1st Ward Newsletter | November 4, 2025
|
|
|
Dear neighbors,
I wanted to take today's newsletter opening to highlight three meetings that you will want to be at!
Tonight at the Lincoln Lodge at 6:00 p.m.: A Know Your Rights Training specifically for businesses. More and more ICE abductions are happening at Chicago businesses or just in front of them. I'm grateful to our small businesses for your solidarity and empathy (Hands Off Chicago signs displayed across the 1st Ward!) but if you want more information about your rights, what you can do or could do, please join us this evening. You can sign up here or just join us. Business posters for ICE-Free Zones and Know Your Rights will be distributed to interested businesses owners at tonight's meeting.
Saturday, November 8th at Goethe Elementary at 11:00 a.m.: A Budget Town Hall with Mayor Brandon Johnson. It is essential that we pass a budget that builds a healthy, safe, and thriving city. I believe our budget must be a rebuke to the austerity we see from Washington and reflect our progressive values, and I'm glad that the mayor has agreed to come out to directly discuss the budget with northwest side Chicagoans. Much thanks also to Goethe Elementary for hosting us. Parking is limited so feet, bikes, and public transit are recommended.
Monday, December 1st at Logandale Elementary at 5:30 p.m.: A Better Streets for Buses Town Hall. Knowing how the holidays fill up I wanted you to know about this one now. After years of organizing, CDOT and CTA are bringing forward infrastructure ideas to promote faster and more comfortable bus service on the Fullerton and Milwaukee lines, with some proposals being genuinely transformative. I'm very excited for these to be shared with you and get your feedback. Register here!
Finally, Jose de Diego Community Academy is collecting food donations for families who will be affected by the reduction in SNAP benefits. You can find more information on this effort down in the "Community News and Events" section of our newsletter.
Stay safe and stay strong.
Sincerely,
|
|
In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
|
|
|
|
Last month, we reopened Park #399 after long-awaited improvements! The 1st Ward Office is now asking for community input on a new name for the park. Please use the form below to submit a suggestion for Park #399's new name!
|
|
|
2026 Residential Daily passes are now available for purchase! Any 2025 passes will expire on December 31, 2025. Please note that there are no refunds on any unused sheets/passes.
|
|
|
|
It is recommended that you call our office in advance of any purchase, so that we may confirm that all of our machines are working, and also so we can check on your account to resolve any issues with the City Clerk's Office in advance.
|
|
Community News and Events
|
|
Please see the flyer above for items to donate, ways to provide financial support, or visit this link!
For those in need of food assistance, visit the We Got You Illinois website for a comprehensive list of food pantries, meal programs, and food distribution partners, including hours and locations, throughout Chicago and Cook County or find nearby food banks using Feeding Illinois' interactive map.
|
|
|
Logan Square businesses are coming together this week for a community food drive. See the flyer above for needed items and drop-off locations. 1st Ward businesses:
- Intuit Healing – 2514 W. Armitage Ave
- Covet Oddities – 3057 W. Diversey Ave
- Phayes – 2501 N. Milwaukee Ave
- Play – 3109 W. Logan Blvd
- Paulie Gee's – 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave
- Steel Petal Press – 2321 N. Milwaukee Ave
|
|
|
|
November events at the West Town library are here! Learn more about specific events like Puerto Rican Flag Mosaic Making or Violin Group Class here.
|
|
|
The CTA is hosting several public meetings for the Bus Priority Corridor Study—a major next step toward implementing the Better Streets for Buses Plan. The Bus Priority Corridor Study is exploring ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable on five key corridors across the city. CTA and CDOT will work closely with residents, local businesses, and community organizations to explore potential infrastructure improvements.
|
|
|
Community Review Updates
- Recommended Approval - 2240 N. Milwaukee. A zoning attorney and property owner reached out to discuss a zoning proposal to redevelop the existing vacant lot into a transit-served, mixed use development with 50 dwelling units. This case received a 1st Ward First Look on May 12, 2025, and a subsequent neighborhood group review and 1st Ward meeting October 6, 2025. Based on overwhelming positive feedback and improvements to the ground floor loading arrangements for commercial units, Alderman La Spata would recommend approval to City Council on a future zoning map amendment reflecting these plans. (received March 2025)
- Recommended Approval - 1805 N. Campbell (New Inquiry) There is a new contract purchaser seeking to redevelop the existing legally non-conforming single unit residence, by demolishing the single unit residence to create a 4-story, 21 unit residence as previously presented to the community. The 1st Ward Office awaits plans and more information. The new development team met with the West Bucktown neighborhood zoning group, and since the plans substantially match those previously presented to the community there is no objection from the neighborhood group to proceed. (received February 2025)
|
|
Recent Zoning Inquiries
- 1624 W. Chicago: A speculative buyer reached out to learn more about rezoning the subject building to allow for a hospitality concept on the ground floor. The 1st Ward Office provided zoning information. This property is not yet under contract, so the 1st Ward awaits more information. (received November 2025)
- 2149 N. Milwaukee: A contract purchaser reached out to propose rezoning the lot across the street from the Congress Theater. Since this lot is within the current Planned Development zoning amendment that includes the Congress Theater, the 1st Ward Office is reviewing this zoning proposal with the City, and awaiting more information. (received October 2025)
- 1533 N. Western: A zoning attorney reached out on behalf of a property owner, to propose a zoning change to convert ground floor commercial to residential. The 1st Ward Office sent developer's intake packet and requested more information. (originally received April 2025; received again October 2025)
- 1738 W. Division: A zoning attorney reached out on behalf of a proposed business where pet treats would be manufactured and sold on-site. The 1st Ward Office has located an existing business that includes a similar model under B3 zoning, and Alderman La Spata has advocated for this existing business license to be approved under B3 zoning. (received September 2025)
- 1654 W. Chicago: A business owner reached out regarding zoning change options to establish a package goods establishment in a commercial storefront. The 1st ward office requested more information. (received September 2025; no update through October 2025)
|
|
|
|
|
