1st Ward Newsletter | May 12, 2026
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Hi neighbors,
It was great seeing so many of you at the ribbon cutting for the new athletic field and playground at Goethe Elementary this past week, one of several projects we've funded through Open Space Impact Fee and participatory budgeting infrastructure funds over the past several years. Congratulations to all of the Goethe students as well for meeting and exceeding the fundraising goal of your fun run! Looking forward to seeing you and all of your neighbors this Saturday morning for our ward wide Clean & Green. We'll be meeting at Haas Park, the Polish Triangle, and our ward office at 1958 N. Milwaukee starting at 10:00 a.m. It's always rewarding to meet neighbors and actively make our communities more beautiful together. I'll see you then!
The Chicago Department of Transportation has also finally released independent analysis of protected bike lane corridors across the city, looking at a variety of safety, economic, and social data. Contrary to some narratives, property values, employment, and sales tax receipts all increased along Milwaukee Avenue after the installation of protected bike lanes, while traffic crashes and crash-related costs all significantly declined. These results are not unique to Milwaukee Avenue: protected bike lane corridors across the city are thriving because of, and not in spite of, new safe infrastructure. While it also includes constructive feedback we can work on long term concerning street configuration, it helps combat the demonstrably false narrative that Complete Streets projects are bad for business.
Finally, today I'll be in the Committee on Workforce Development to advocate for a resolution my office co-wrote with Chicago musicians calling for passage of the H.R. 5664 Living Wage for Musicians Act. Creative cultural work benefits all of us, but musicians are barely compensated in today's streaming economy. The Living Wage for Musicians Act–co-sponsored by Logan Square's own Rep. Delia Ramirez–would ensure a minimum one cent per stream for all musicians. This doesn't sound like much, but that's thirty-three times more than the current average compensation per stream. My thanks to Julian Pujols Quall and Alex Neuser for bringing this legislation to my attention, and to the innumerable musicians who would benefit from its passage.
See you on Saturday! Sign up here!
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Alderman La Spata
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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Join the 1st Ward Office for our annual Clean & Green on Saturday, May 16! Rakes, shovels, garbage bags, and latex gloves will be provided, and all ages are welcome to participate. This year’s starting points will be: The 1st Ward Office, Haas Park, and the Polish Triangle. Please register in advance so that we know how many tools to provide at each location.
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Yoga in the Park has been rescheduled for Friday, June 12! Please join Ald. La Spata, Intuit Healing, and LoSAH Center of Hope at Maplewood Park for an afternoon of yoga! This event will encourage community members to take a break, relax, and recharge through yoga and guided meditation. Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. No registration required.
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Raise a glass for a great cause at A Just Brew, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago's AAPI Heritage Month happy hour fundraiser on Thursday, May 21 from 6–9 p.m. at Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square.
Enjoy craft brews, light bites, raffle prizes, psychic readings, and community connection while supporting grassroots organizing for racial equity across Chicago. Tickets start at $10, with raffle bundles and limited-edition Advancing Justice hats available at select tiers. Learn more and get your tickets here!
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Camp Courage is back! This year, the free program will expand to seven sites across Chicago, serving participants ages 13–18. Camp Courage provides youth with hands-on training in emergency preparedness, lifesaving skills, and career exploration in public safety. Apply here.
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Miles for Migraine will host its 11th annual 2-mile walk, 5K run, and Relax Illinois event on Saturday June 6th at Diversey Park. This event is a fundraiser for migraine & headache awareness, treatment & research. The walk and relax portion of the event are free, and the early bird registration rate for the 5k ($12) ends this Thursday, May 14. Interested residents can learn more here!
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The Department of Environment is hosting a Community Conversation on Data Centers next Tuesday, May 19. This event will take place at the Arturo Velasquez Institute from 6–8 p.m. Register here.
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Chicago Avenue Business Rezoning
Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from neighbors and community groups, Ald. La Spata formally submitted to the Department of Planning and Development a request to rezone B1 (Neighborhood Shopping District) properties along Chicago Ave between Ashland Ave and Wood St to B3 (Community Shopping District) zoning. B3 zoning makes it easier to allow "general restaurant" uses, which are restaurant uses with incidental liquor; it also allows tavern uses via Special Use Permit, which requires Zoning Board of Appeals review. 1st Ward Office will provide updates as they are available.
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Recent Negative Policy Recommendations
Neighbors have requested more information on negative policy recommendations regarding the demolition of existing multi-unit residences, because the 1st Ward Office is receiving more demolition upzone requests. When Ald. La Spata and the 1st Ward Office recommend against demolishing existing buildings, it is more likely that a rehabilitation purchase will maintain the existing multi-unit housing (like 2423 W McLean; see below). The typical demolition of multi-unit housing makes housing more expensive by not expanding density, and requiring land acquisition ($450,000 - $550,000) and new construction costs (typically $800,000 to $1,200,000 for a 3 flat) plus profit ($ unknown). These costs typically make housing substantially more expensive without increasing density.
- VIABLE ALTERNATIVE EXISTS – 1437 W Augusta: A potential contract purchaser reached out with a speculative inquiry to demolish the existing multi-unit residence, to upzone for a three unit residence. Tax records suggest that the existing building is an existing non-conforming three-flat so a zoning change for a three flat would not increase density; moreover, the property is within the Additional Dwelling Unit area, so additional density could potentially be achieved without a zoning change (pending a full zoning analysis of the property). Ald. La Spata and the 1st Ward Office recommend against demolishing multi-unit housing, and encourage the rehabilitation of multi-unit housing. (received May 2026)
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New Zoning Inquiries
Recently, the 1st Ward Office received the following zoning inquiries:
- 2423 W McLean (New inquiry): A potential purchaser reached out regarding zoning options to rehabilitate and add a small rear addition to an existing multi-unit residence. 1st Ward Office provided basic zoning information, and also provided intake packet for a zoning change to collect more information in the event that no administrative remedies are available. (received April 2026)
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