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Back in the Office (and Baby Fio Update!)

Daniel La Spata Ward 1 📞 872-206-2685 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 4/10
zoning_or_development_meeting_or_approval city_budget

Summary

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter (May 5, 2026), he says he met on matters including new grocery store developments, and appeared at the Committee on Housing and Real Estate to discuss state and federal policy impacts—especially rising home insurance rates. He also noted that tomorrow’s first Zoning Committee meeting in months will include nearly 80 zoning items. Other announcements include the 1st Ward Office’s annual Clean & Green on May 16 and community survey/event links related to the first fully elected school board race, West Town library programming, and Hot Shots Sports summer activities.

Back in the Office (and Baby Fio Update!)

1st Ward Newsletter | May 5, 2026

Hello neighbors!

I’m officially back in the office, in Council Chambers, and at my computer! My great thanks for the wonderful 1st Ward staff for holding down the ship in my stead and for all of your patience and grace as I took time to support my wife, our older daughter, and our new baby Fio (short for Fiorenza). She’s in the 95th percentile for height (!!!), a much better sleeper than her big sister was, and a great smiler :)

I jumped right back in the deep end yesterday morning with meetings concerning very new grocery stores and very old theaters, making sure progress is being made on all fronts. I then made it down to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate where we discussed state and federal legislation that could impact Chicago, particularly on skyrocketing home insurance rates. Tomorrow is our first Zoning Committee in months, with nearly eighty items on the agenda!

It’s hard to walk away from a smiling baby on a play mat in the morning, but I always remember that the work I’m leaving for (park improvements, accessibility and infrastructure legislation, water and housing affordability, and more) will make the city more beautiful, more safe, and more stable for her and the tens of thousands of others I endeavor to serve.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,
Alderman La Spata
P.S. Click here to open this newsletter in another tab!

In this week's newsletter, you'll find:

1st Ward Office
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. 
Sign Up Here!

Community News & Events
Chicago parents and voters will vote for first-ever fully elected school board this fall. Tell WBEZ what issues are affecting you and your family, and what questions you have for the candidates. Your answers will inform their candidate questionnaire and school board voter guide. Take the survey at wbez.org/survey! 
Check out the West Town library's May event offerings here!
Hot Shots Sports is back at Wicker Park for summer programming! Programs across different sports are available for children between the ages of two and 12. Learn more and register here. 
The Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Workgroup of the Every Child Ready Chicago (ECRC) has launched a survey for Chicago parents and caregivers. We're looking to understand their needs, preferences, and the challenges they face in accessing early childhood information and resources. Learn more about ECRC and take the survey here.

1ST WARD ALDERMANIC OFFICE

LOCATION: 1958 N Milwaukee Avenue

HOURS: 10 AM - 6 PM, Monday - Friday

PHONE: 872-206-2685

REQUESTS: [email protected]

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