April 4, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

In a densely populated and mixed-use community like the 43rd Ward, one of the most common concerns we hear from constituents relates to Chicago’s “war on rats.” We share this concern in our office, and it is my opinion that the City’s use of rodenticide (rat poison) is neither the most effective approach nor is it the safest for the other mammals and birds natural to our lakefront community. 

To explore an alternative, my office is partnering with the Chicago Bird Alliance, the Lincoln Park Zoo and other stakeholders on a pilot program to test the use of “rat birth control” as a more effective way to reduce our local rodent population. Beginning within the next year, the pilot program will place contraceptive pellets on a few blocks in the 43rd Ward that will be monitored by scientists. These pellets are safe to all living creatures other than rats, and have evolved after successful use in urban areas such as Boston. The pilot program location will be chosen in coordination with the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS). During the pilot, all other areas in the ward will have continued access to normal rodent bating (as a reminder, you can request rodent bating at any time through 311, or by contacting our office).

Should the data collected show a positive impact of rat birth control, my goal is to work with the City Council and the Department of Streets and Sanitation to scale the approach into an official city-wide program in the long-term. To substantiate this effort, I will be introducing an ordinance in hopes of receiving recommendation of the pilot program by all 50 alderpeople. When something is not working in our city, we cannot hesitate to innovate for better results. To me, that is a key ingredient of good government. To help us make this pilot program a reality, please consider donating to and joining the cause here (all donations go through the Chicago Bird Alliance, a 501c3). In the internationally-quoted words of New York City Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, “the rats are absolutely going to hate this announcement, but the rats don’t run this City, we do!”

Our office is proud to announce that this month we are launching regular office hours with District 4 School Board Representative Ellen Rosenfeld. This brand new initiative is aimed at further expanding accessibility for resident needs and concerns and connectivity to our elected officials. Accordingly, beginning on April 16th from 1-3pm in our office at 2523 N. Halsted, Representative Rosenfeld will take over our conference room on a bi-weekly basis. Residents can sign up for a 15 minute time slot here, and sign up for Ellen's Education Report here.

On Monday, we held our rescheduled “Community Meet and Greet” focusing on public safety in partnership with local 18th and 19th CAPS officers and Beverly Carrington from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC). As I highlighted in our “Year in Review”, in 2024 our community experienced a four-year low in robberies and vehicular hijackings but an increase in business burglaries. As public safety remains our office’s top priority, this meet and greet was a great opportunity for me to hear directly from residents about safety concerns they have while connecting them to the City officials that keep our community safe.

On Tuesday, I joined Sheffield Neighbors Association (SNA) for their April board meeting. At the meeting, I had the opportunity to hear from neighbors and provide updates related to important projects, including updates to DePaul’s Athletic Center, the new Beaumont’s, and the significant infrastructure projects happening across the Ward this year.

Lastly, this Saturday, April 5th, kicks off the return of the Green City Market. Green City brings Chicagoans and tourists alike to our community to support local farmers, enjoy the beauty of Lincoln Park and the Lakefront, and stock up on fresh produce and other yummy treats. Grab a rain jacket or umbrella and join me in supporting their kickoff tomorrow!

Sincerely, 

Alderperson Timmy Knudsen

P.S. One of my favorite independent restaurants, Soul Prime, was recently named one of the best soul food in Chicago by Eater! They wrote: “This sleek Lincoln Park restaurant near the corner of Halsted and Armitage provides the neighborhood with a much-needed dose of soul. The narrow space houses an incredible amount of flavor from dishes like bone-in short ribs with grits, fried catfish, and banana pudding are some of the main attractions.” Book a table and make sure to say hello to Chef Royce! 

P.P.S. To all my fellow readers, the 43rd Ward officially has an independent bookstore! Last week, Lilliput Books opened at 2150 N Halsted St. Swing by Lilliput Books tomorrow (Saturday, 4/5) at 10am for their opening party. Owner Yasmeen Schuller is a 43rd Ward resident, and we are grateful to her for joining the vibrant Halsted commercial corridor. 

To view the full April Street Sweeping schedule, click here. 

Avoid a ticket or tow order by signing up for email street sweeping alerts here. 

On weekdays, from 9am to 2pm, this Sweeper Tracker map will show real-time locations of city street sweepers.

Monday, March 31st marked the annual “Transgender Day of Visibility." As a gay man, the progress collectively made by LGBTQ+ people towards a more inclusive future is largely thanks to the Trans activists that came before me. As a City, we must not forget them in the ongoing fight for equality. I have been proud of the work we have been able to do since the start of my term, but am reminded of the work in City Council we still have ahead to secure the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ people of Chicagoland. 

Last month, I proudly supported the creation of a “Transfemicide Working Group” aimed at developing comprehensive strategies to address violence against transgender women in our city. In November, I joined colleagues in remembering and honoring the lives lost to violence against the Trans community for “Transgender Day of Remembrance." Last year, I quickly introduced, and got signed into law, landmark legislation that criminalizes the act of hateful flyering in our communities with my “Stop Hate Littering” Ordinance. Since its passage, I have begun discussing this law with other leaders across the U.S. on how they can pass similar measures. I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring Chicago is the welcoming city we can all be proud to call home. 

In 2023, the City moved to a grid style trimming schedule. This has led to crews being able to double the amount of trees they are able to trim in a year. Crews are typically in the 43rd Ward every Tuesday, and signs should be posted informing residents of the work up to 48 hours in advance. Weather and staff permitting, the below blocks are where trimming will occur during the week of March 31st, 2025. 

N16 W04 

1700 N Larrabee (5 left)

1700 N Hudson (7 left)

1900 N Sedgwick

1800 N Cleveland

The City Clerk’s Office is bringing back their popular "City Sticker Amnesty Month" during April! From April 1st–30th, late fees and back charges on City Stickers will be waived, giving residents a chance to get up to date without penalties. For more information such as a list of eligible locations, and to take advantage of the amnesty, see their website here, and review their frequently asked questions for more information.

ALSO: Individuals with eligible violations can have their penalties and fees temporarily waived for eligible parking, compliance, and automated speed and red light camera tickets. The debt relief period is April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Penalties and fees are temporarily waived for eligible parking, standing, compliance, and automated speed and red light camera violations that are paid in full by June 30, 2025. Penalties and fees eligible for waiver include but are not limited to late payment penalties; collection costs; and returned check, default, tow, storage, and boot fees with limited exceptions. With a few exclusions, eligible violations include tickets for which a Notice of Final Determination has been issued on or before December 31, 2023.

Crime, and safety remain top of mind for our community. Each week, the 18th and 19th District post Compstat numbers that reflect changes in indexes for key crimes. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th & 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.

For 18th District (south of Fullerton)  Week 13 Compstat. 

For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 13 Compstat.

We work closely with the 43rd Ward’s local CAPS districts, which include the 18th (Near North) and 19th (Town Hall) Police Districts. Our office is in frequent contact with officers from both of these districts and their local CAPS officers, who host a variety of community forums and events including beat meetings, informational settings, and expert panel discussions, as well as sending out community alerts when a pattern of crime is detected.

Beat Meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy and an excellent way to hear directly from CPD about your neighborhood. Meetings are held in the evenings every two months. Click here and find out your Police District and Beat number.

2025 43rd Ward CAPS Meetings

Beat 1811 (5 PM) & 1813 (6 PM): May 8th, July 8th, September 2nd, and November 4th. 

Beats 1811 and 1813 meet at St. James Lutheran Church located at 2050 N Fremont St. They are in the basement of the Church and you should enter through the northernmost door on Fremont St. There is residential parking on the street with applicable zone parking restrictions.

Beat 1812 (5 PM) & 1814 (6 PM): May 8th, July 10th, September 4th, and November 6th. 

Beat 1812 and 1814 are hosted at Wintrust Bank located at 100 W. North Ave. There is very little parking on site but it is near the North and Clybourn Red Line stop and the Sedgwick Brown Line. It is also en route to the Clark St Bus. The meetings are hosted on the 2nd Floor of the bank. Elevators are on site.

Beat 1824 (6 PM): May 15th, July 17th, September 11th, and November 13th. 

Beat 1824 meets at 1201 N Clark St in the Clark St Apartments. It is very close to the Clark and Division Red Line Stop.

Beat 1932 (6:30 PM): June 3rd, August 5th, October 7th, and December 2nd. 

Beat 1932 is hosted in the sanctuary at New Life Church located at 1110 W Lill Ave. There is street parking with applicable zone parking restrictions. New Life Church is within walking distance of the Fullerton Red and Brown Line and the Diversey Brown Line.

Beat 1935 (6:30 PM): April 16th, June 18th, August 20th, October 15th, and December 17th. 

Beat 1935 is hosted at Chabad East Lakeview located at 615 W Wellington Ave.

Our office is alerting residents of a rise in scam text messages falsely claiming unpaid tolls to the Illinois Tollway. These messages often attempt to trick recipients into clicking fraudulent links to pay a supposed balance. If you receive one, do not click any links. Instead, check your account balance directly here or contact the Illinois Tollway's customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS. You can also file a complaint regarding text scams and other online crime via the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), operated by the FBI here. The Illinois Tollway's official guidance on these scams is available here.

The 19th District Police Office is collecting used cell phones to donate to people in need of a way to call 911, including seniors and survivors of domestic violence. To donate, drop off your phone at the 19th District station at 850 W Addison or reach out to the CAPS office at (312) 744-0064 with questions.

They are also launching two brand new safety initiatives. First, they’re going door-to-door encouraging businesses and residents to register their security cameras with CPD. This does not give the police access to your footage, but it will help them quickly identify where cameras are located, the direction they face, and who to contact if an incident occurs. You can sign up here and see their flyer here.

• City of Chicago Mental Health Centers 
• NAMI Helpline
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988
• Mental Health America (MHA)

Property tax exemption applications for the 2024 tax year are now open, and we encourage all eligible homeowners to prepare and submit applications before the deadline on Monday, April 21st. The most common exemption, the Homeowner Exemption, saves residents an average of $950 per year and can now be applied for online here. First-time applicants, new homeowners, or those needing to reapply for Senior Freeze or Veterans with Disabilities exemptions should do so as soon as possible. You can also attend one of the Assessor’s upcoming virtual or in-person workshops to get help—see the full event list here.

On Saturday, May 10 from 9am-12pm, join our community-wide day of beautification in the parks. Meet at Ella Jenkins Park @ 333 West Wisconsin Avenue. Kids, families, dogs, & friends are welcome. Supplies & refreshments will be provided- projects include gardening, painting, planting, mulching, and more. No cost to participate- RSVPs requested

Chicago’s chocolate lovers are in for a treat as Hotel Chocolat, the renowned UK-based chocolatier, opens a new retail store in the city’s vibrant Lincoln Park neighborhood. Bringing together the world of chocolate luxury and sustainable cocoa farming, the stores will feature a groundbreaking range of Hotel Chocolat offerings as well as their industry leading hot chocolate machine - the Velvetiser®.  Chicagoans will be thrilled to learn that Hotel Chocolat will be collaborating with local partners on additional cafe and retail offerings. These include James Beard Award winning chef Greg Wade and his popular Publican Quality Bread who will be crafting an impressive pastry lineup including a custom must try banana bread and other signature baked goods. Metric Coffee and Spirit Tea will be responsible for the cafe’s lattes, cold brews, matcha and tea offerings, among others. Head over to us.hotelchocolat.com and follow them on @hotelchocolatUSA.

New to Commissioner Degnen's Earth Month festivities this year is a clothing swap! She is partnering with the DePaul Student Government Association to create a sustainable way to revitalize your spring wardrobe. Between April 1st-April 9th, drop off gently used clothing at her office or the various drop box locations around DePaul University and my district office at 4347 N Milwaukee Ave. Then, on April 12th from 11am-1:30pm, stop by the swap to take home new-to-you clothing for free. 

Please make sure that clothing donated to the swap is free from stains, holes, or additional damage. 

 Chicago's Annual Clean and Green Day of Service is coming up on April 20th. On this day, residents, school groups, and community organizations throughout the City team up to clean and beautify their neighborhoods. Simply call 311 or reach out to our office to register your group and the Department of Streets and Sanitation will lend the brooms, rakes, shovels, and bags for the clean-up projects. 

Cook County Health is proud to offer free prostate cancer and free breast cancer
screens to eligible Cook County residents during the month of their birthday. 

Residents are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment for the screening to ensure availability during their birthday month. Uninsured patients will receive the screening free of charge and insured residents will have their screenings billed to their insurance plan. 

Cancer screenings are important because they help find cancer early, before it causes serious problems. When cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and the chances of getting better are higher. Screenings can find cancer even if a person doesn’t feel sick. 

People can sign up by visiting the Cook County Health website and find a primary care doctor.

With great pleasure, Commissioner Hedspeth and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announce that the Jumping Jack Portal will open on Tuesday, April 15th at 8:00 a.m. The Jumping Jack (inflatable bounce house) is available, free of charge, to Residential Block Parties within the city limits from Saturday, May 24th through Sunday, August 31st.

The online application can be found here or by logging onto ChicagoNeighborhoodFestivals.us.

the 4th Annual Airport Expo and Job Fair, hosted by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), will take place Thursday, May 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road.

Join the Chicago Department of Aviation for an exciting opportunity to explore career paths at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Whether you’re looking for a job in cargo, concessions, construction, security, or other airport roles, there are opportunities for all experience levels. Don’t miss your chance to connect with employers and take your career to new heights! Register here. 

Lunch Heroes’ mission is to ensure no child sits at school on an empty stomach. Every purchase helps them donate lunches to kids in need! To date, they have donated over 3 THOUSAND lunches to kids in need. Supporting local businesses and helping make a difference has never tasted better. Grab a yummy sandwich at 2273 N. Lincoln, or place an order here.

Happy Hour on Clark Street 🥂 Whether you’re looking for sweet, savory or smokey cocktails for a deal, Clark Street has you covered. Check out these stops for your next Happy Hour ->
⭐ @brinyswinechicago
⭐ @sushihallchicago
⭐ @ceiba_restaurant

For Illinois residents who fly domestically, the federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 that will require you to use a valid U.S. Passport or obtain a REAL ID from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. Take time to know your options. For information on other types of identification accepted by TSA, please visit the TSA website. To see what documents you need to apply for a REAL ID, visit the REAL ID Interactive Checklist. REAL ID applicants have the option to make an appointment at one of the 30 appointment facilities, or they can visit a walk-in facility. To determine what facilities require an appointment or to make an appointment, please visit Secretary of State Facility Appointments. All Driver Services facilities are issuing REAL IDs, with the exception of mobile units and express facilities (Diversey, Lockport, Orland Township, Rockford Auburn St. and Roscoe). To find the nearest facility, visit Facility Finder.

Join Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for a Queer Sacred Space event! 

They are currently conducting a survey to better understand where we can increase our outreach and tailor programs to the needs of Cook County communities. Though their survey will gather insights from the entirety of Cook County, they are happy to share the results garnered from the communities in the 43rd Ward and work to develop programs, provide technical assistance, and support the 43rd Ward communities in building impactful initiatives for all. The survey is available at: go.illinois.edu/cookcounty. Eligible participants can enter a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes. Learn more about the survey here.

In preparation for the newly renovated park, The Trebes Park Advisory Council is kicking off a campaign to raise funds to support various initiatives, including more programming and supplemental maintenance not covered by the Park District. Learn more about the campaign here.  If you have any questions, please reach out to TPAC at trebespark@gmail.com.

Discover the best of the Midwest at GCM Lincoln Park (1817 N Clark St), with dozens of local, sustainable farmers and food producers, community programs for all ages, and more. Plan your visit, and browse participating vendors and products in season below (subject to change). GCM Lincoln Park operates rain or shine; subscribe to our newsletter(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) to receive email updates regarding schedule changes, inclement weather, emergency closures, and more. Note: During pre-season (April), markets will open at 8am. 

Two upcoming state-run events may be helpful to residents and professionals in our community. On Wednesday, April 16th at 6:00pm, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) is hosting a virtual seminar on Weather and Climate-related Property and Casualty Insurance, covering topics like flood, sewage backup, and earthquake protection. You can RSVP here.

The Chicago Police Department is hosting car seat safety events through September at the 19th District station at 850 W Addison, with certified technicians available to ensure proper installation. You can reserve a time slot here.

The Chicago Police Department is excited to offer a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to gain a first-hand understanding of our in-service training through an innovative new program. By participating, residents will observe the instruction officers receive on critical topics including de-escalation tactics and mental health crisis intervention. Each of these topics are apart of the 2025 In-Service training program for sworn officers. This initiative is designed to foster transparency, strengthen police-community relationships, and provide valuable insights into the training standards that drive professional and accountable policing in our city.

Sunday, June 08, 2025 from 07:30 am - 01:30 pm CDT

ST. TERESA OF AVILA CHURCH PARISH CENTER

1950 N. KENMORE AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60614

Register here. 

Indulge in the season’s best wines paired with delectable bites from Lincoln Park’s neighborhood restaurants. Gather your friends and hop in a pedicab to explore businesses along Armitage & Halsted as they transform into pop-up tasting rooms featuring wine selections from Vin Chicago! Get your tickets early, as they are expected to sell out. Tickets include wine samples and light fare from local businesses.

Being a lifeguard along Chicago’s gorgeous lakefront or a neighborhood pool is a job unlike any other. You'll be part of one of the country's largest and best-trained lifeguard corps, gaining life-saving skills while making a difference in people's lives. You can learn more and apply here!

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, thousands of people around the globe will participate in the
seventeenth annual World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation for peace and celebration of
the labyrinth experience. Join a labyrinth at 1:00 p.m. local time to create a rolling wave of
peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next around the world. Labyrinth Day is an
international event held on the first Saturday of each May, sponsored by The Labyrinth Society
in collaboration with partner organizations.
Saint Pauls United Church of Christ will sponsor a walk on Saturday, May 3 in their Gymnasium
from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

More students than ever across the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) District now have access to designated spaces where they can touch and explore the physical world around them. In partnership with the Chicago Children’s Museum, the District has been working to add Curiosity Classrooms to schools as part of efforts to bring sensory-rich, museum-quality experiences straight to children in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Let’s keep our neighborhood safe this winter by clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of our properties. Clear paths help everyone—especially seniors, children, and people with disabilities—move safely. If you can, lend a hand to neighbors who may need help. It’s not just kind; it’s also required by Chicago Municipal Code (Sections 4-7-310 and 10-8-180) for both homes and businesses.

Report locations that DO NOT clear their sidewalks by making a "Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane" request with the City of Chicago 311 Service Request line. When you make a "Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane" request, please note the following:

• Make sure the problem occurs on the sidewalk.
• DO NOT use this category to report snow on streets, parking lots, or alleys.
• Provide a specific address where the problem occurs.
• Request a reference number from the operator, this will help you track the status and resolution of your request.

The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that City residents now have the option of reporting the following parking enforcement violations:

• Bus Lane Parking
• Commercial Loading Zone 
• Commercial Vehicle Parked on a Residential Street
• Disabled Parking
• Fire Hydrant Parking
• Residential Parking
• Rush Hour Zones
• School Safety Zones
• Vehicle Parked in Bike Lane
• Other (Semi-trucks parked on streets, etc.)

Neighbors can report parking violations by calling 311, using the CHI311 app, or through the 311 website. The request type is “Finance Parking Code Enforcement Review.”

I want to keep spreading the good word of how powerful a tool CHI 311 is to address non-emergency services in our Ward. Via the CHI 311 website and mobile app, you can:

• Create new service requests and check the status of existing requests (such as on timing and completion).
• Snap a photo of an issue to submit it with a request to improve location accuracy.
• Get local and relevant information/tips regarding the 43rd Ward including visibility into what other requests are being made in your neighborhood. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

43rd Ward Office Hours: M-F 9am-5pm & Sat 10am-12pm

 773-348-9500 | yourvoice@ward43.org | 2523 N. Halsted

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