Dear Neighbors,
The calendar may tell you this is the last weekend of Summer, but I have faith that it is not the end to pretty Chicago days. This week, City Council committee meetings returned following the August recess, and the full City Council will meet next Wednesday, September 23. There is a substantial amount of policy moving through City Hall, and our office will continue to keep you updated as it progresses.
Support for Affordable & Accessible Housing Project at 754 W. Belden
As covered in recent newsletters, Over the Rainbow Association (OTR) has proposed a zoning change at 754 W. Belden to build 30 permanently affordable and accessible homes for people with physical disabilities. In August, my office hosted a well-attended community meeting where OTR presented the proposal and heard directly from neighbors.
Over the past month, we reviewed that feedback and worked with OTR to ensure the project fits well into the surrounding neighborhood, both aesthetically and operationally. As a result, OTR made changes to the building’s façade, and we negotiated a detailed plan of operation addressing parking, garbage, loading and unloading, tenant relocation, and ongoing maintenance. My office will also work with the Chicago Department of Transportation on potential traffic and safety improvements around the intersection.
With these measures in place, I am proud to announce my full support for the 754 W. Belden proposal as it moves to the Committee on Zoning and City Council next week. This project directly advances our commitment to making the 43rd Ward more inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities and incomes, and I hope it can serve as a model for bringing more affordable and accessible housing to neighborhoods across Chicago. Below is an updated rendering reflecting the changes made through our community process:
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Support for a Higher Bar on New City Borrowing
This week, the Finance Committee advanced an ordinance from Ald. Marty Quinn that would increase the threshold to approve new debt authorized to be raised by bond issuances from a simple majority (26 votes) to a three-fifths supermajority (30 votes). It passed committee 21-9, and I expect the full Council to take it up at next week’s full meeting.
I support Ald. Quinn’s ordinance. When used well, bonds are one of the most important tools we have to invest in the infrastructure our neighborhoods need. But when the City borrows, it should be on the best terms possible, and a higher vote threshold gives the Council real leverage to insist on that before any deal gets done. Last year, I opposed the City's $830 million bond authorization due to its 40-year, interest-only repayment structure, which will cost us more in interest over time than we raised in principal. In doing so, I introduced an amendment that would have shortened the term to 30 years and prohibited interest-only payments outright. These moderate tweaks could have saved Chicagoans a few hundred million dollars in interest over time. The amendment failed to get to a vote, and after a period of substantive conversations with the administration, they chose not to partner on a new policy. Read more, including coverage of my comments in support of the ordinance, here.
Common Ground on Renters' Rights
This week, City Council committees advanced two competing proposals, “PRO” and “FAIR”, to update Chicago's landlord-tenant policies. The two ordinances are setting up an important conversation about how we strengthen protections for renters while continuing to build the housing our city needs. While there are still differences between the proposals, I believe that negotiation has led to a meaningful common ground and presented an opportunity for Council to come together over the weekend on a strong, and singular, final ordinance. Click here for a Chicago Tribune article outlining the latest on the negotiation process, including quotes from my questioning and remarks at Tuesday’s hearing.
Opposition to the Proposed ComEd Substation at 1111 W. Diversey
Over the course of the last year, my office has taken a firm stance against the proposed ComEd substation at 1111 W. Diversey Pkwy. As explained in past newsletters, the plot of land is not suitable for a substation that is larger than an acre. This location, in the center of the dense Lincoln Park & Lakeview community, would be best utilized for housing, particularly due to its location adjacent to accessible transit, schools and commercial businesses.
Understanding the need for electrical grid expansion, we sent ComEd 14 alternative locations in our community that we believe are much more viable for a project of this magnitude. On August 25th, ComEd sent a response letter denying each alternative site due to: (i) insufficient size; (ii) property availability and acquisition issues; (iii) and excessive distance from connection points / load centers. In each denial, ComEd did not include a level of substance or analysis that we would expect from any developer in the ward, let alone our state’s largest utility provider. To that end, yesterday we replied to push for the accountability and transparency our community deserves. Please click here to read yesterday’s full letter.
We are grateful for our partners in this work - namely, the Diversey Community Coalition (DCC), Wrightwood Neighbors Association and Central Lake View Neighbors. As the community continues to rally around this effort, please click here for more information on a September 23rd Community Update Meeting and a September 26th Family-Friendly Neighborhood Rally hosted by the DCC.
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P.S. As Yom Kippur approaches, I wish an easy and meaningful fast to all of our Jewish neighbors observing this sacred day. I was proud to recently partner with Chabad Lincoln Park to share a special aldermanic message with our Jewish neighbors in their new 2026–2027 community calendar and arts guide. Our office was generously gifted 100 copies of the guide, so please stop by our office to pick one up for your home. G’mar Chatimah Tovah!
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Alderman Knudsen with the new Beatnik Lincoln Park crew, now open at the corner of Lincoln and Sheffield! Make your reservations here.
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The 43rd Ward Office is looking for Fall/Winter interns.
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This is a great opportunity for students interested in local government, communications, community engagement, and gaining hands-on experience in a busy ward office. We can also sign off on college credit for students. We’re looking for someone who:
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Has afternoon availability, generally 12pm–5pm
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Can commit to 8-12 hours per week
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Is interested in learning more about local government and working with the community
Know someone who might be a good fit? Have them reach out to [email protected].
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Modernizing The 43rd Ward Office
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Last month, our office was proud to be highlighted nationally in a new Indigov and Granicus case study recognizing the 43rd Ward as a model for tech-forward constituent services & responsive local government. The report highlights how our office integrates Chicago’s 311 system directly into our internal workflow, allowing us to respond faster, track issues more efficiently, and proactively communicate with residents. I’m incredibly proud of our small but mighty team for continuing to help set a new standard for modern local government as we believe local government should be as responsive, transparent, and modern as the people it serves. I encourage you to check out the full report here.
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ADU Ordinance Now in Effect
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As of April 1, the City’s ordinance to legalize Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), is officially in effect. Expanding access to ADUs is an important step toward addressing Chicago’s housing shortage and creating more flexible, affordable living options in our neighborhoods. If you have ever considered adding an ADU, whether to create additional income or keep family members close, now is a great time to explore your options. You can enter basic information about your property to see how many units you may be eligible for and learn how to get started. The site also includes an interactive map that allows you to look up eligibility by address. I was proud to support this effort, and I encourage you to learn more, share this opportunity with neighbors, and explore how this program can help expand housing options.
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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. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th & 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.
For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Week 37 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 37 Compstat.
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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, and click here for a larger and printable version of the graphic.
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Ald. Knudsen Continues to Urge Johnson & CDOT to Prioritize Bridge Closures and Offer Alternative Traffic Congestion Plans
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"The ongoing closure of river bridges (especially the Cortland Bridge) has created major traffic strain and frustration for residents and businesses alike. Alongside seven other aldermen, I sent a letter to Mayor Johnson urging his administration and CDOT to prioritize this bridge issue. My office will continue pushing for clearer communication, smarter coordination, and the fastest safe timeline possible to get these bridges reopened." -Ald. Timmy Knudsen
Alderman Knudsen supported a proposal from 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins requiring the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to present a detailed traffic plan before closing any bridge for more than 30 days. The plan must outline how congestion will be reduced — including detours, parking adjustments, and other mitigation strategies. Our office also received a letter back from CDOT, outlining steps they are taking to help reduce traffic congestion and delays for 43rd Ward residents. You can read it here.
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Upcoming events with Ald. Knudsen and VCDP
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Interactive Ward 43 Parking Zone Map
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Our office has created a parking zone map to help residents better understand where residential parking zones are located throughout the ward. For several streets, a Residential Parking Permit may not be required. Some areas may instead be free parking, pay-to-park, school zones, or tow and loading zones that restrict parking during certain hours.
While the map can be helpful for general reference, posted signage is always the most reliable indicator of parking rules. We encourage residents and visitors to carefully check street signs when parking to confirm the applicable restrictions.
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Free cupcakes with every purchase at Dorothy's Bakery at 2318 N Clark -- Thursday 9/24 -- Happy 1 year Dorothy's!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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. The map is also interactive, allowing residents to view the real permits, view projects in other areas of the City, and see which type of work is being done on your street.
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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: 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.”
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E-Scooters and E-Bikes Policy Updates
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Please click here for updated guidance and rules from CDOT on Scooter and E-Bike rides.
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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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