Dear Neighbors,
Last Friday, I joined the Lincoln Park community for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Lincoln Park Community Services. At the event, we honored four local churches who founded LPCS to serve the homeless in our communities- Church of our Saviour, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, St. Clement Parish, and St. Pauls UCC - with the Cornerstone Legacy Award. This award honors the legacy of these institutions for which we are extremely grateful. As stated during the program, “Rather than pushing the homeless away, they embraced these strangers in need. They opened their doors and their hearts to create a solution to help these new guests thrive.”
Also during the gala, I had the pleasure of presenting an honorary resolution to LPCS. For the past 40 years they have worked tirelessly to support thousands of our neighbors experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and poverty. Founded in Lincoln Park, their work touches not just our ward, but every corner of the city. I am proud to have presented this resolution to CEO Cheryl Hamilton-Hill, and the entire Lincoln Park Community Services team. Soon, it will be introduced in City Council, officially recognizing their work and cementing their legacy in Chicago history.
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Alderperson Knudsen with LPCS CEO Cheryl Hamilton-Hill
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Next month, our office is hosting a “Ward Walk” with the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Association. Ward Walks are a helpful way for us to talk directly with neighbors about constituent service requests and identify potential projects we can use our infrastructure menu dollars to fund. These Ward Walks will also feature an “educational” moment on how to use the CHI311 app. The CHI311 app is an easy and effective tool for residents to submit a service request from any city department at any time. Our walk will take place on Tuesday, June 9th at 5:30 PM starting at the southwest corner of Fire Station Park.
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This week, two new stores join our booming commercial corridors, Foxtrot at 935 W Webster and Abrah Bakery at 2269 N Lincoln Ave. While I am excited for neighbors to stop in and experience both, I am particularly excited about Abrah. This new bakery is a product of the masterminds behind Soloway Coffee, and its name (short for Abraham) is a gesture of gratitude and dedication to the place, city, and country that welcomed them. Abrah is a unique blend of two different cultures – American and Ukrainian, and we are proud that they call the 43rd Ward home.
Finally, this weekend is the start of the 4th annual RANCH Triangle’s Mayfest on Armitage. Join neighbors this evening in kicking off this beloved family fun event and experience a wide range of entertainment, food, boutiques, and more. I hope to see you all there for a great time in support of our neighborhood!
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. In celebration of Earth Day, last weekend over 150 neighbors, non-profits, and local businesses rallied to enhance our shared neighborhood spaces. Volunteers branched out for beautification projects and park enhancements and hit many areas around the 43rd Ward, including at Ella Jenkins Park, Ogden Mall North, Chess Park, several pocket parks like Willow Park, Menomonee Park, Eugenie Triangle Park, and the Fern Court walkway. We are so grateful to our engaged community for giving back!
P.P.S. On Friday, May 23th at 2pm, The 43rd Ward office will close for Memorial Day Weekend, and will reopen on Tuesday, May 29th at 9am. Saturday Office hours on May 24th will not be available over the holiday weekend.
May 23rd is also the start of "Team Fridays" which will alter office hours to 9am-2pm every Friday through Labor Day in order to commit time to weekly staff development and goal setting from outside of the office. As we continue to implement changes to the office, we will continue to update the community from this newsletter. We will still be reachable via email during the 2pm-5pm hours on Fridays.
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It has been almost one month since the shooting on Lill that tragically took the life of 43rd Ward resident, Kevin Patel. I have, and will continue to, advocate directly to the office of Cook County State's Attorney, Eileen O’Neil Burke, in hopes that full prosecution is accomplished to the maximum extent. To support this effort, our office is partnering with CPD and the Community Justice Center North (Cook County State's Attorney's Office) to facilitate a court advocate program made up of 43rd Ward community members who will follow Kevin’s case through the judicial process, both monitoring and providing support. As explained by CPD, “court advocacy volunteers send a strong message to the defendant, the judge and all other interested parties in the criminal justice system: the community cares about the outcome of these cases.” If you have interest in becoming a court advocate for this case, please email us at yourvoice@ward43.org and we will send information on an introductory meeting with our partners.
In addition, if you would like to honor Kevin, please consider a donation to the GoFundMe linked here. While specific charities have not yet been determined, 100% of the proceeds will go to fighting for justice for Kevin and protecting communities against violence. Our mission is to do our part to help avoid other families experiencing the same pain and grief we have felt from this horrific act.
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May 1st marked the start of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and contributions of AAPI Chicagoans. From museum exhibitions to culinary festivals, and everything in between, there are events taking place across Chicago this month - see a detailed list here.
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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 May 19th, 2025.
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N16 W04
1600 N Vine (6 left)
1800 N Hudson
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43rd Ward Volunteer Corps
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The new 43rd Ward-wide volunteer program through the VCDP is always looking for new members. If you know someone who may be interested in learning about volunteer experiences in our community, please send them this email and have them fill out a simple form here.
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School Board Office Hours
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Our office is proud to announce that this month we are continuing our popular office hours with District 4 School Board Representative Ellen Rosenfeld. Residents can sign up for a 15 minute time slot here, and sign up for Ellen's Education Report here.
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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 19 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 19 Compstat.
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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): July 8th, September 2nd, & 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.
Beat 1812 (5 PM) & 1814 (6 PM): July 10th, September 4th & November 6th.
Beat 1812 and 1814 are hosted at Wintrust Bank located at 100 W. North Ave. The meetings are hosted on the 2nd Floor of the bank. Elevators are on site.
Beat 1824 (6 PM): July 17th, September 11th, and November 13th.
Beat 1824 meets at 1201 N Clark St in the Clark St Apartments.
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.
Beat 1935 (6:30 PM): June 18th, August 20th, October 15th, and December 17th.
Beat 1935 is hosted at Chabad East Lakeview located at 615 W Wellington Ave.
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19th Police District Council Monthly Meeting
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18th Police District Council Monthly Meeting
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Commercial Business Safety Tips & Robbery Safety Tips
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19th District Camera Link Initiative
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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.
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If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
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The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free, 24/7, confidential service that provides support and connections to resources for those in distress. Call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org/chat to start a chat with a trained listener.
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Some areas of Chicago are covered under the CARE program, which connects trained mental health professionals to 911 callers experiencing a mental health crises. Mental health professionals can respond to calls with on-site support, help directing the caller to mental health care and follow-up calls. See those areas here.
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Chicago area support resources for mental health crises can be found here.
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The Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers offer care that provides support for emotional, traumatic, or behavioral difficulties. All Mental Health Centers provide outpatient mental health services for adults, children and adolescents including intake/screening, individual therapy, group therapy, case management, and medication management (same-day medication appointments). Support is based on needs identified by the consumer, including goals, objectives, and specific mental health services. These services are provided free of charge to all Chicagoans.
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Chicago and suburban Cook County residents can access 2-1-1 and get connected to critical health and social services. 2-1-1 is a free, local, 24/7/365 service that connects all Cook County residents to essential health and social service support and information during times of non-emergency crisis and for everyday needs.
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Lincoln Park Farmers Market
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The Lincoln Park Farmers Market’s 44th annual season is up and running! The Lincoln Park Farmers Market’s 44th annual season is up and running! In 2025, the market will run on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for a total of 31 consecutive weeks, through to Saturday, November 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, rain or shine. The much-loved neighborhood market is located in the parking lot of the Lincoln Park High School, 724 W Armitage Ave, just east of the intersection of Armitage Ave and Halsted St.
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Care for Friends Open House
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Care for Friends, a nonprofit that’s been serving Chicago’s unhoused community for over 50 years, is hosting an open house for their brand-new Community Center at 530 W. Fullerton. Each year, Care for Friends connects with more than 12,500 individuals across 25+ wards, providing meals, healthcare, clothing, job support and most importantly, a sense of belonging. Join neighbors on Saturday, May 17 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Walk through the space, hear from the people behind the mission, and see how this new “homebase” will help meet a growing need in our city.
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North Ave Underpass Mural
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The world could use more joy and beauty right now! You can donate HERE.
We have a fundraising goal of $50,000. Any funds we raise in excess will be donated directly to the Lincoln Park Conservancy, an organization that is dear to my heart and that will be collecting and managing the funds and maintenance of the project. Chicago Public Arts Group has helped us navigate the process, coordinate the budget and is overseeing the permitting process and other tasks as needed.
During the design process we decided one side should represent the city during the day and the other in the evening. Help us showcase wildlife in the city as well as the urban and natural landmarks we know and love in Lincoln Park!
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Lincoln Park Health & Wellness Weekend!
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Kick off the summer at Lincoln Park Health & Wellness Weekend! This free, energizing event on Saturday, June 7 - Sunday, June 8, features free outdoor workout classes, interactive experiences and a showcase of local health and wellness businesses.
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It's YOUR Park Day on May 31st!
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Join the Chicago Parks Foundation for our 10th Annual It's Your Park Day on Saturday, May 31st! It's YOUR Park Day is a big community cleanup event that kicks off our volunteer season every year. Dozens of parks will pitch in across the city with park improvement activities. This is a free, fun, family-friendly event. Host or Volunteer: Sign up now to host an IYPD event, or register to volunteer at our growing list of participating parks. Learn more about both options below and help us make IYPD 2025 our biggest volunteer day yet!
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This year's Sheffield Garden Walk is July 19-20th, but it's never too early to round up volunteers! Sheffield Neighborhood Association is looking for volunteers and sponsors for this years events.
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Youth Communication Mural Dedication
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Join Old Town Neighbors, and 43rd Ward Residents, for a Youth Communication Mural Dedication on Saturday, June 7th at 11:30AM.
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If you are interested in having a furry friend join your family, look no further than Ella Jenkins Park! OTTA hosts this event with One Tail at a Time to meet adoptable dogs ready to be adopted
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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.
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Filming Notices for the 43rd Ward
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Filming for a commercial for Depaul Univ. will be in your ward next week at various campus locations. Attached for your reference, please find the notification leaflet that the production will distribute to residents and businesses in the affected area. The Film Office will always work with all your community feedback, questions, and concerns, so please direct any responses from your office or constituents to our office for quick resolutions. If you have additional questions regarding this or other filming in Chicago, they may contact the City of Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415.
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Park District's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy
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The Chicago Park District Teen Programs Memo, which outlines the Park District's summer youth engagement strategy, including teen-focused programs, events, and employment opportunities across the city.
The Mayor's Office and Chicago Park District remain deeply committed to supporting and engaging Chicago’s teens. To read the full strategy memo, please click HERE!
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Lend your voice to Chicago’s first Urban Agriculture Plan. Over the next few years, Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) and Chicago Community Gardeners Association (CCGA), will be focusing their efforts on co-creating an urban agriculture plan. The purpose of this survey is to receive community feedback on what focus areas should be included in the urban agriculture plan. We endeavor to shift policy to reduce red tape in the City to be more supportive of individuals, organizations and businesses growing food, medicine, flowers, and other pollinator habitats within the city; identify challenges within departments of the City of Chicago and sister agencies to better serve growers; and encourage improved resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Parking Enforcement via 311
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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.”
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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.
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