Dear Neighbors,
I want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the many neighbors who stopped by mobile office hours at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market last Saturday to sign our Letter Advocating for Increased Safety on Lincoln Avenue. In just 2 weeks, we collected more than 800 hand signatures to the letter — a remarkable show of how seriously this community takes public safety on Lincoln Avenue and throughout the 43rd Ward.
As a reminder, “The Dime” was ordered closed under a Summary Closure Order following the fatal shooting of Malik McCorkle (read more in our earlier newsletter) and the continued public safety risk it presents. That closure will last 6 months during a hearing period; therefore, my office filed the formal letter asking the City’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, and Liquor Commissioner, to fully revoke the business’s liquor and amusement license, backed by years of advocacy from our office and neighbors.
Affordable & Accessible Housing Development Meeting Recap
This Wednesday my office hosted a community meeting for a proposed zoning change at 754 W Beldent to permit construction of an all-brick building with 30 affordable and accessible housing units for people with physical disabilities. We had a great turnout with over 40 attendees, which included adjacent neighbors and tenants of the current building on the lot. For those who were not able to attend in person, you can view the full presentation here. We will continue to gather community input over the next two weeks, so please email us any questions or feedback regarding the proposal.
America 250 Town Hall at DePaul University
Back in May, I passed an honorary resolution with former 44th Ward Alderman Dick Simpson celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary and recognizing Illinois’ unique role in the American story. As we celebrate this history, we have the opportunity to set the direction of our city for the next many years. In that spirit, join DePaul University and your neighbors on Wednesday, August 19th, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. for an event hosted by America 250 Illinois. Neighbors will meet at DePaul’s Cortelyou Commons for a free community workshop which will give residents the chance to share priorities and help build a vision for Chicago for decades to come.
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Evening on Astor Returns Sept. 9th
The Gold Coast Neighbors Association’s Evening on Astor returns on Wednesday, September 9th, from 5:30–9:00 p.m., transforming Astor Street between Goethe and Banks for what has become known as the “world’s most elegant block party.” More than 1,000 Chicagoans (representing many neighborhoods) are expected to come together for an evening of live music, food trucks, and creative tables designed by neighbors. I am proud to be one of the sponsors of the event, which serves as a fundraiser supporting GCNA’s work throughout the Gold Coast. I also had the pleasure of walking with Gold Coast neighbors this week discussing public safety and infrastructure - the rain couldn’t stop a great crew!
Air & Water Show Returns
The Chicago Air & Water Show returns to the lakefront this weekend, with performances on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The show is free and can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach acting as a central focal point. As a longstanding Chicago tradition, the Air & Water Show attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the lakefront each year. If you’re heading out this weekend, please plan ahead for significantly increased vehicle, bike, and pedestrian traffic throughout the 43rd Ward, particularly around Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach, and our lakefront entrances.
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Finally, join our Block Heroes this Monday, August 17, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. for a Lakefront Clean-Up, meeting at the Fullerton lakefront trail near Theater on the Lake. We’ll provide all the cleanup supplies, so just bring yourself and help us keep our lakefront clean!
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Save the Date! Chicago Exhibition Week returns September 14–20, bringing together more than 50 galleries and creative spaces for a week celebrating Chicago’s arts community. We’ll have more to share in the coming weeks about participating galleries, events, and opportunities right here in the 43rd Ward!
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Alderman Knudsen with Dimmi Dimmi owner, Dan, celebrating one year at 1112 W Armitage
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Alderman Knudsen with neighbors for our Infrastructure Ward Walk on Monday evening with Sheffield Neighbors (SNA) and RANCH
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It was our honor to nominate Sergeant Christopher M. Schenk for the annual passing of the baton ceremony, a ceremony most famously performed in mid-air and on-site by the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and highlights the tradition of handing off excellence to local honorees. With nearly thirty years of law enforcement service, Sgt. Schenk has built his career around leadership, officer mentorship, and community partnership. In his current role as Sergeant in the 18th District Community Policing Office, he oversees a series of programs that promote public safety, crime prevention, and community engagement across 5 Wards. Thank you Sergeant!
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Modernizing The 43rd Ward Office
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Last month, our office was proud to be highlighted nationally in a new Indigov and Granicus case study recognizing the 43rd Ward as a model for tech-forward constituent services & responsive local government. The report highlights how our office integrates Chicago’s 311 system directly into our internal workflow, allowing us to respond faster, track issues more efficiently, and proactively communicate with residents. I’m incredibly proud of our small but mighty team for continuing to help set a new standard for modern local government as we believe local government should be as responsive, transparent, and modern as the people it serves. I encourage you to check out the full report here.
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ADU Ordinance Now in Effect
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As of April 1, the City’s ordinance to legalize Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), is officially in effect. Expanding access to ADUs is an important step toward addressing Chicago’s housing shortage and creating more flexible, affordable living options in our neighborhoods. If you have ever considered adding an ADU, whether to create additional income or keep family members close, now is a great time to explore your options. You can enter basic information about your property to see how many units you may be eligible for and learn how to get started. The site also includes an interactive map that allows you to look up eligibility by address. I was proud to support this effort, and I encourage you to learn more, share this opportunity with neighbors, and explore how this program can help expand housing options.
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MWRD issues Overflow Action Alert
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Crime, and safety remain top of mind for our community. Each week, the 18th and 19th District post Compstat numbers that reflect changes in indexes for key crimes. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th & 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.
For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Week 32 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 32 Compstat.
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We work closely with the 43rd Ward’s local CAPS districts, which include the 18th (Near North) and 19th (Town Hall) Police Districts. Our office is in frequent contact with officers from both of these districts and their local CAPS officers, who host a variety of community forums and events including beat meetings, informational settings, and expert panel discussions, as well as sending out community alerts when a pattern of crime is detected.
Beat Meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy and an excellent way to hear directly from CPD about your neighborhood. Meetings are held in the evenings every two months. Click here and find out your Police District and Beat number, and click here for a larger and printable version of the graphic.
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Summer safety strategies along our beach front are in full swing and I remain in constant communication with our 18th and 19th Chicago Police District (CPD) commanders advocating for heightened safety measures. As many more neighbors and Chicagoans take to the beaches to enjoy the warmer weather, CPD has confirmed the following actions:
Thank you to our police officers and our ward’s CPD leadership for keeping our beaches and lakefront safe. Through strong communication, partnership, and the above actions, the 43rd Ward will continue to be a welcoming and safe place to enjoy the summer season. Also, every summer I like to refamiliarize myself with CPD’s summer safety tips which are a great way to keep you and others in our community safe. To read the full list, click here.
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Ald. Knudsen Urges Johnson & CDOT to Prioritize Bridge Closures and Offer Alternative Traffic Congestion Plans
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"The ongoing closure of river bridges (especially the Cortland Bridge) has created major traffic strain and frustration for residents and businesses alike. Alongside seven other aldermen, I sent a letter to Mayor Johnson urging his administration and CDOT to prioritize this bridge issue. My office will continue pushing for clearer communication, smarter coordination, and the fastest safe timeline possible to get these bridges reopened." -Ald. Timmy Knudsen
Alderman Knudsen supported a proposal from 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins requiring the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to present a detailed traffic plan before closing any bridge for more than 30 days. The plan must outline how congestion will be reduced — including detours, parking adjustments, and other mitigation strategies. Our office also received a letter back from CDOT, outlining steps they are taking to help reduce traffic congestion and delays for 43rd Ward residents. You can read it here.
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Interactive Ward 43 Parking Zone Map
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Our office has created a parking zone map to help residents better understand where residential parking zones are located throughout the ward. For several streets, a Residential Parking Permit may not be required. Some areas may instead be free parking, pay-to-park, school zones, or tow and loading zones that restrict parking during certain hours.
While the map can be helpful for general reference, posted signage is always the most reliable indicator of parking rules. We encourage residents and visitors to carefully check street signs when parking to confirm the applicable restrictions.
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Support Local Animal Rescue at SAYv’s 6th Annual Yappy Hour
SAYv Animal Organization is bringing its 6th Annual Yappy Hour to Lincoln Park! Join fellow animal lovers on Sunday, August 16, from 12–3 PM at Bad Apple Lincoln Park for a fun, dog-friendly afternoon benefiting SAYv’s efforts to rescue homeless cats and dogs throughout Chicagoland.
Guests can meet adoptable dogs, learn more about cats looking for their forever homes, and enter a raffle featuring exciting prizes. Tickets are $25 and include one drink ticket plus bar snacks and appetizers, with proceeds supporting SAYv’s rescue efforts and helping provide medical care, supplies, and second chances for animals in need.
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Sunday mornings, 11am-1pm
6/14, 7/12, 8/2 & 8/23
Meet Jennie in the LPHS parking lot
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Have questions about street work happening in your area? The Department of Transportation has a wonderful tool to look up street work in your area called the Chi Street Work Portal. Here you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street. The map is also interactive, allowing residents to view the real permits, view projects in other areas of the City, and see which type of work is being done on your street.
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Parking Enforcement via 311
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The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that City residents now have the option of reporting the following parking enforcement violations: Bus Lane Parking, Commercial Loading Zone, Commercial Vehicle Parked on a Residential Street, Disabled Parking, Fire Hydrant Parking, Residential Parking, Rush Hour Zones, School Safety Zones, Vehicle Parked in Bike Lane, Other (Semi-trucks parked on streets, etc.) Neighbors can report parking violations by calling 311, using the CHI311 app, or through the 311 website. The request type is “Finance Parking Code Enforcement Review.”
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E-Scooters and E-Bikes Policy Updates
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Please click here for updated guidance and rules from CDOT on Scooter and E-Bike rides.
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I want to keep spreading the good word of how powerful a tool CHI 311 is to address non-emergency services in our Ward. Via the CHI 311 website and mobile app, you can:
- Create new service requests and check the status of existing requests (such as on timing and completion).
- Snap a photo of an issue to submit it with a request to improve location accuracy.
- Get local and relevant information/tips regarding the 43rd Ward including visibility into what other requests are being made in your neighborhood. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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