February 21, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Many of you have reached out about my position on the current bond authorization proposal that will go to a City Council vote next week. The goal of this bond authorization is to fund up to $830 million of infrastructure projects that I view as essential for our City. However, I cannot support the currently proposed pay-back structure which would push our initial payment of principal far into the future; thus, causing an outsized amount of interest to be accrued over the years. 

In hopes that a compromise can be reached, I am having active conversations with the City’s Chief Financial Officer on alternative pay-back scenarios to reduce the collective debt service payment that our city would owe over time. Similar to my approach to the recent city budget (which I voted ‘no’ on), I will continue negotiating in good faith over the weekend and until a vote is made. Despite some city leaders making this issue out to be simpler than it is on social media, this newsletter will always make an honest attempt to dive into the meat of what a policy means and for whom. I want to thank all of you who reached out for clarification on this topic while expressing their shared commitment to the financial stability of our city.

As the summary above is a simplified overview of a complex debt scenario, below this newsletter introduction (after the “P.S.”), we have drafted a Bond Q&A that I hope is helpful for any resident trying to wrap their mind around what this bond authorization would pay for, how it would function, and how this instrument differs from other forms of debt. 

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to hear U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speak at The House of Hope in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood on the southside. Hearing from our nation’s first Black female Supreme Court Justice was a reminder of a few Chicago “firsts” (but certainly not “lasts”) that I find inspiring:

• Mary Richardson-Lowry serves as Chicago’s first Black female Corporation Counsel. Mary was a vital partner in my passing the “Stop Hate Littering” Ordinance, to combat the increase of antisemitic hate incidents in Chicago.

• Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th Ward) serves as Chicago’s first Black gay alderperson (after making history as the first Black gay Illinois State Representative). We recently elected Lamont as Chair of the Chicago LGBTQ+ Caucus. 

• Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) serves as Chicago’s first Black Finance Chair. Ald. Dowell is widely respected for her fierce independence and balanced approach. 

• Ald. Angela Clay (46th Ward) serves as Chicago's first Black alderperson of the 46th Ward. Ald. Clay deserves a special shout-out for helping our ward out of a bind with the post office, and partnering with 43rd Ward Gold Coast resident (and Chicago legend) Jerry Mickelson on his work to preserve the Uptown Theatre.

• Finally, I need to shout out the 43rd Ward’s amazing Black leadership State Sen. Lakesia Collins & State Rep. Jawaharial Omar Williams, who partner with our office daily on funding projects, improving public schools and uplifting our seniors with resources through Springfield.

These are a few of the many officials making Black history while helping to lead the 43rd Ward. As Justice Jackson says, she may be the first Black woman on the bench, but she is certainly not the first who could have been. The same goes for the many Black Chicagoans creating “firsts” in their work and communities - you inspire me, and I pledge in my leadership to always highlight and work to combat Chicago’s historical inequities. Chicago will only reach its full potential when all corners of the City have access to investment and opportunity. 

Sincerely, 

Alderperson Timmy Knudsen

P.S. in case you missed it, the 43rd Ward’s “Elevate” apartment building recently sold for $114million. This transaction is among the only major apartment building sales in Chicago in the last few years (following a West Loop sale at a lesser amount). It is further evidence of the 43rd Ward’s positive real estate outlook, especially relative to neighborhoods in other major American cities. 

What Is a Bond, and How Is It Different from a Loan?

A bond is a financial tool that allows governments to raise money for large projects, like infrastructure improvements or public safety upgrades. When a city issues a bond, it’s essentially borrowing money from multiple investors and agreeing to repay the amount over time with interest. Many of us saving for retirement are municipal bond investors indirectly through index funds and ETFs. 

The key difference between a bond and a traditional loan is who provides the funding. With a loan, the city would borrow from a single lender, such as a bank. Bonds, on the other hand, allow the city to raise funds from multiple investors, often with better interest rates and longer repayment terms. This approach spreads out the cost more effectively and can offer more flexibility for large-scale public projects.

What Is This Bond For?

The current proposal under consideration involves authorizing the city issuing up to $830 million in general obligation bonds to finance the city's 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan. This plan includes various infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing our city's public services and facilities, such as the following:

• $64.9 million for fleet and equipment replacement (382 police vehicles, 41 fire vehicles, 62 Streets and Sans Vehicles, public safety cameras, and CFD bunker gear).

• $108 million for aldermanic menu funds (how we fund infrastructure work locally).

• $98.9 million for bridge and viaduct replacement and improvement projects (most of which are funded by the federal government; however, this amount is reserved for a required local match).

• $157.5 million for Chicago’s Complete Streets Program (funding street safety and new streetscape projects).

• $73.8 million for facility renovations and unsafe building demolitions.

• $100 million in lead service line replacements

• Additionally, $19 million for sidewalks, $63 million for street lights, $102 million for street repavement, and $15 million for traffic signal improvements. 

However, the proposed repayment structure has raised significant concerns for the following reasons:

• Deferred Payments: The city would begin with interest-only payments for the first 19 years, with principal repayments starting in 2045. This back-loaded schedule means that the bulk of the debt would be paid off much later, significantly increasing the total cost of debt service (principal + interest) over time.

• Long-Term Financial Impact: Under this payment structure, estimates suggest that if the bond raised the full $830 million authorized, the total repayment cost could exceed $2 billion due to the extended payment timeline and accumulating interest.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I understand how political narratives on social media can shape public perception, but my focus remains on achieving the best outcome for our community and our city. Therefore, I’m hopeful that conversations with the administration on how to improve this debt instrument will continue productively in good faith. Only a few of us hold real leverage in this situation, and I intend to use it responsibly to secure the best deal for our city.

Lincoln Park High School’s competitive robotics team, LP ROARbotics, continues to dominate the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) league in Chicago. They secured the prestigious Inspire Award and earned a spot in the Illinois State Championship for the fourth consecutive year! Congratulations to LP ROARbotics on their outstanding achievement, and best of luck at the Illinois State Championship! Go Lions! 

LP ROARbotics team and Mr. Bentley, lead mentor of LP ROARbotics, after advancing to Illinois State Championship

Ald. Knudsen celebrating neighborhood successes at the Annual Sheffield Neighbors Association Meeting

If you are looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month locally, this Saturday the Chicago History Museum hosts their “Commemorative Day” from 10am-2pm. If you can’t make it this Saturday, the Chicago History Museum has exhibitions, events, and educational/research resources that honor and celebrate Black history year-round. I also highly recommend their running exhibit “Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till.” 

Schedule for “Commemorative Day” on February 22nd: 

10am–2pm – Printmaking with Purpose with teaching artist Jomo Cheatham 

10am–12pm – Arts and Crafts for Social Change

12–1pm – Talk | “Final Judgement: The Case of Emmett Till” by Dr. Christopher Benson

1:30–2:30pm – Film Screening | The Murder of Emmett Till (2023)

This Sunday, February 23rd, marks the end of Black Restaurant Week. I recommend checking out this Block Club article that outlines all of the participating restaurants. 

The 43rd Ward Office will be closed on the following days:

• Saturday Office Hours on March 1st 
• Monday, March 3rd in observance of Pulaski Day 

Following the success of our 12 such events last year, this year we will continue the series as an additional way for community members to connect with me and representatives from other City of Chicago Departments. On February 25th at 5:30pm, I will be joined by Deputy Commissioners from BACP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection) at the Lincoln Park Library. See you there!

On Thursday, February 27th at 6:30 pm, our office is hosting a community meeting to discuss a proposed development at 1118 W Fullerton Ave. The applicant is requesting B3-3 zoning designation through a Type 1 re-zoning to allow for a mixed-use development that would include ground-floor commercial space and 3 floors of residential units. The business that would occupy the commercial space is the second location for a woman-owned gym –  The Garage Chicago. 

This community meeting will be held over Zoom. If you cannot attend, we will be including the presentation in the newsletter the following day, so we welcome everyone to review their proposal and email any feedback to our office at yourvoice@ward43.org. 

1118 W Fullerton St Community Meeting

Thursday, February 27th, 2025

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81063004183

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.

Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling released a 2024 Year in Review report, analyzing CPD's progress over the past year. Notable details include the launch of specialized teams such as a business burglaries task force, an 8% reduction in homicides, a 7% drop in shooting incidents, and a 26% decline in vehicular hijackings compared to 2023. CPD also recovered over 12,000 firearms citywide, and launched a Crime Gun Intelligence Center to trace firearms connected with crimes, process ballistic evidence, and identify firearm traffickers. You can read the full report here.

For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Compstat

For 19th District (north of Fullerton) 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): March 4th, 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): March 6th, 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): March 13th, 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): April 1st, 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.

The 18th District CAPS office announced events specifically aimed at helping inform seniors on how to stay safe in their communities. These events, while designed for older Chicagoans, are open to the public. If you have further questions, please reach out to the 18th District CAPS team by calling 312-742-5870 or emailing CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org

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

The Mayor of the Armitage Brown Line Station is retiring next Friday, February 28. After 32 years of dutiful service to the CTA, 25 years at the Armitage station, Janet Martin is calling it a career. Please join the Sheffield Neighborhood Association and RANCH Triangle Association in saying thank you to
Janet for taking care of all of us and our local station for so long. Next Friday, our community is coming together with light bites, refreshments and some surprises for the best public service employee our transit system has ever seen! Bring the whole family - kids
and dogs especially (both Janet’s favorites)!
If you have any questions or would like to participate in the planning, please email
info@sheffieldneighborhood.org.

Join LaSalle Language Academy's Black Business Fair on February 28th from 2pm-5:30pm. If you are a business looking to participate, please fill out this form. 

Join us on Sunday, March 2 at North Avenue Beach for Polar Plunge® Chicago for Special Olympics Illinois presented by Special Children's Charities! Don't miss this incredible winter event that supports a good cause! We're celebrating our 25th Anniversary with thousands of friends and supporters. Help us make a difference for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can also give to them directly here and register for the plunge here. 

Tickets are on sale now for Tutoring Chicago's 6th Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee at Second City! Join us on March 12th at Chicago's premier improv club for a night of comedy, local celebrities including WGN's Micah Mattere, Alderman Timmy Knudsen, Miss Illinois Grace Rodi (and more!), cocktails and competition. Talk about F-U-N! Capacity is limited, so don't wait to get tickets. Proceeds support Tutoring Chicago's free tutoring program for Chicago students facing economic barriers. Email Britt Uhlenhake for remaining sponsorship opportunities or with questions.

USA Today has a poll to determine the Best Art Fair. The Old Town Art Fair is the ONLY Art Fair in Illinois that is in the competition! Vote HERE! 

"Set in Chicago's charming Old Town Triangle Historic District, the Old Town Art Fair is a celebrated tradition featuring over 200 artists from across the country. Attendees can explore a wide range of artwork, from stunning paintings and sculptures to photography & mixed media, while strolling in picturesque tree-lined streets. The fair also has live music, local food vendors, a garden walk, and a family-friendly area with art activities for kids."

Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment.  Greencorps Chicago is currently recruiting potential candidates for this year’s Employment & Training Program.  

During the nine-month program, trainees receive practical experience, professional development, and classroom & field training in a variety of environmentally-related jobs with skills that are easily transferable to other industries. 

For more info, please see: https://greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/.

Join Picosa for an engaging evening! On March 2nd at 7pm in the Allen Recital Hall in the Holtschneider Performance Center. As always, students are free, and tickets for the General Public are sold here. We will present Picosa favorite, Aaron Copland‘s Appalachian Spring, paired with brand new companion piece, Persephone by James Stephenson. Closing the concert with a little ‘metal’ and another World Premiere, Tool‘s Schism, arranged by Composer-in residence Jonathon Kirk.

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.

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

Please see the graphic to understand the price changes you will see when you purchase a City sticker, or guest parking passes. 

Please be aware that the City Clerk has updated their process for first-time residents to register to purchase daily guest parking passes. You will no longer email EZBuy@CityofChicago.org; instead, you can complete an online form here. Please note that the online registration process may take approximately 10 business days for a response. If you prefer same-day access to guest passes, you can register in person at any City Clerk location listed here and purchase parking passes there or at our office.

Sidewalk cafe renewal applications are now being accepted. Applications can be submitted online via the permitting web portal through Friday, February 28th.

This Spring, Saturday Morning Quantum will host a 10-class series, led by experts highlighting special topics and Fermilab career opportunities in an effort to connect Chicago high school students with Fermilab science and inspire the next generation to join the field of high energy physics, specifically quantum physics, and engineering. Interested High School students, in grades 9-12, are invited to complete this interest form by February 24, 2025. The program is March 8 - May 31 (10 weeks) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the South Chicago Olive Harvey Learning Center, 3055 East 92nd Street, Chicago IL 60617. In addition to learning about quantum and related topics, students may earn a Certificate of Participation and a Certificate of Perfect Attendance from Fermilab as well as a $200 stipend from After School Matters for successful completion of the series. For questions regarding the stipend, please reach out to ECCE@cps.edu

The St. James Mavericks invite you to bring your children to make new friends and develop social skills with interactive toys, simple crafts, and storytime.

Open to children ages birth - 4

Fridays excluding 2/21 & 4/18

• 8:45am-9:15am - Playground
• Gross Motor Skills Open Play
• 9:15am-10:15am - Library
• Seasonal Art Project and Storytime

Caregivers must accompany child. FREE for all families, friends, and neighbors.

Save the Date: March 15th!

Join us for our March Mavericks Open House at St. James School for a day of fun, basketball, and family-friendly activities! 

March Mavericks: Meet our vibrant community and learn about our dynamic academic programs and extracurricular offerings. For the little ones, we’ll have arts & crafts, library activities, and story time throughout the morning. Snacks will be available, and ages 0-7 must be accompanied by an adult. Basketball Camp: Enjoy basketball-themed activities like shooting contests and mini-games. 9-10 AM: Open Gym for Kindergarten & younger 10-11 AM: K-2 Instruction with Mr. Gast and team. 

Explore our academic programs and after-school activities. Tour the campus and meet current students and faculty. Enjoy basketball activities for all ages and creative activities for younger children Location: 2101 N Fremont Street

RSVP here. 

Click on the image to apply, and learn more. 

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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