September 27, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

For the past 2 years, the 43rd Ward Office has led an extensive community-driven process on DePaul University’s proposed athletic practice facility at Belden Ave and Sheffield Ave (the “Proposed DePaul Facility”). As written about in our newsletter and the local media, DePaul made the pitch that the Proposed DePaul Facility will benefit future generations of students while aiding in their strategy for university growth (click here to review DePaul’s strategy from their perspective, and view more photos).

DePaul is the largest private employer and landowner in the 43rd Ward. Between the beautiful Lincoln Park campus which is home to thousands of students, DePaul adds great vibrancy to our community. A change such as the Proposed DePaul Facility is not to be taken lightly; accordingly, for the past 2 years, we have required DePaul to enter into a stringent community process. To aid this process, we gathered information and feedback by hosting two widely attended community meetings, engaged and received feedback from hundreds of neighbors, and entered into a negotiation that changed the project significantly. Due to these negotiations with our office and engagement with community leaders throughout the area, DePaul has revised the Proposed DePaul Facility and increased its commitment to enriching our local community. 

First, thank you to all of the hundreds of neighbors who took the time to join a community meeting or contact us with their thoughts. In addition, thank you to the Sheffield Neighbors Association and Wrightwood Neighbors Association for their partnership in collecting community feedback as well as time spent in conversations that helped us craft a comprehensive “Plan of Operation” which DePaul will be bound to. This email outlines just a few of the commitments made by DePaul, as drafted into the final Plan of Operation (click here to review the whole plan) that their zoning will be contingent on when it is voted on by the City Council Committee on Zoning in. 

Design

Our office negotiated aggressively related to the design, in order to match the standards we expect in one of the Midwest’s most beautiful neighborhoods. The two images below show the original design versus the final design. The final design includes a smaller building allowing for wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, public seating, and landscaping. In addition, the final design utilizes a more historic brick to integrate with the surrounding neighborhood. Lastly, the final design includes higher environmental standards and innovative green amenities such as bird-friendly glass and rooftop solar panels which will decrease energy use by more than 10%.

Preservation

One of the key issues during this process has been the proposed demolition of two orange-rated historic buildings. After careful negotiation, we’ve secured a groundbreaking commitment from DePaul to invest in the formal landmarking of the exteriors of Byrne Hall and Cortelyou Commons. Byrne Hall and Cortelyou Commons are each neighborhood assets with historical significance. They are well-known to neighbors and preservationists city-wide, and by appearance alone, it is easy to understand why.

Byrne Hall, to be landmarked

Cortelyou Commons, to be landmarked.

Due to our negotiations to increase preservation within DePaul’s Planned Development, Byrne Hall and Cortelyou Commons will remain a permanent part of the Sheffield Historic District. Additionally, DePaul has also committed to preserving O’Connell Hall for future generations with an investment of several million dollars in maintaining its historic facade and other necessary upgrades. These negotiation points represent a substantial victory in preservation for the community, as DePaul has never previously considered landmarking any of its buildings. When we began this process, there was no commitment to preservation or long-term investments on campus and these additional commitments were integral to the success of this development.

Community

Through this process, DePaul has reignited its ongoing commitment to engage with its neighbors. The Plan of Operation for the Proposed DePaul Facility includes a re-commitment by DePaul to community benefits they have provided for years, such as hosting public services like the post office and library, free neighborhood parking, discounted memberships to the Ray Meyer fitness center, and direct financial support to local nonprofits. In addition, this proposal outlines new community benefits such as expanded use of DePaul-owned facilities for youth sports leagues and community stakeholders and additional direct financial support to local nonprofits. Expanding their commitment to community organizations, DePaul has agreed to provide use of McGrath-Phillips Arena or Wish Field for an annual event to each of seven Community Stakeholders (as defined in the agreement, including Sheffield Neighbors Association, Wrightwood Neighbors Association). 

In addition to their investment in making an environmentally sound building, I am proud to share that DePaul has agreed to my office’s request that they install a significant number of electric vehicle charging stations on campus. These stations will be accessible to the public and operated by a vendor selected by the university, extending the ongoing green infrastructure that I believe we need to progress in our City.

These are a few of the many important commitments DePaul has made as our community evolves.

In addition to our support, the Proposed DePaul Facility has received support from the Wrightwood Neighbors Association by a nearly unanimous board vote. Additionally, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce endorsement states that “it is crucial for DePaul to remain competitive to attract students. We agree that this strategic investment in their athletics department will enhance the overall reputation of DePaul on a national level. A healthy and competitive DePaul University is vital for the vibrancy and health of Lincoln Park. It is an integral part of our neighborhood and supporting their growth will ensure that Lincoln Park remains a dynamic and desirable place to live and visit.”

Striking a balance between the needs of a major institution like DePaul and the surrounding community was no simple task. As I have said before related to other community projects, the value of a well-negotiated compromise is found in the depth of the process. Today, two years after we began, I am proud to announce my office’s formal support of the Proposed Depaul Facility (via the requested Amendment to their Planned Development). In doing so, we introduce a comprehensive Plan of Operation that represents the largest renegotiation of DePaul’s Planned Development since it was created decades ago. The commitments made therein represent a balanced win for the success of DePaul and the future of our community.

Yours in Partnership,

Alderman Timmy Knudsen

Alderman Knudsen and family attending Premier League event held in Lincoln Park.

Alderman Knudsen speaking to a freshman DePaul "Discover Chicago" class.

A presenting Carolyn Johnson with an award for mailperson excellence at Edith Spurlock. 

Street Sweeping season is here! Click here for the Street Sweeping Schedule.

Avoid a ticket (and in some cases, being towed!) 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. Click here to view street sweeping schedules and maps for each ward.

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, Click Here

For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Compstat, Click Here

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 5.

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): October 1, 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): October 16, December 18.

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

Click here to check the status of your voter registration

Vote By Mail is now open for the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. 

Click here to apply online to Vote By Mail for the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election!  

Looking to register to vote? Did you recently move or change your name and need to update your registration? Check out one of the options below!

ONLINE: if you have an Illinois driver's license or state ID, you may register online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Use this ID card to register to vote or to change your name or address. 

• You may register online at your new address using an IL state ID or IL driver's license that still has your old address.
• Starting January 1, 2024, 16-year-olds may pre-register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website - 16-year-olds will have their application held in abeyance until voting age.

In Person at Early Voting: You must show two (2) forms of ID. At least one (1) ID must list your current address.

• Available at all Early Voting sites, including 51 sites open as Vote Centers on Election Day.
• Acceptable forms of ID.

At Your Precinct Polling Place on Election Day: You must show two (2) forms of ID. At least one (1) ID must list your current address.

Early Voting in Chicago will start on Thursday, October 3 at 9:00am at the Voting Supersite (191 N. Clark) and Board Offices (69 W. Washington St. - 6th Floor).

Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago begins Monday, October 21 at 9:00am.

Ward 43: Lincoln Park Library located at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave.

Any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site, no matter where they live in the city, & voters can choose whatever voting site is most convenient for them, including on Election Day. All Early Voting locations are ADA-compliant and fully accessible to voters with disabilities. 

Chicago 50 Ward Early Voting Times:
Weekdays: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Voting on Election Day (NOV. 5th) - Locate your precinct polling place or closest vote center.

Election Day (Nov. 5): 6:00 am – 7:00 pm

Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago.

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

One of our Ward's wonderful elementary schools, LaSalle Language Academy, is on Instagram! Follow them here!

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.”

Have questions about street work happening in your area? The Department of Transportation has a wonderful tool to look up street work in your area called the Chi Street Work Portal. Here you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street.

Recycle By City is a great resource where residents can look up their garbage and recycling pickup day here.

Here is your reminder on the City's Blue Cart Basics.

For more info on recycling in Chicago, visit recyclebycity.com/chicago

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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