32nd Ward Newsletter May 15, 2026

32nd Ward Newsletter May 15, 2026

Dear John,

Yesterday, we mourned the death of Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven Decker, a 30-year veteran assigned to Engine 71A on the far north side of the City. During a training exercise, Firefighter Decker was injured and taken to the hospital but passed away shortly after. Even in training exercises, the job of firefighters is difficult and can be extremely dangerous.


For those who called about the street closures yesterday, Western Avenue was closed to show respect to Firefighter Decker as he was escorted to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. We will provide more information as it becomes available but want to send our condolences to the family of Firefighter Decker. 


****


I wanted to give a quick shout out to Victor, owner of Victory Training, located at 2212 w Roscoe and congratulate him on his one year anniversary! Victory Training just completed their expansion and to celebrate these milestones and encourage community wellness this summer, they are offering a special for their group class schedule: $120 for the entire summer. So stop by anytime!

If your business is running any neighborhood specials or celebrating a special occasion, I'd love to share the good news in this newsletter. Send details to [email protected]. I love seeing our local businesses thriving. Support and shop local always!

Reminder to help rat proof your property- make sure to keep garbage carts closed, pick up after dogs, and contact the city for baitings/replacing garbage carts that have holes. The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) issues sanitation violations to property owners who allow exterior building conditions that contribute to rodent conditions. To report a sanitation code violation to DSS, please call 311 or click here to submit a service request. The department will investigate exterior rat problems and issue tickets as needed. 

The Bucktown Community Organization is partnering with us to do a document shredding event this weekend, and the Lincoln/Roscoe Craft Fair is also this weekend. Please see below for more details and other community events. 

Have a safe weekend,

Alderman Scott Waguespack

May CAPS Meetings

14th Police District

1432- May 20, 6pm

Holstein Park

2200 N. Oakley

1434- May 20, 5:30PM- ZOOM ONLY

Webinar ID: 848 9916 0707

Passcode:496540

[email protected]

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261



19th Police District

1921/1922- May 20, 6:30pm 

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1931- May 26, 6:30pm 

Lathrop Advancement Center

2820 N. Leavitt

1932- May 28, 6:30pm 

Lincoln Park Library

1150 W. Fullerton

[email protected]

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

2026 Street Cleaning Schedule

Street cleaning season has begun. Sweepers will do more than one pass on the block in their initial cleaning but will not come back to clean sections outside of their officially scheduled day.

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 2, 3, and 4 (parts of Roscoe Village and West Lakeview). Click on the map above to see your section's schedule.

Please be on the lookout for signs and make sure to move your vehicle on your scheduled day (south and east sides of the street are normally done on the first day, north and west on the second; please watch for signs).

Please take the time to help clear the curb in front of your property to keep the sewers flowing well. Any landscaping debris should be bagged and put in the alley by your trash cans. Please do not sweep landscaping debris into the street. Piles of leaves and heavy garbage also clog the sweepers and will cause significant delays. Other large objects like branches will also damage the sweepers, so please remove them from curbs.

Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool. 

Water Main Project

Greenview, Fullerton to Altgeld

Update 5/15/26

Tentative schedule for the week of May 18 (All field activities are weather dependent) -

• Monday 5/18/2026, DWM crew will make another test hole at Greenview by the alley to avoid the electric package which runs by the center of the alley.

• Continue installing a new 8” ductile iron water main on Greenview, starting from Altgeld toward Greenview.

• While the crew is working on the WM, all the private drains on the east side of Greenview will be replaced to comply with IEPA requirements. Up to today, seven addresses have been replaced, as they are crossing the new water main, from clay to a 6” ductile pipe.

• Up to date, 51% of the work has been completed (in the water main phase of the project). 

In addition to contacting our office with questions, residents can look for a Water Department supervisor on the street wearing a white hard hat to have questions answered immediately. 

Street and Alley Repaving

These streets or alleys are set to be repaved in the near future. Generally, they will be milled down, followed up by the repaving 2-3 weeks later, weather depending.

Alley resurfacing

• Montana between Montana/Fullerton/Western/Oakley
• Charleston between Charleston/Dickens/Western/Oakley
• McLean between McLean/Armitage/Western/Oakley
• Wrightwood between Wrightwood/Altgeld/Southport/Wayne
• Bosworth between Bosworth/Greenview/Wrightwood/Altgeld
• Altgeld between Altgeld/Fullerton/Greenview/Janssen
• Addison between Addison/Cornelia/Oakley/Bell
• Wellington between Wellington/Lincoln/Lakewood

Street resurfacing

• Medill from Oakley to Western
• Charleston from Oakley to Western
• Cortland from Damen to Hoyne
• Wellington from Honore to Seeley

You're Invited to the 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtables!

Please feel to share your insights about the upcoming 2027 budget by attending one of three Budget Engagement Roundtables. Click on the event you'd like to attend to register!

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE I

Weds, June 3rd, 2026

Malcolm X College

1900 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60612

Resource Fair: 5:00 PM

Roundtables: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE II

Saturday, June 6th, 2026

Harry S. Truman

1145 W. Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 6064

Resource Fair: 9:00 AM

Roundtable: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE III

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Kennedy-King College

6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621

Resource Fair: 5:00 PM

Roundtable: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair
May 16 & 17
Lincoln Ave between Roscoe & Melrose

This event features art for the home including fabulous paintings, sculptures, and fiber pieces, as well as décor, jewelry and more; all hand made by artists and artisans! Click here for more info.

Roscoe Village Community Garage Sale

Get ready to clear out your clutter, find amazing bargains, and connect with neighbors at the Roscoe Village Community Garage Sale!

Saturday, June 6th

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Rain or Shine!)

$20 to Register

Last year, over 60 households participated—and we’re aiming for even more this year! Whether you’re selling or shopping, it’s a great way to meet neighbors and discover hidden treasures.

Ready to sell? Register today to get your home on the official map and help us advertise the event far and wide.

Deadline to register is May 31st.

Let’s make this year’s sale the biggest yet!

Wellington Greenway Plans

Chicago Parents & Voters! Take This Survey About the Future of Our School Board!

The first-ever fully elected school board will be voted on this fall, and WBEZ wants to hear from you! Inform their candidate questionnaire and school board voter guide by telling them what issues are affecting you and your family, and what questions you have for the candidates.

Each spring and fall, about five million birds (of 250 bird species) migrate through Chicago. These birds are often attracted to building lights and lighted glass areas, sometimes with fatal outcomes. While lights can distract birds from their migration paths, bird fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy they waste flying around and calling out in confusion. The exhaustion can leave them vulnerable to other urban threats.

Good light reduction practices significantly lower fatalities. Multi-story buildings can save many birds by turning off decorative lighting from 11 PM until daylight each day from March 15 to June 15 for spring migration, and again from August 15 to November 15 for fall migration. Tenants are also encouraged to turn off lights or draw blinds during these periods.

What You Can Do to Help

• Turn off exterior decorative lighting, including lights on antennas, logos, clocks, and other displays or illuminations.

• Use timers effectively to ensure light is only used when needed.

• Install motion-sensitive lighting.

• Use lower-intensity lighting where possible.

• In outside public areas where light is needed for public safety, avoid “light trespass” by using light fixtures that direct the light down where it is needed, instead of horizontally and/or upward.

• Use desk lamps or task lighting for security desks/work stations rather than overhead lights.

• Use “zone capable” interior lighting systems that allow selected rather than all areas of an interior space to be illuminated.

• Draw curtains or blinds to reduce any light escaping.

Click here for more information on the Lights Out program.

Chicago Business Resource Expo

The first in-person Chicago Business Resource Expo of 2026 will kick-off with a networking breakfast sponsored by the Office of City Treasurer. There will be an exhibition hall offering resources from over 40 nonprofit and government agencies, and workshops. The keynote address will be by Jackie Taylor, Founder, Executive Director and CEO, Black Ensemble Theater, the only theater in the nation whose mission is to eradicate racism and its damaging effects on society through the utilization of theater arts and community engagement.

BACP rebranded Chicago Small Biz Expo to Chicago Business Resource Expo. BACP will continue to provide businesses resources for current and aspiring small business owners in Chicago through a series of small business expos.

Day/Date: Saturday, May 16

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Location: Truman College, McKeon Building, 1145 W. Wilson Ave,. Chicago, IL 60640

Register: Chicago.gov/BizExpo

Network Night at

Bitter Pops

Tue. June 23, 5:30 - 7:00pm

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy light refreshments, engaging conversations, and the chance to meet fellow members from a wide range of industries—all in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Network Nights is your place to connect, exchange ideas, and grow your business together.

Register here!

City News

• Chicago’s Native Garden Registry Is Open for Applications. Here’s How To Qualify
• New Wicker Park, Bucktown Murals Welcome Summer to the Neighborhoods and the 606
• Mental Health Emergency Response Program Expands Citywide
• The Origin African Fusion Restaurant and Lounge Opening in Bucktown
• 2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
• 24 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Festivals, Vintage Store Day and More

Alderman Scott Waguespack

2657 North Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-1330

[email protected]