32nd Ward Newsletter September 19, 2026

Dear John,

In this newsletter, I'm adding some information on the Chicago parking meters negotiation that could lead to the sale of the meters between CPM and Stonepeak that must be approved by the City Council. Negotiations led to significant changes in the deal for the first time ever and tapayers will be in a better position coming out of the negotiations. For more on one small piece of the story, and how we uncovered the worst deal in municipal history, see the Chicago Reader files.

There are quite a few block parties, Retro on Roscoe and more this weekend, so let's hope for less rain and we will see you out there!

Have a great weekend!

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Alders Dowell, Lee, Waguespack Announce Successful Negotiation of Revised Parking Meter Deal

​

Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell (3), Ald. Nicole Lee (11) and Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) announced on Tuesday that they have completed successful negotiations for a revised parking meter deal with Stonepeak Partners that includes numerous new benefits for the City of Chicago. In addition to Alders Dowell, Lee and Waguespack, Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett (27) and Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) also played a key role in negotiations, along with representatives from the City and special counsel for the City Council. 

The original deal to privatize the parking meters, passed in 2008, has been much maligned in the years since. I have called it the worst deal in the history of all municipal deals in the U.S. 
Stonepeak attempted to buy the City’s parking meters earlier this year, but the proposed deal stalled amid objections from alders. The Mayor also attempted to buy the meter system back without public notice, but also bid $850 million more than the next lowest bidder. That attempt at a purchase was also followed by months of a non-disclosure agreement that kept all details out of the public record and away from any oversight by the City Council while running out the clock on the sale deadline. Since then, a group convened by Chairwoman Dowell met with to seek a more amenable agreement. If the sale is not made by September 30th, Chicago Parking Meters could immediately force arbitration, and seek other legal measures that would likely end up with the the City being forced to approve the deal as it presently exists, and pay legal fees.

The terms of the agreement we negotiated include:

• Omni Sale: A commitment from buyer Stonepeak to sell Omni Air international, confirmed via a certified document, following federal approvals. Stonepeaks’ ownership of Omni sparked concern among the City Council earlier this year, given the long-time role Omni has played in Homeland Security/ICE operations that have severely impacted Chicago residents. 
• Transfer Fee: A transfer fee of $75 million to the City at the closing of the sale. Any future transfer will require that the City receive an additional transfer fee of 2 percent of the sale price. Any revenue from the current or any future transfer fee will be directed to the City’s pension liability.
• Profit Sharing: Profit sharing for the City equal to 5 percent of CPM’s net operating income annually. This is expected to yield $376.2 million for the City of Chicago over the course of the remainder of the agreement. That revenue will also be directed to the City’s pension liability.
• Future Transfer Procedure: A future transfer procedure that requires that in any future transfer of the asset, the Chief Financial Officer will have 30 days to review the approval request from CPM and submit a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will then have up to 90 days to consider the approval request and approve or disapprove the proposed transfer.
• Temporary Event Closure: A temporary event closure plan allowing that for seven annual events, the usual hourly threshold for closure payments from the City will be increased from six hours to 10 hours. If closure payments are due for any of these events, the payments will be made by the City from available settlement credits or, if credits are unavailable, from convenience fee or reserve meter revenue.
• EV Charging: CPM and the City will examine establishing certain non-metered blocks as potential electric-vehicle charging stations. Once such blocks are designated by the City, CPM will operate these blocks, and the revenue generated will be shared between the City and CPM.
• Enforcement Staff Protections: The Concession Agreement will include a section prescribing appropriate standards for treatment of the enforcement staff, both internally and in interactions with motorists.
• Chicago Residency: CPM will be required to ensure that at least 50 percent of its employees and the employees of LAZ working on the metered parking system are Chicago residents. CPM also will be required, in connection with its annual reports on this requirement, to specify the percentage of such City residents who are residing in socio-economically disadvantaged areas of the City (as identified under rules promulgated by the City's Department of Planning and Development pursuant to Section 2-92-390 of the Municipal Code).
• Data Sharing: CPM will be prohibited from sharing its information about users of the system with immigration enforcement authorities. 
• Meter Overpayment: CPM will be prohibited from collecting parking fees from motorists parking at metered spaces while such spaces are temporarily closed, or during time periods outside the hours of operation for such spaces.

In 2008, I was one of five who voted against the original deal, citing the infrastructure and management issues as well as providing the only alternative financial estimates that proved the deal was worth at least the $5 Billion we estimated in 2008. While I have been one of the loudest critics of the deal ever since it was passed, I have worked to find ways to lessen the financial burden the deal put on taxpayers of Chicago. I realize this always seemed to be an ironclad deal based on years of lawsuits, arbitration and settlements, but through our negotiations with the sellers and buyers, we were able to break it open and make significant changes. There is much more work to be done on the deal once the first part passes Council but I am certain that is absolutely the best pathway we could get, and I look forward to our hearings in the Finance Committee and the full City Council.

​

Media: 

​

• Deal Reached to Sell Chicago Parking Meters to Investment Firm, Alderpeople Say
• City Council Leaders Broker Compromise on Parking Meters, Focus of the Deal Chicagoans Love to Hate​
• Chicago Aldermen Say They've Reached New Parking Meter Deal, Including Profit Share
• Proposal Could Claw Back $451 Million From Infamous Chicago Parking Meter Deal
• Chicago could have a new meter deal - WGN Radio

COUNCIL UPDATES

• Competing renter landlord ordinance FAIR and PRO: While PRO passed a housing committee this week, the competing proposal, the FAIR ordinance, also passed the Zoning Committee on Thursday. Both could be heard at the city council but more likely will be deferred to have some compromise between sponsors. The FAIR ordinance focuses on creating more supply in rental properties to help bring rent costs down while PRO creates more bureaucracy and costs to taxpayers while possibly reducing the number of rental properties.

• On Monday, the Council Committee on Finance voted to pass a proposal requiring 30 votes for future City borrowing, rather than a simple majority. Alderman Quinn worked with the Budget Accountability Caucus to find ways to rein in the rampant spending on bonds over the past three years that has led to credit downgrades and lack of oversight over spending. This measure aligns with other cities as well as Springfield to set a higher bar for passing bond ordinances.

• The Ethics Committee passed stricter guidelines for candidates for city office that if passed by the full City Council require candidates to stand by their campaign advertisements, extend ethics requirements to certain Council contractors and not allow any city logo or official backgrounds to be used in any advertising.

• Another idea for an O'Hare speed train? - A new proposal called the O'Hare Flyer is in the works. Past ideas went through the City Council Committee on Transportation as this idea will so we are waiting to see the details of this proposal in the near future.

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 5, 6, and 7 (parts of West Lakeview and Hamlin Park). 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.

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

September CAPS Meetings

14th Police District

1432- September 23, 6pm

Holstein Park

2200 N. Oakley

[email protected]

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261



19th Police District

1931- September 22, 6:30pm 

Lathrop Advancement Center

2820 N. Leavitt

1932- September 24, 6:30pm 

Lincoln Park Library

1150 W. Fullerton

[email protected]

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

Beat 1921 (Belmont/River/Irving/Damen) and Beat 1922 (Belmont/Damen/Irving/Southport) Meeting Recap-

In beat 1921 in the past month long period there were twelve thefts, including two license plates, two bikes, and four packages. Always make sure to check that your license plate is there, as people who steal them use them on other cars to commit crimes.

There were five motor vehicle thefts, including one that resulted in an arrest- the vehicle was taken at Damen and Addison; it then hit on several license plate readers throughout the city, allowing it to be tracked to the southside where three people were taken into custody.

In beat 1922 over the past month, there were nineteen thefts, nine of which were shoplifting. One of the thefts was from a car where they got the garage door opener and then took 4 bikes from the garage. In one case, a gun was taken from a glovebox. There were eight burglaries, including an arrest in one where a person was arrested after taking items from a car.

There were several issues seen in both beats, including a number of road rage incidents and catalytic converter thefts. Deceptive practice scams continue in both as well, including a continuation of the funeral scam in the Addison and Ashland.  Never hand your phone over or use tap to pay to donate money to someone you don’t know. There were a number of phone scams, including one where a person was told he was being called by the Sheriff’s office and had to pay $1600 in bitcoin to get rid of a warrant. Please familiarize yourself with common scams and make sure your loved ones, especially the elderly, who are often targets, are aware of these scams as well. The police are looking into having someone from County Sheriff or States Atty’s office speak on scams at an upcoming CAPS meeting.

Issues brought up from audience included car break-ins on the 3500 block of Seeley- 911 was called, but no reports were made- if you personally are a victim of a crime, always make sure to make a police report so that if a person is arrested, they can be tied to the crime.

Police continue to monitor stop sign at Claremont and Roscoe.

One of the offenders in the Lakeview Goons case was sentenced to 10 hours of community service and 1 year of probation; two more are coming up for trial soon.

Our office and Ald. Martin’s office are sharing the cost for a new camera for Audubon to help with the recent issues there, including a dumpster fire in July.

This fall’s first community conversation has been scheduled for October 8 at Sultzer Library at 6pm. At these community conversations, residents can participate in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following year. Feedback provided by participants is used to develop community-driven crime reduction strategies, as well as community engagement priorities.

Bus Transit Updates

The CTA has added a few more bus routes to the Frequent Network. What is the Frequent Network? Frequent Network bus routes provide service every 10 minutes or better between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. You can read more about it here.

• #35 31st/35th: 40% more service weekdays, 65% more service weekends/holidays
• #74 Fullerton: 20% more service weekdays, 30% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays
• #85 Central: 30% more service weekdays, 40% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays

In addition, there have been some schedule changes on certain routes. Here are updates of ones that come through the 32nd Ward.

• #73 Armitage: Weekend service will be extended to 8:30 p.m. westbound and 7:30 p.m. eastbound on Saturdays and Sundays/holidays.
• #74 Fullerton: Taking transit after 9:00 p.m. on the weekends? No problem! Service is every 15 minutes until midnight on Saturdays and Sundays/holidays.
• #76 Diversey: Service will start at 7:40 a.m. eastbound and 7:45 a.m. westbound on Sundays/holidays. Service will end at 10:40 p.m. westbound and 9:48 p.m. eastbound on Saturdays and end at 9:06 p.m. westbound and 8:17 p.m. eastbound on Sundays/holidays. 

For more information about the Chicago Transit Authority & transit updates, click here.

OEMC Traffic Alerts

This weekend is PACKED with events - Chicago Bears, Riot Fest, and of course Retro on Roscoe. Below is info for expected traffic issues with several events close to the 32nd Ward.

Please be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on-site event security or by calling 9-1-1. You can also download the OEMC App.

Retro on Roscoe 

Friday, September 18, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

Street closures will be on Roscoe between Oakley and Damen, includes all north and south of Roscoe to the alleys

Race to Wrigley 5K 

Sunday, September 20, 8:00 a.m. 

Street closures in the area surrounding Wrigley Field will be in effect from approximately 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. See the course route here.

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts 

Saturday, September 19, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Closures will be on Broadway between Belmont and Hawthrone

Old Town Oktoberfest 

Friday, September 18, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

Map here.

Riot Fest 

Friday – Sunday, September 18 – 20, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park starting on Friday at noon.  

Full closures will be in effect at the following locations 

Now through Thursday, September 24 at 11:59pm 

• Sacramento Dr. from Ogden Ave. to 19th St.  
• Farrar Dr. from Ogden Ave. to 19th St.  

Now through Monday, September 21 at 11:59pm: 

• Farrar Dr. from 12th Pl. to Ogden Ave.  

Thursday, September 17 at 12:00am through Sunday, September 20 AT 11:59pm: 

• Marshall Blvd. from 19th St. to 21st St.  

Intermittent Closure – Local Access Only 

Friday, September 18 at 12am through Sunday, September 20 at 11:59pm: 

• 19th St. from California Ave. to Albany Ave.  

Other events that could affect your weekend traffic:

• Englewood Jazz Festival,Thursday, September 17, 5:30 p.m., Friday, September 18, 5:30 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 12:00 p.m. 
• Magnificent Mile Art Festival,Saturday – Sunday, September 19 – 20 
•  Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears, Sunday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. 
• The Big Jump, Friday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. 
• Chicago River Swim, Sunday, September 20, 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 
•  Ready to Run 20 Miler, Sunday, September 20, 6:30 a.m. 
•  Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox,Thursday, September 17, 6:40 p.m., Friday September 18, 6:40 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 6:10 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 1:10 p.m. 

Get ready to time-travel at Retro on Roscoe, one of Chicago’s most beloved street festivals, happening September 18–20 in Roscoe Village. This throwback extravaganza is packed with live music, a classic car show, vintage shopping, and old-school fun for all ages.

Stroll down Roscoe Street and soak in the nostalgic vibes, from decades-spanning hits on multiple stages to rows of rare and restored classic cars gleaming in the sun. Indulge in delicious eats from top local vendors, sip on craft beer, and let the kids enjoy family-friendly games and activities in the dedicated children’s area.

Whether you’re a rock ’n’ roll fanatic, a vintage lover or just here for the good times, Retro on Roscoe, is your ticket to a fun-filled weekend of music, memories and retro magic

Second installment property tax bills are now available and must be paid to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office by Thursday, October 1, 2026. Homeowners should check the lower-left corner of their bill to make sure all eligible exemptions are included, such as the Homeowner and Senior Exemptions. If an exemption is missing, you may apply for a Certificate of Error through the Cook County Assessor’s Office to correct the bill and receive the savings you qualify for.

LAST CHANCE!! DIAPER DRIVE!

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.

Annual Bloomingdale Trail Run

Registration is now open for the annual Bloomingdale Trail Run on Saturday, September 26. This is a fun, family-friendly event with a timed 5k and 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile dashes for young runners. Click here to register.

Bucktown Apple Pie Contest

Join us for the annual Bucktown tradition by participating in the apple pie contest. Bake 2 identical apple pies. You will select one to be graded by our esteemed panel of judges. Not a baker? No problem! Pie slices are $5 each, so you can participate this way too. There will also be a whipped cream pie eating contest for kids 12 and under. Click here for more details.

Sunday, September 27, 3-6pm

Leavitt Street Tavern, 2345 N. Leavitt

Sustainability Market 2026

Bring your unwanted items for reuse, repurposing, or specialty recycling. Click here for more information including items being collected.

Sunday, September 27, 2026

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcenter Town Square

4100 N. Damen Ave.

Holstein Park

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, Oct 3, 2026

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley

Celebrate the season with a perfect afternoon in the park at this family-friendly event. At the Chicago Park District’s Pumpkin Patches and Harvest Fests, everyone will enjoy a fun-filled day. Click here for more info.

Lakeview and Roscoe Village

Shop for Schools Fundraiser

Come support your school by shopping at your favorite stores! 20+ participating retailers will donate 15% of pre-tax sales during normal business hours on Oct. 6-8. The Chamber will donate additional funds to each of the FIVE top-earning schools! Tell your friends and family to get out there and shop! Click here for more information including participating businesses and schools.

Each spring and fall, about five million birds (of 250 bird species) migrate through Chicago. These birds are often attracted to building lights and lighted glass areas, sometimes with fatal outcomes. While lights can distract birds from their migration paths, bird fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy they waste flying around and calling out in confusion. The exhaustion can leave them vulnerable to other urban threats.

Good light reduction practices significantly lower fatalities. Multi-story buildings can save many birds by turning off decorative lighting from 11 PM until daylight each day from March 15 to June 15 for spring migration, and again from August 15 to November 15 for fall migration. Tenants are also encouraged to turn off lights or draw blinds during these periods.

What You Can Do to Help

• Turn off exterior decorative lighting, including lights on antennas, logos, clocks, and other displays or illuminations.

• Use timers effectively to ensure light is only used when needed.

• Install motion-sensitive lighting.

• Use lower-intensity lighting where possible.

• In outside public areas where light is needed for public safety, avoid “light trespass” by using light fixtures that direct the light down where it is needed, instead of horizontally and/or upward.

• Use desk lamps or task lighting for security desks/work stations rather than overhead lights.

• Use “zone capable” interior lighting systems that allow selected rather than all areas of an interior space to be illuminated.

• Draw curtains or blinds to reduce any light escaping.

Click here for more information on the Lights Out program.

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce

Presents: Storefront Improvement Webinar Series -

New Starting Date!

Your storefront is the first impression a passerby forms before making a decision to enter or keep walking. How is your storefront at grabbing attention, and what kind of statement does it make? This 3-part webinar series is presented by Retailworks, Inc., an award-winning commercial interior design, display, branding, and consulting firm.

If you registered for the original start date you are automatically enrolled for the new date


Register Below:


9/29 - Storefront Design Pt. 1

10/13 - Storefront Design Pt. 2

11/10 - Quick Holiday Decor Tips

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

City News

• City Council Leaders Broker Compromise on Parking Meters, Focus of the Deal Chicagoans Love to Hate
• Chicago Aldermen Say They've Reached New Parking Meter Deal, Including Profit Share
• Deal Reached to Sell Chicago Parking Meters to Investment Firm, Alderpeople Say
• Chicago Makes Second Half of Supplemental Pension Payment
• Automated Ticketing for Bike, Bus Lane Blockers Should Be Expanded Citywide, Alders Say
• Rival Renters’ Rights Ordinance Advances, Setting Up City Council Showdown
• ‘Fair’ Ordinance Passes City Council Committee Following ‘Pro’ Vote
• City Council Committee Backs Raising Threshold for Taking on Debt
• Some City Council Members Seek to Delay Selection of New Chicago Police Superintendent Until After Mayoral Election
• Johnson Drops Relocation Payments for Tenants From Renters Bill as Rival Proposal Gains Steam
• 28 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Story Fest, Chicago Live, Riot Fest and More

Alderman Scott Waguespack

2657 North Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-1330

[email protected]