1st Ward Newsletter | September 15, 2026
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Hi neighbors,
The 1st Ward is full of incredible neighborhood schools. I'm proud to be in week four of my daughter's Pre-K experience over at Chase Elementary, which had a wonderful block party/fundraiser last Friday. Which got me thinking: how can we share more opportunities to engage with your local schools, whether you're a parent or not. We reached out to our principals and here's what we got!
Sabin Dual Language Magnet School invites you this Thursday, September 17th from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for an open house! Whether you're a current Sabin family or considering enrolling, come meet their teachers, learn their school's story, and see what makes Sabin special! You can email Ms. Roldan at [email protected] for details.
Goethe Elementary's Goethe Fest is back on Friday, September 18th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Great food, drinks, games, and prizes galore! I can guarantee Friends of Goethe School KNOW how to throw a party! Find out more and get your fest pass here!
A.N. Pritzker Elementary and Friends of Pritkzer invite you to their 6th Annual Back to School Bash on October 3rd from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m (sign up here to volunteer). Folks, I've been going since before I had kids and it's always been a blast! Great DJ! Fantastic food and games! Inflatable obstacle courses? Now, I'm intrigued! See you there :)
La Salle II is getting ready for their annual Track-A-Thon and they need your help! Those kids are fast runners (and dancers, skippers, movers) and they're trying to raise $25,000 to improve their lunchroom space. I'm sure all of us can remember our cafeteria days and relate! Learn more about their fundraiser and hopefully donate here.
Finally, Otis Elementary is partnering with Malcolm X College for free ESL classes. Classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 24th to December 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All you need to do is come on the first day to register!
This isn't an exhaustive list and with twelve CPS schools and several more parochial and charters I'm sure we'll have much to highlight over the coming year. Our schools succeed when we're ALL a part of their success. Let's do it!
Sincerely,
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Alderman La Spata
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1st Ward Office Remote Hours
1st Ward staff will be working remotely on Wednesday, September 23 due to a planned ComEd outage. Please submit any constituent service requests or concerns via our online request form.
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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The next Meet Me on Milwaukee event is just under two weeks away! We're seeking volunteers to sign-up for 3-hour shifts on each event day. Volunteers will be responsible for setting up barricades, guarding intersections, redirecting drivers, providing information to attendees, disposing of litter, and more. Volunteers will also receive a free shirt. Register below!
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Join Ald. La Spata and City Clerk Anna Valencia for a CityKey printing event. The Chicago CityKey is an optional, valid, government-issued ID card available to Chicago residents for free! Additionally, you can use it as a Chicago Public Library card, a CTA Ventra card and a Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card.
This event is by appointment only. Make your appointment here! Learn more about the documents you will need to apply for your CityKey at bit.ly/Apply_CK.
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The 12th District Council is hosting its monthly meeting tonight, 6:30 p.m., at Eckhart Park. Register here.
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Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon's office is launching a new Help Desk this Thursday. The Help Desk, in partnership with Legal Aid Chicago, will provide residents with free, one-on-one legal assistance to help them better understand the tax redemption process and their legal options at no cost.
Services will be offered by appointment (and a limited number of walk-in appointments) on the third Thursday of each month in the Clerk's Real Estate and Tax Services Department (118 N. Clark St, Room 434). To complete the screening process and make an appointment, email [email protected].
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Chicago Animal Care and Control is participating in Bissell Pet Foundation's national Empty the Shelters adoption event taking place September 18-30. Learn more here!
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Wicker Park Tree Appreciation Day
Join the Wicker Park Garden Club for Tree Appreciation Day this Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wicker Park! Learn about common trees found in our parks, how to identify them, and more! Your participation will help with Wicker Park's ongoing effort to become a Level 1 Arboretum Accreditation Project.
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1st Ward First Looks
The 1st Ward Office hosted a 1st Ward First Look for the former Milshire Hotel on September 14, 2026. By the end of the week, the video will be available on the 1st Ward Video Archive. Updated plans and feedback form will be available on the zoning website.
There are several potential development proposals for which the 1st Ward Office is awaiting intake packets. The next potential First Look dates would be October 5 or October 19 (or both) depending on timely submittals.
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Community Review Update
- 2455 N California: Following community feedback, the 1st Ward Office received an updated concept that adds an "additional dwelling unit" (basement unit) for a proposed zoning map amendment at 2455 North California. This increases density from 2 proposed dwelling units to 3 dwelling units. The 1st Ward Office is reviewing potential next steps for community review with Ald. La Spata.
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New Zoning Inquiries
- 1551 W Division: A potential contract purchaser reached out about zoning options for a former commercial space. The 1st Ward discussed mixed use and residential proposals on the site, and provided a developer's intake packet. The 1st Ward Office awaits further details.
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