Dear Neighbors,
The 43rd Ward has a complicated history with Valentine’s Day, as home to the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Today, however, our community tells a story of connection, culture, and celebration. TimeOut Chicago recently named the three most romantic spots in the city - Geja’s Cafe, Mon Ami Gabi, and North Pond - all three which are right here in our ward. From the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Wrightwood 659 Museum, to the lakefront trails, and our incredible local restaurants and bars, the 43rd Ward is a place to celebrate all year long.
Bridge Closures Update:
This week, I 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. The measure passed committee and is expected to go before the full City Council next week.
Like many of you, I shared the frustration last fall when the Cortland Street bridge closure overlapped with work on the lake and Chicago Avenue bridges, creating significant congestion across the North Side. Emergency repairs would still be allowed under this ordinance, but CDOT would need to notify the Council within 24 hours. This proposal is about making sure residents are better informed, impacts are better managed, and coordination improves moving forward.
Mayor’s Office of Reentry
Last week, I attended a City Council hearing on the first-year report from the Mayor’s Office of Reentry (MOR), which supports residents returning home after incarceration by coordinating programs that reduce barriers to housing, employment, and stability. In its first year, MOR launched Chicago’s first women-focused Community Reentry Support Center, partnered with the Department of Family and Support Services to strengthen accountability in city-funded programs, and invested $600,000 in mental health services through the Returning with Hope Microgrant program. Additional efforts included a reentry toy drive serving hundreds of families, a citywide policy survey of system-impacted residents, and a youth reentry guidebook to better support young people navigating the justice system.
Each year, thousands of Chicagoans return from incarceration. Thoughtful, coordinated reentry programs are essential to breaking cycles of repeat offenses and improving public safety. As the MOR enters its second year, it is focused on strengthening partnerships and building on this foundation to deliver stronger outcomes for justice-impacted residents and safer communities across Chicago. Read the full report here.
To close, I want to remind residents that our office will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents Day, and we will also not hold Saturday Office Hours tomorrow, Saturday, February 14th. We will re-open on Tuesday, February 16th at 9am.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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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 6 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 6 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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The Chicago Police Department has released its January In Review, summarizing department activity & citywide trends from the past month in 2026. The report shows declines in several major crime categories compared to January 2025, including shootings, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts, as well as information on firearm recoveries and recent enforcement efforts across the city. You can read the full report here.
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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
Our office 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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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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