Chicago City Wire

In a July 4 email to community members, the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce announced a press conference to demand transparency about a recent West Nile virus detection—citing 49th Ward Ald. Maria Hadden’s failure to alert the public after being notified by the city’s health department on June 30.

The press release, penned by Chamber president Bill Morton and administrator Trudy Leong, came down on Hadden's office for not addressing her constituents about a public health matter in a "timely manner."  

According to the email, the day the virus was detected City of Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Simbo Ige and Leong attended the City of Chicago 2026 Budget Engagement Roundtable II at Malcolm X College where "Commissioner Ige told Trudy that she had contacted Ald. Maria Hadden's office to inform the office about finding West Nile in Rogers Park.” 

“That was June 30. It is now 4th of July and there is still no public alert by Hadden's office about West Nile being found in Rogers Park. Four days and no alert," Morton and Leong wrote.

The Chamber's press conference is the latest oppositional stance against Hadden’s style of governance, which has included last-minute cancellations of major local events, accusations of retaliation against opponents, political favoritism and growing fears among business owners and residents about safety in the ward. 

“Today is the 4th of July and family members young and old will be enjoying barbecue and gathering outdoors,” the email reads. “Our residents of Rogers Park, especially our large senior population and our many residents with serious medical conditions need to become aware of the presence of West Nile and take necessary precautions to avoid contracting West Nile virus.” 

The Chamber called on officials to immediately share public health alerts regarding mosquito-borne illnesses.  

“There are no vaccines nor medicines for West Nile virus disease,” the email said. “Protect yourself from mosquitoes. Please keep safe.”

West Nile virus is a serious health threat that can cause severe neurological conditions. 

In some cases, the virus leads to inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis, and meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

A small percentage of those infected may develop a life-threatening form of the disease that affects the nervous system, potentially resulting in paralysis, coma or death.

The rebuke of Hadden by the Rogers Park Chamber is reflective of Hadden's ongoing clashes with local business owners.

In late June, she was accused of carrying out personal retribution by canceling Pride North just one day before it was set to begin. The annual event is a significant revenue driver for local establishments.

Hadden was allegedly fired from a job as a server by the organizer of Pride North before being elected alderman of the 49th Ward.

The cancellation came amid mounting discontent from residents who have accused Hadden of favoritism and enabling the bullying of her opponents within the ward.

One longtime Rogers Park business owner alleges that Hadden fosters a climate of fear and political favoritism in which local entrepreneurs are afraid to speak out due to threats of retaliation. 

“I talk to a lot of business owners. I’ve been around a long time, and I will tell you, the majority of business owners that I talk to want to keep their mouths shut because they’re afraid of her,” the business owner told Chicago City Wire.

The business owner alleges that Hadden selectively promotes businesses that offer her personal perks, enforces rules unevenly and ignores escalating crime and safety concerns in the 49th Ward. 

Another local business owner, Chad Willetts, was recently fined $5,000 and ordered to remove a grand piano from in front of his establishment, Le Piano, a well-known jazz venue.

“I'm terribly disappointed and saddened by the non-leadership,” Willetts told Chicago City Wire at the time.

Other critics who have spoken out against Hadden’s tenure have pointed to online harassment by her supporters, strained relations due to Hadden’s “defund the police” stance, and unethical conduct allegations. 

One instance involves a liquor license dispute in which Hadden received a campaign contribution from a business owner after lifting a moratorium on new liquor stores, only to reinstate the restriction after the donor opened two such stores in the neighborhood.

Growing frustration has prompted residents and business owners to call for new leadership ahead of the next aldermanic election in 2027.