for new infrastructure are 1) pedestrian safety, 2) park and green space improvements, and 3) lighting improvements

Vote Now!: January 12th, 2023 through Friday, February 2nd.

We are currently in the Voting Phase! 46th Ward residents age 16 and up are eligible to vote in Participatory Budgeting.

Click here to vote!

Voting will take place beginning January 12th, 2023 through Friday, February 2nd. Residents can vote online or in-person. In-person voting options are available at our office and at Uptown Library!

In-Person Voting Options

46th Ward Office (4544 N. Broadway):

  • During office hours (9-5 M-Th, 9-3 on Fridays, closed 12-1pm everyday)

Uptown Library (929 W. Buena):

  • Tuesday, January 23rd 4-6:30pm

  • Thursday, January 25th 4-6:30pm

  • Thursday, February 1st 4-6:30pm

lderwoman Clay is seeking feedback from residents on what their priorities are for $1 million in infrastructure investments. Residents will be asked what types of investments are most important to them. Alderwoman Clay will authorize projects in line with 46th Ward priorities. Please note that projects have highly variable costs. For example,

  • Residential street resurfacing costs $54,450 per Block

  • Sidewalk repair costs $115,000 per Block

  • Alley reconstruction costs $300,000 per Block

  • A pedestrian refuge island costs $70,000 per location

Phases of Participatory Budgeting

  • Project Idea Submission Phase: November 22nd - December 8th 

  • Surveying & Evaluation: December 9th - January 31st

  • Voting: January 12th - February 2nd

Submissions are currently closed for 2023, but if you have a repair or new project request, please fill out this form for 2024.

Reasons why a project may not move forward to completion by CDOT or another relevant department:

  • Project does not meet legal restrictions or policy decisions as determined by Chicago Department of Transportation or other agency as applicable (e.g. Chicago Parks Dept, Chicago Public Schools) and would not be approved by those government entities for menu fund allocation.

  • Community submitted project interferes with a previously planned project (e.g. you propose a street for resurfacing that is set to have a water main replaced next year which would mean the newly paved street would get torn up next year, CDOT will not approve these kinds of projects).  

  • Project has a level of complexity such that we cannot get sufficient community input or accurate pricing within the allotted time for the 2024 Participatory Budgeting Cycle. These kinds of projects may enter the 2025 participatory budgeting cycle if time and capacity limitations keep a project from being able to move forward in the 2024 cycle.  

  • Project has barriers to implementation that means it is not feasible.  

A project being approved in 2024 doesn’t mean construction will happen in 2024.  Required project approval procedures, construction work by utilities and other agencies, and volume of projects requiring crews with specialized skills mean projects may take 1-2 construction seasons to be implemented.  Projects often are completed 1-3 years after approval.  When submitting projects and voting on projects it’s important to keep in mind that these are long term investments in our ward’s infrastructure.