Dear Neighbors,
It has been quite the week in Chicago! As the 43rd Ward was filled with great Halloween costumes, issues with the City’s school board continued and the 2025 budget season began.
On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson introduced the proposed 2025 City of Chicago Budget (click here for a full overview). As a brief summary of the initial draft (to begin hearings and negotiation), this $17.3 billion budget includes a $982 million shortfall. The Mayor is proposing to fill this shortfall through a $300 million property tax increase, a $570 million sweep of the TIF surplus ($132 million which would go to the city and $311 million to CPS), and the elimination of 743 vacant positions.
Currently, we are reviewing the proposed budget for each city department and exploring additional revenue sources. As we progress and begin departmental budget hearings and negotiations next week, our office will send a more in-depth summary of the proposal. However, as an initial response that I made to several media outlets, a property tax increase of $300 million is a ‘hard no’ for me. This level of increase would put too heavy a strain on Chicagoans, especially considering the County’s recent reassessment, which increased tax bills for many. In addition, such an increase would damage Chicago’s recent progress in attracting more business/industry, jobs, and future residents - a piece of such attraction being Chicago’s relatively moderate cost of living compared to the coasts.
Chicago’s budget is a statement of our city’s priorities; however, one that must be based in reality. Speaking with colleagues, it is clear that a majority share my view that this proposal is far from one we are able to support. We need to pass a balanced budget in order to keep our city working, build upon recent credit rating increases, and continue vital city services. In order to achieve that, I will negotiate aggressively on behalf of our residents.
Earlier this week I called for the immediate removal of the CPS Board of Education President Johnson (“CPS board president”) due to a variety of reasons making him unfit for leadership. This includes his making of misogynistic, antisemitic, and conspiratorial statements. After the previous school board resigned overnight, I wrote in this newsletter “It is my opinion that the Mayor’s decision to replace the BOE in a matter of days is inappropriate, unethical, and the opposite of ‘progressive’.” To add to that; rushing to appoint a new CPS board without meaningful vetting shows negligence. In fact, based on the public nature of the statements made by the CPS board president, I would say with confidence that my team vets my typos in this weekly newsletter more extensively than the recent CPS board appointees were vetted to serve. This is especially damning considering the CPS board is arguably the most important board in the city, as it impacts our children and their futures. As a result of this negligence, the CPS board president resigned yesterday after just days of service.
Our 43rd Ward invested significant energy this year into passing the “Stop Hate Littering” ordinance. We are proud of meaningful legislation, in which our goal is to increase Chicagoans’ trust that their local government is committed to the fight against hate speech of all kinds. The appointment of the CPS board president shows how a lack of care and negligence can elevate hateful rhetoric, too. We will continue our legislative work with an added focus on setting barriers to ensure this does not happen again - including a review of executive appointment powers, as well as board service and vetting requirements (many of which are governed by state law).
In exciting news, this week, the Fresh Market grocery store opened at 2730 N. Halsted, in the old 'Dom's Market' location. The early morning 'bread cutting' was attended by more than 100 neighbors who were excited to see this portion of Halsted revitalized with increased foot traffic and charm. My remarks focused on the recent successes of our ward’s business corridors on Clark, Lincoln, and Halsted. With these new businesses, we are making active strides toward filling our Ward's current vacancies and making the 43rd Ward home to some of the best commercial corridors in the City.
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Even if briefly, I hope you each are able to take time this weekend for relaxation in some form. For me, that will come today from surprising my 7-year-old niece, Julia, by picking her up from school and taking her shopping (a key ingredient of ‘uncle pick-up’ is the toy store). There are a variety of reasons many of us are feeling stressed right now, but getting outside can remind us of all the reasons to feel gratitude.
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P.S. While not in the 43rd Ward, the City of Chicago honored longtime Chicago Pride Parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer with an honorary street sign—“Rich Pfeiffer Parade Way”—at the northwest corner of Belmont Avenue and North Halsted Street in the landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted neighborhood. Pfeiffer, led the Chicago Pride Parade from 1974 until his passing in 2019, and was instrumental in transforming the parade into one of the oldest, largest, and most celebrated Pride events in the country. Pfeiffer passed away just months after successfully leading the Chicago Pride Parade in 2019, on the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. His dedication to the community helped shape the parade into a landmark event. October was LGBTQ+ History Month, and I encourage you to honor his legacy, and keep his vision alive all year round.
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P.P.S. Considering care options for your pre-kindergarten-aged kids? Join me for an open house of the newly built Kensington School of Lincoln Park on November 7th from 6 pm - 8 pm at 2745 N. Lincoln Avenue. See below for the invitation:
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Election Day is just 4 days away! Still need to vote? Our special newsletter has everything you need to know about early voting, election day voting locations, and much more.
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Veteran's Day Office Closure
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The 43rd Ward Office will be closed Monday, November 11th in observance of Veteran's Day. Our Saturday Office Hours will also be closed on November 9th. The office will reopen on Tuesday, November 12th at 9am.
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Election Day Office Hours Change
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On Tuesday, November 5th our office will open early at 8am to help any residents who may need help voting. The following day on Wednesday, November 6th our office will open late at 10am.
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As our city government and safety leadership transition into the next Administration, 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. In an effort to keep residents informed on these trends, we will publish those weekly updates in the newsletter’s public safety section. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th and 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.
For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Compstat,
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Compstat,
We encourage residents to check out the Chicago Police Department's citywide September year-to-date recap, which outlines their key initiatives and statistical trends on high-priority violent crimes. You can view the full report here.
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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.
2024 43rd Ward CAPS Meetings
Beat 1811 (5 PM) & 1813 (6 PM): November 6. (DATE CHANGE)
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): November 7.
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): November 14.
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): December 3.
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): December 18.
Beat 1935 is hosted at Chabad East Lakeview located at 615 W Wellington Ave.
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19th Police District Council Meetings
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19th District Community Conversation
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City Clerk Senior Hours Update
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According to the September 9th memo from the Mayor's Office, all overtime for City Departments was cancelled. This included Senior Hours at the City Clerk's main office located in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, and our two satellite locations located at 5672 S. Archer Ave and 5430 W. Gale St.
Renewal notices for City Stickers were sent to residents prior to the September 9th memo. Those notices did include senior hour options for eligible residents, but unfortunately, we will not be able to honor the senior hour option as long as overtime for departments is unavailable.
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Early voting in all 50 Wards started on Monday, October 21 and will be open through Monday, November 4. These sites are open Weekdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. All Ward Early Voting locations and the Supersite will also be open as Vote Centers on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
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43rd Ward Early Voting Site
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Any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site, no matter where they live in the city, and voters can choose whatever voting site is most convenient for them, including on Election Day.
Please note that Vote by Mail applications have CLOSED. Make sure your ballot is either postmarked by 7pm on November 5th, or drop it off in a secure ballot drop box by then.
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The Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) announces the launch of its newest data dashboard, City Services by Address. This dashboard is a one-stop shop to see City services and service area designations as they apply to any Chicago address. Users can input an address, and the dashboard retrieves valuable information related to that location, including ward, community area, zoning information, schedules for City services, and more.
The City Services by Address dashboard will, for example, allow users to find the police district and beat in which a specified address falls, trash and recycling pick-up days for that address, voting precinct, and whether a specified address is part of an Industrial Corridor or historic district, among other data points. Updated 2023 ward designation and community and neighborhood areas are reflected in the dashboard, and a terminology glossary and a user guide overlay are included for ease of use.
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Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago.
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South Lincoln Park Improvements Feedback
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In the next week, Gold Coast Neighbors Association, along with the Lincoln Park Conservancy and the Chicago Park District, will be requesting public input to the project. The attached slide will be converted to signs to be posted around the park. This link connects to a questionnaire for participants who wish to offer their ideas and provides a description of the project. There is also going to be a public online meeting, tentatively set for Wednesday, November 13, at 6:30 pm, to gather comments in a community setting.
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Leslie Wolfe Gallery, DePaul Art Museum, gallery 1871, Madron Gallery, and Art on Sedgwick,are participating in the third annual Lincoln Park Art Night. Five unique art locations have banded together to celebrate their Lincoln Park neighborhood and promote a destination for art lovers that is too-frequently overlooked. The event is FREE and open to all. Luxury sprinter vans will circulate the neighborhood offering hop-on/hop-off service for three hours on Thursday, November 14th from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Riders may start and stop at any of the five participating locations. Register today here. (registration is not required but appreciated).
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Lyft's 2024 Voting Access Program
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This election season, Lyft is providing the means and motivation for riders and drivers to make a difference in their communities. As we gear up for November 5, we're offering a 50% discount (up to $10) on Election Day rides to the polls. Just preload the code, VOTE24. The code is valid from 5 AM to 10 PM in every time zone, and can be used on a rideshare, bikeshare, or scooter ride.
We’ve partnered with nonprofits such as the NAACP, APIAVote, Hispanic Federation, National Council of Negro Women, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and National Urban League. to provide access to free rides for early voting and Election Day. To learn more information about our Voting Access program visit lyft.com/vote and check out our latest blog post.
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November 2nd, 2024 at 10am in Federal Plaza. More information can be found here.
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St. James Lutheran School Virtual Admissions
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Considering starting your child in school or looking for a new option? Enrollment for the 2025/26 school year is open!
Learn more about what St. James has to offer at an in-person experience. Visit us at our Open House on November 16th from 10 AM to 12 PM.
To reserve your spot for the Virtual Admissions Coffee, please contact ccook@stjames-lutheran.org.
For more details, visit their website here.
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On October 31st, join Belmont Village in a blood drive at 700 W Fullerton Ave from 9am-3pm. Click here for more information.
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City Key Event at Lincoln Park Library
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The Lincoln Park Library will be hosting the City Clerk's office for a City Key Event on November 12th. This is a government issued ID that can also be used as a library card and transit card. Perfect for the senior or migrant community.
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Shopping Night Out on Armitage
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On November 14th, the merchants west of Sheffield are partnering to provide the community a night of shopping with stores staying open until 9pm!
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Fall Programs at Park West Co-op
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Check out the great activities for your toddler / preschooler at Park West Co-op this fall. Classes include a Saturday Tots class, kids fitness classes, music and drama classes and a new Little Book Club offering, all in the Lincoln Park neighborhood!
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On Thursday, November 28th - join neighbors for a turkey trot! Check-in is at 1950 N Kenmore Ave.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Scooter and E-Bike 311 Removal
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Our office has noticed many scooters and bikes scattered throughout the neighborhood. By contract, these shared bike and scooter companies must remove their property within two hours of a 311 removal request. Please click here to submit a scooter removal request and here for Divvy bike removal. We appreciate your assistance in helping keep our neighborhood clean.
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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 on the 311 app or online:
- 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.)
Where previously only bike lane violations could be reported on 311, the DOF has now expanded the ability to report parking violations, to drive more community-based enforcement.
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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