Dear Neighbors,
Spring is in full swing, and there's a lot to share. This body of this newsletter covers policy updates and community events, and make sure to keep scrolling for updates on two topics we know are top of mind for many of you: the Francis W. Parker School expansion proposal feedback and the potential Diversey ComEd substation.
Public Safety Policy Updates:
Chicago just took a meaningful step forward on public safety. The city's Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) Program, which sends behavioral health professionals, not police, to non-violent mental health crisis calls, is now expanding to all 22 police districts.
Mental health crises require a specialized response, and CARE gets that right through connecting residents to real support while freeing up police officers to focus on what only they can do. Data from other cities shows that CARE programs provide better outcomes for both residents and police officers. CARE began as a small 2021 pilot and has grown into a citywide public health response. With a belief that Chicago deserves a diversified public safety approach combining strong police and violence intervention funding, I've pushed for full funding before. I'll keep watching to make sure this expansion is backed by real resources. As the scaling of CARE begins, watch our newsletter for upcoming educational seminars.
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Public safety also means ensuring our officers have the tools they need. That's why I've been closely tracking the city's long-delayed effort to replace its gunshot detection technology (previously, “ShotSpotter”), and why I signed onto a resolution calling for a Public Safety Committee hearing on the matter.
I want to be clear: I support bringing this technology back. It was a mistake when the city ended ShotSpotter's contract without a replacement plan. Gunshot detection helps officers respond faster, recover evidence, and reach victims who never called 911. Nine companies submitted bids, with a deadline back in April 2025. Yet at this week's committee hearing, several colleagues and myself were frustrated that the city could not confirm who is evaluating the proposals or offer any timeline for a decision. This isn’t acceptable, and therefore, we have scheduled a follow-up hearing for June 3 to keep pressing for answers.
Earth Month Continues:
I want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who joined our 4th Annual Earth Day cleanup in Lincoln Park last Saturday. Over 130 volunteers cleaned, planted, weeded, mulched, and beautified ten shared public spaces across the neighborhood. A special shoutout is owed to the Old Town Triangle Association and the Eagle Scout Troop 79 for organizing and leading lasting improvements at Ella Jenkins Park such as community announcement kiosks, three raised native plant beds, and a brand new community planting space. It'll keep growing for seasons to come.
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The work to keep our community clean never stops, and I hope you will join our Volunteer Corps’ “Block Heroes” this Sunday, May 17th from 11am - 1pm for an Oz Park Cleaning.
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Finally, the 5th annual RANCH Triangle’s Mayfest on Armitage (west of Sheffield) has officially begun! Walk over all weekend to support the local neighborhood. The festival is full of music, food and fun for all ages.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Next Friday, May 22nd at 2pm, the 43rd Ward office will close for Memorial Day Weekend, and will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th at 9am. Saturday Office hours on May 23rd will not be held over the holiday weekend. May 22nd is also the start of "Team Fridays" which will alter office hours to 9am-2pm every Friday through Labor Day in order to commit time to weekly staff development and goal setting from outside the office.
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Francis W. Parker Proposal Update
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For the past six weeks, our office has been gathering feedback around the Francis W. Parker school expansion and field lighting proposal. After the public meeting on the topic, we sent information on the proposal out from our newsletter, including requests for feedback to be provided in person, virtually or by phone. With every piece of feedback, we sought specific addresses and names to be able to provide a complete view of the feedback to the community. Because the ward welcomes so many people from outside of our boundaries, we wanted to ensure everyone's voice was heard while prioritizing the feedback made by 43rd Ward residents. Click here to view a complete overview of the specific feedback, with identifying information (such as names and addresses) redacted for privacy reasons.
As a high-level view of the feedback, we received 618 responses, with 468 from verified 43rd Ward residents. The breakdown is as follows:
School Expansion (onto Belden):
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All respondents: 68.4% (423) support, 29.0% (179) oppose, 2.6% (16) neutral
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Ward residents: 60.5% (283) support, 36.3% (170) oppose, 3.2% (15) neutral
Lights on Existing Field:
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All respondents: 68.8% (425) support, 25.2% (156) oppose, 6.0% (37) neutral
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Ward residents: 60.9% (285) support, 31.8% (149) oppose, 7.3% (34) neutral
Top Themes Noted in Support of the Proposal:
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School commitment to build rent-reduced affordable housing units on Clark
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Increased financial aid to expand access to the school
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Concerns that alternative development on the site (which allows for ~10 stories without zoning approval) could be more disruptive
Top Themes Noted in Objection to the Proposal:
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Proposal provides insufficient benefits to the community
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Increased traffic, parking & pick-up/drop-off congestion
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Increased light pollution from the field lights
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Loss of residential housing on Belden and a historic building
This feedback is helpful to my office as it provides input from community members with differing viewpoints. This input is not determinative, but will help us guide our decision-making process and negotiations. Additionally, it helps us consider a project’s near-term impact, as well as how the long-term impact would fit with our 43rd Ward Office’s Mission, Visions and Values. This week, we met with the Mid-North Neighbors Association and residents of two adjacent buildings as part of our ongoing dialogue around this proposal. We look forward to continuing our conversations with community members.
As always, I want to thank my small (but mighty) team in the 43rd Ward Office who has organized this large amount of feedback. In a ward office as busy as ours, this is no small feat to do so on top of existing work portfolios; however, we are committed to presenting this information transparently.
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Highlighted in this Block Club Chicago article, and this CBS video, I am highlighting growing community concerns surrounding ComEd’s proposed electrical substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway. The project, which ComEd has described as important for strengthening grid reliability, has prompted pushback from a coalition of nearby residents and neighborhood groups raising questions about its scale, location, and potential impacts given its proximity to homes, schools, and public spaces. The article underscores broader concerns about how the project is being classified under the city’s zoning code, with neighbors calling for greater transparency and a more robust public review process as plans evolve.
Building on those concerns, in early April I submitted a formal request to the City’s Zoning Administrator for a Written Interpretation of how this project should be classified under Chicago’s zoning framework. In response, the Zoning Administrator did not issue a definitive determination, citing a lack of sufficient project-specific information from ComEd. While the letter notes that substations have historically been treated as “Minor Utilities,” it also makes clear that the City does not yet have enough detail to fully evaluate this proposal and leaves the door open for further review if additional information is provided.
In the meantime, my office will continue working closely with engaged residents to press ComEd for more clarity and transparency. We have also formally requested that the Department of Buildings and the Chicago Department of Transportation place an administrative hold on any demolition permits until a clearer zoning determination is made. For more information, please read my special newsletter highlighting the issue here.
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Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Rainstorm Ready Workshop with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis
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Helping neighbors remember that the Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market has slightly moved on the sidewalk in front of LPHS at Orchard and Armitage with our new banner
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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), led by Alderman Bennett Lawson and supported by my office, is officially in effect. In just the first two days, the City received 88 applications, an encouraging early sign that residents are ready to take advantage of this long-awaited change. 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 across our city.
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The Recycle Coach app is a simple, all-in-one tool to help you manage trash, recycling, and waste services in your neighborhood. It helps residents stay organized, recycle correctly, and keep up with local services. With Recycle Coach, you can:
- Get personalized trash and recycling pickup reminders
- Look up how to properly dispose of items with the “What Goes Where” tool
- Find drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle materials
- Stay updated on service changes and holiday schedules
- Learn about local recycling events and programs
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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 19 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 19 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 Urges 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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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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RANCH Triangle is now offering $1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations whose work benefits residents of the RANCH community. To be eligible, an organization’s work must benefit RANCH residents, though the organization does not need to be located within the neighborhood. Interested non-profits can email RANCH at [email protected] for more info. Applications must be submitted by June 5, 2026.
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When: SATURDAY JUNE 6TH
Start Line: Butch McGuire's 11:00 AM
Finish Line: Mary Jo McGuire'
ALL Proceeds go towards supporting Chicago Fire Fighters!
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Host an international high school exchange student at Lincoln Park High!
Free and Open to the Public - Register here
The featured students are part of AFS Intercultural Programs, which carefully vets and prepares students from around the world for a successful exchange experience.
Host families complete a simple application and screening process, then choose a student who is the best fit for their family, with support from the local AFS team throughout the year.
Hosting creates lasting impact not only for students, but also for families and communities.
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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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