32nd Ward Newsletter August 14, 2026

32nd Ward Newsletter August 14, 2026

Dear John,

I hope you are having a nice Friday. There's a lot happening in our neighborhoods and City this weekend, and I've added a few updates below on some other issues. Some ward related news section items below include a story about one of the beautiful gardens you see from the 606, Vienna still making sausage, and Army Navy still surplusing after 80 years.


Our annual shredding event will be held next Friday, August 21 in the Menards parking lot next to our office. This year, they've added electronics recycling too! You can also bring your out of date prescription pills to be recycled by the Cook County Sheriff's office and MWRD Commissioner Garcia's office will be raffling off a rain barrel. Please see the flyer below for more information. Hope to see you there!

Governor JB Pritzker signed a flood relief program into law, giving southwest side neighbors a rebate relief tool to eligible households. Our City Council budget coalition worked together to advocate for a way to alleviate some of the damage caused by the severe storms that wiped out many homes in the 2025 flood disasters. When FEMA funds were denied, the state and aldermen affected by the consistent flooding, including my colleagues Marty Quinn and Michele Harris, worked with us to find a different way to help those homeowners through collaboration with the Governor and General Assembly.

Book Swap at the Bucktown-Wicker Park Library this SUNDAY! Do you want to get rid of a few books, or are you looking for your next great read? Stop by the Bucktown Book Swap. Bring one or more used books (up to 1 bag), and then take as many books as you'd like. Click here for more info. Sunday, August 16th from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at 1701 N. Milwaukee

The Cabinet of Curiosity event at the Bloomingdale Trail-Park 567 was a great event for the community, bringing hundreds of neighbors together for an interesting interactive art show and musical experience. I was happy to support the event while enjoying the expressions of art that were really fantastic and family friendly. Thanks to local sponsors Night Ministry, Irazu, Chicago Park District, Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, Zen Garage, Uprise Skate Shop, Michael Zerang and Caroline Jesalva, and many more.

We are once again supporting the Share our Spare diaper drive. In the past many of you donated funds or diapers to help families in need, and we hope you can help once again. See below for details.

The Air and Water Show is this weekend! The Thunderbirds and other flights are already prepping for the weekend. The show starts Saturday at 10:30 through 3:30 and the same for Sunday. All the info you need on the show is available here.

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Alderman Scott Waguespack



We Love Dogs, But They Need to Be Leashed

Our office regularly receives calls about unleashed dogs in dog parks and schools. We'd like to gently remind you to leash your dogs and that dogs are not allowed in school play areas. It is the law that dogs are leashed in public and citations can be issued. It's a health and safety issue!

There are dog friendly areas in designated sections within Chicago parks or beaches, where dogs are allowed to run and play off-leash, the only areas in the city where this is allowed. Many of these sites provide features such as doggie drinking fountains, separate areas for shy dogs, dog owner bulletin boards, trash receptacles, and extra doggie bags. Locate a dog friendly area near you by clicking here.

It's important to leash your dogs not only for the safety and comfort of other patrons, but also the safety of the dogs. We all believe our dogs are the most wonderful fuzzy friend and so friendly, but that may not be true with the wrong combination of furry friends or someone whose dog isn't as well behaved. It's important to be able to grab your dog quickly if anything goes awry.

August CAPS Meetings

14th Police District

1433- August 18, 6pm

Pulaski Park

1419 W. Blackhawk

1434- August 26, 6pm

Bucktown/Wicker Park Library

1701 N. Milwaukee

[email protected]

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261



19th Police District-

1921- August 19, 6:30pm

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1922- August 19, 6:30pm

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1931- August 25, 6:30pm

Lathrop Advancement Center

2820 N. Leavitt

1932- August 27, 6:30pm

Lincoln Belmont Library

1150 W. Fullerton

[email protected]

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

2026 Street Cleaning Schedule

Street cleaning season is in full swing. 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 13, 14, and 15 (parts of Lincoln Park and Bucktown). 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. Many of our clogged drains are covered in bottles, plastic bags, and heavy landscaping debris that prevents good drainage. Removing plastics from the curbs and drains also helps keep our Chicago River and Lake Michigan free of the debris. Data from the Friends of the Chicago River shows that about 85% of litter in the Chicago-Calumet River system is plastic, with nearly 93% of local fish ingesting microplastics.

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

32nd Ward Supports Share Our Spare

Help Us Uplift Families in Need!

Our office is once again proud to partner with Share Our Spare to host a diaper drive from now through September 20, 2026. The drive helps ensure that all Chicago area kids have access to a sufficient supply of clean diapers. The facts about diaper need in Chicago are sobering:

• The National Diaper Bank Network Diaper Check 2023 survey found that 1 in 2 U.S. families with young children experience diaper need – a dramatic increase from the 1 in 3 figure from last year.
• Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry, and healthy.
• 35% of caregivers reported cutting back on food and 28% reported skipping meals to afford diapers for their children.
• Diaper need is a public health crisis! It is associated with physical, emotional, and economic harm to children and families.

Share Our Spare is on track to distribute more than 2 MILLION diapers! In order to reach this goal, they need our help to ensure they have enough diapers to meet the needs of the children they serve.

We invite you to help Share Our Spare collect one month of community sponsored diapers for the 2,000 children they provide for monthly. We will coordinate deliveries to Share our Spare. 

You can support this drive three ways!

• Purchasing diapers here!
• Bringing packages of size 3 and up diapers and/or wipes to our office at 2657 N Clybourn. Open packages of diapers are accepted!
• Making a monetary donation here to help Share Our Spare purchase diapers at cost.

Cabinet of Curiosity Event



Cabinet of Curiosity has a long-standing history of creating thoughtful, inclusive public rituals and celebrations throughout Chicago. Their work brings together diverse communities, fosters connection and hope, and provides meaningful paid employment opportunities for artists and cultural workers. Thanks to Frank Maugeri and his team of artists for providing a great afternoon and evening for all this past week.

$5 Membership for Qualifying Low

Income Residents!

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) aims to offer all residents an affordable, accessible and fun transportation option. D4E provides a $5 Annual Membership to qualifying residents. The program also incorporates a cash payment system for those individuals who do not have debit, credit card, or prepaid card required for a standard Divvy membership.

Apply here to see if you qualify!

Chicago Air and Water Show

The Chicago Air and Water Show returns Saturday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 16, with a rehearsal on Friday, Aug. 14, as part of the nationwide celebration of America250. As one of the nation's largest free admission air and water exhibitions, the event draws hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to Chicago's lakefront each year. Whether you plan to attend or live, work, or visit nearby, here's what to know before the show.

Key Dates and Times 

• Friday, Aug. 14 Air and Water Show rehearsal: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Saturday, Aug. 15 Chicago Air and Water Show: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Sunday, Aug. 16 Chicago Air and Water Show: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Viewing Area

Chicago's lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as the show center.

Planning to Attend? Know Before You Go.

• Admission is free.

• Arrive early, especially if planning to watch from North Avenue Beach. Large crowds should be expected throughout the weekend.

• Consider taking CTA or other public transportation to reduce traffic and parking challenges.   

• Stay hydrated and prepare for warm summer weather.

• Pets are not permitted on Chicago swimming beaches, except for service animals. 

For the latest event information, schedules, and updates, click here.

The Bucktown Arts Fest is coming up at the end of this month. A fest by the community, for the community – all proceeds from the volunteer-run Bucktown Arts Fest go to fund, develop, and support arts and education programming at Holstein Park and in local Bucktown/Wicker Park classrooms. 

Click flyer above for more information and to register.

Registration for Bike the Drive is Now Open!

Bike the Drive is Active Transportation Alliance's largest fundraiser and your once-a-year opportunity to ride your bicycle (or skate) on Dusable Lake Shore Drive! This year, it's on Sept. 6th with the lanes opening at 6:30 am. The earlier your register, the more you save!

Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicagoland. You can register, check out the route, and make note of where you can start by going to bikethedrive.org. SEE YOU THERE!

Jewish Free Loan Chicago provides zero-interest personal loans of up to $7,500 to Chicagoland residents, regardless of faith. The loans can help with expenses such as medical bills, car or home repairs, moving costs, childcare, and other unexpected financial needs.

Last 2026 Chicago Business Resource Expo! Aug. 29

REGISTER HERE!

Additional City Resources for You & Your Family


These services are provided free of charge to all Chicagoans.



Family & Maternal Health

CDPH WIC Clinics

Pregnant Or Recently Had A Baby?

Healthy Children, Let’s Prevent Lead Poisoning


Preventive Care & Clinics

Need a Vaccine? Immunization Clinics

Free Prostate or Breast Cancer Screening During Birthday Month

Mental Health & Wellness

Mental Health Clinics

Healing Arts Chicago


Environmental & Lifestyle Health

Check Air Quality Near You

Quit Smoking

Community & Other Services

More Services: chicago.gov/health

See a Problem on Your Block? Call 311.

311 is Chicago’s non-emergency service line. It connects you to City services for issues that affect your block, your home, or your health.

By Phone: Dial 3-1-1 from any phone in Chicago.

Online: Visit the official 311 portal

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Alderman Scott Waguespack

2657 North Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-1330

[email protected]