32nd Ward Newsletter January 9, 2026 | | |
Dear John,
The shared sidewalk program sign up starts this Monday; this program generally fills up the same day - read more details below.
A reminder to not leave your Christmas trees in the alley as they present a fire hazard. We strongly encourage you to recycle your tree at one of many in the City (including Walsh Park and Clark Park) from January 3rd to January 17th. Please do not leave your trees in a way that blocks the park entrance when dropping off your trees. Also, not all parks are drop off points. Please don't leave Christmas trees at any park not on the list. Drop off broken Christmas lights at our office for recycling to help keep them out of the landfills.
And don't forget to support your favorite local bar to watch the Bears v. Packers game! This Saturday, the whole Midwest will probably tune into this game so get a seat early. Below is OEMC's public safety press release about the game. Bear down!
Read below for more events and opportunities. Our office is here to help on city services and issues as we step into the new year. We are located at 2657 N. Clybourn across the street from the Costco. Our hours are 9-6 Monday through Friday. We look forward to a great 2026 with you!
Have a good weekend,
Alderman Scott Waguespack
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DON'T MISS IT!
Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Details
It's almost that time of year again - the 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will be open for new applications on January 12th, 2025, from 6 am-10 pm.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. The program typically reaches capacity within the day - constituents are encouraged to apply through 311 (phone, online, or apps) early in the application window to secure a spot. You don't need to pay until after the sidewalk has been surveyed and a bill emailed/mailed to the constituent, typically during late spring or early summer. Repair occurs during summer or fall, with CDOT providing notification to any participants whose projects have to be carried over to the following year.
For more details on this program, please .
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January CAPS Meetings
14th Police District
1432- January 21, 6pm
Holstein Park
2200 N. Oakley
[email protected]
14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261
19th Police District (Note- some times and locations have changed)-
1921- January 21, 6pm
Police Auditorium
2452 W. Belmont
1922- January 21, 7pm
Police Auditorium
2452 W. Belmont
1931- January 27, 6pm
Boys and Girls Club
2915 N. Leavitt
1932- January 27, 7pm
Boys and Girls Club
2915 N. Leavitt
1933- January 13, 6pm
Illinois Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington
[email protected]
19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064
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Wrightwood Neighbors Association Meeting
Come Meet Aldermen Waguespack & Knudsen!
Come meet the Aldermen that represent our community! Alderman Knudsen (43rd) represents our community from Halsted to Racine, and Fullerton to Diversey & Alderman Waguespack (32nd) from Racine to Ashland, and Fullerton to Diversey.
This is a great opportunity to meet our elected officials, and hear about the work they're doing for us! We'll have some appetizers available.
When: Tuesday, 1/13, from 6:30pm-8pm
Where: New Life Church, 1110 W Lill
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Chicago Public Schools Local School Council (LSC) Elections
Applications Close Jan 20, 2026
If you're interested in becoming a candidate in the 2026 Local School Council (LSC) election and make a difference in your school community, you can still apply. Parents, community members, staff, and students who want to strengthen their school are encouraged to run.
Application period is now open, but the application period closes at 3:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026: All application materials must be submitted by the deadline to be nominated as a candidate. The election will take place on March 18, 2026.
Questions? Contact the Office of Local School Council Relations (OLSCR) at 773-553-1400 or [email protected].
| | Don’t let broken string lights tangle up your holidays – recycle them with us! Drop off your non-working holiday string lights between now and January 31 and Reduce Waste Chicago will take them to be properly recycled. Be sure your lights are separated from other decor and are free from other packaging (no plastic bags, please), then drop them off during our regular working hours. for more info. | | |
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, is hosting our annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program at 27 locations throughout the city.
Chicago residents are welcome to drop off their natural holiday trees inside the designated tree recycling corral at each location.
Please remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands, and plastic bags from your tree before placing it in the corral.
The holiday trees will be chipped to create mulch, which will be available to residents for FREE pick up at six of the locations starting Monday, January 5.
Thousands of trees are diverted from landfills each year and turned into tree mulch for residents and local parks. Over 22,000 trees were recycled in 2025. Let’s top that in 2026!
for more info and a list of locations.
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Vote By Mail!
You may now apply online to Vote By Mail for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election– !
To apply online, please enter your first and last name (no middle name), address (Street Direction and Street Name) and five number zip code to proceed. Please do not leave any spaces after the numerical value in the online form.
You will be asked to choose one Political Party ballot type for the upcoming election: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Non-Partisan (referenda only). Per Illinois Election Code, voters may only choose one ballot and cannot vote multiple Party ballots.
Prefer to always vote from the comfort of your own home? You may also apply online to join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster ahead of the next election – !
You may request to have your Vote By Mail ballot sent out of city or state, but not out of the country. Choose your best option for delivery in Step 3 of the Online Application. You may choose to receive your Vote By Mail ballot in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, or Tagalog in Step 4.
You may also choose to join the Accessible Vote By Mail Program in Step 3. This program allows voters with disabilities to access and mark their ballots through an online system and then print out their ballots and mail in those ballots. Please note: You will not receive a ballot in the mail. Voters with disabilities will access and mark their ballot electronically – this is not online voting.
When you apply online to Vote By Mail, the Board will send you emails:
- When your ballot is mailed to you,
- When the Board receives your Ballot Return Envelope, and
- When your ballot has been processed and counted.
The Board will tentatively start mailing ballots by Feb 5, 2026. All Vote By Mail ballots come with postage-paid Ballot Return Envelopes.
When you receive your Vote By Mail ballot, you may return it through standard US mail and must postmark it before or on Election Day, March 17, 2026. You may also submit the Ballot Return Envelope in a secured drop box at any Chicago Early Voting site before and on Election Day.
Questions? or call 312-269-7967 or email [email protected]
| | Sign Up to Be an Election Judge! | |
- You must be a US citizen and a registered voter in Cook County - and you can earn up to $230 for your service. Being bilingual is especially helpful.
- High School Juniors and Seniors can also apply. Do you know a student with a GPA above 3.0 and an interest in government? Let them know they can serve as an election judge and see how democracy works from behind the polling place curtain.
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You can go to or call 312-269-7984 to learn more and apply.
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Fletcher (Hoyne to Oakley) Water Main Project Update 1/9/26
Both Crews will be working on Lead Service Line Replacements on the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Fletcher. Residents of the specific addresses will be notified by the Water Department as to their date.
Water Service Interruptions:
No scheduled water main shutdown unless if there is any emergency. DWM will provide advance notice before any service interruptions.
Traffic & Parking Impacts:
No parking will be allowed within the active work zone during construction hours.
In addition to contacting our office with questions, residents can look for a crew member on the street wearing a white hard hat to have questions answered immediately.
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Choosing the right preschool is a big step, and Lincoln Park Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is here to make it easier for you. Join them on Saturday, January 24, at the Lincoln Park Branch Library, for a free, one-stop event to meet and learn about some of the best preschools in the neighborhood — all in one convenient place!
Saturday, January 24
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Lincoln Park Library Branch
1150 W. Fullerton
| | Vehicle Emissions Testing Program
New Mobile Unit | There is currently a Mobile Testing Unit for Illinois emissions tests located in the parking lot of the Jewel at 2550 N. Clybourn. It is located in the lot to the north of the store. to find out more information about mobile testing. | | Winter Wellness Event: Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce | | |
Get ready to move, connect, and have fun at the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce’s annual Winter Wellness event!
Thank you to and , for hosting this energetic evening. Explore local Chamber businesses while jumping into basketball, dodgeball, slides, swings, trampolines, and more.
Date: Monday, January 26
Time: 6–8 PM
• Complimentary wraps and smoothies from at 7 PM
• Open jumping available throughout the evening
Location:
Altitude Trampoline Park – Roscoe Village
3330 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Tickets: $15 (18 and under) | $30 (adults) and can be purchased .
Free parking available
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Chicago Bears v. Green Bay Packers Wild-Card Game on Saturday, January 10 at Soldier Field
Residents, visitors are reminded to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to 9-1-1
CHICAGO: The Chicago Bears will face the Green Bay Packers in post-season play on Saturday, January 10 at 7 p.m. at Soldier Field. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding motorists, residents and visitors to be aware of increased crowds and traffic in the area and to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.
OEMC will monitor events throughout the city and will coordinate resources as needed. The Chicago Police Department will have sufficient resources in place to protect all those in the area of Soldier Field and the Museum Campus. Motorists should plan extra time traveling with increased traffic around Grant Park and Soldier Field. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand to facilitate traffic. Public Transportation is encouraged.
Parking lots open at 3 p.m. and gates open at 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. start. For ride-shares (Uber/Lyft) standard Soldier Field transportation network provider restrictions apply 4 hours before the start of the game, continue through the game, and end 2 hours after the conclusion of the game. For complete details, visit .
Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity – especially in large gatherings. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.
Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Go
For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, .
Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety in Grant Park and Museum Campus attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the street poles throughout the area and along DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The pole markers help reference your location within the park to provide 9-1-1 Call Takers, Dispatchers and first responders with your location if there is an emergency.
Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download the Chicago OEMC app.
OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.
Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at
CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
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Alderman Scott Waguespack
2657 North Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-1330
[email protected]
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