1st Ward Newsletter | November 18, 2025
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Dear neighbors,
It was wonderful to join so many of you this Saturday for the ribbon cutting for the new and improved Wicker Bark! I know this has been a labor of love for so many, and I particularly want to thank Kristin and Grant Drutchas and the whole Wicker Park Advisory Committee Team. In a past round of participatory budgeting over a thousand residents voted for us to direct $175K in infrastructure funds to rehab the park's dog friendly area. I'm so grateful for your advocacy and for the 1st Ward's role in helping this project succeed!
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By contrast, the process around Chicago's 2026 budget is proving significantly more challenging. Yesterday, I voted with 18 of my colleagues to delay voting on the ordinances of the budget, a motion that narrowly failed. This was followed by the Revenue Ordinance being voted down and all other votes being delayed indefinitely. I voted 'yes' on the Revenue Ordinance based on the feedback from 1st Ward residents by email, text, our budget survey, and comments from the Budget Town Hall at Goethe a week ago, but the ordinance as put forward is going to need to substantially change as will the various other ordinances that make up our 2026 Budget. It's clear that there is deep frustration in Council and diverging perspectives on how city government should operate and be funded next year. I am hopeful that we can still chart a path forward grounded if not in consensus than reasonable compromises. I will continue to update you on options on the table.
Finally, I must share that while shootings are down 72% in the ward year-to-date, an individual was tragically killed early Saturday morning on the 1500 block of Honore. While this is an ongoing investigation, it does not appear that it was a 1st Ward neighbor who was killed. Regardless of the circumstances, all gun violence is senseless and horrifying and we will continue working with the 14th district as well as our community violence intervention partners to preserve the peace and stability of our neighborhoods and the city.
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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This Friday, November 21 is our annual resource fair for senior residents featuring a turkey giveaway! Free vaccines are being provided by Walgreens and Jewel-Osco and other community organizations will be present to connect neighbors with available resources. Seniors are invited to join us in Logan Square or Wicker Park:
- Logan Square: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Haas Park (2402 N. Washtenaw)
- Wicker Park: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Wicker Park Lutheran Church (1500 N. Hoyne)
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2026 Residential Daily passes are now available for purchase! Any 2025 passes will expire on December 31, 2025. Please note that there are no refunds on any unused sheets/passes.
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It is recommended that you call our office in advance of any purchase, so that we may confirm that all of our machines are working, and also so we can check on your account to resolve any issues with the City Clerk's Office in advance.
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Community News and Events
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Senator Graciela Guzman and local 1st Ward business The StopAlong are partnering to provide free Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Meals will be available by delivery or pick-up on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at The StopAlong (2210 N. California). If you aren't requesting a meal, please consider donating to support our neighbors in need.
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Property Tax Update
Property tax bills for Tax Year 2024 were mailed to property owners on November 14, 2025, with a due date of December 15, 2025. If you have any exemptions, such as the Senior Freeze, Homeowner Exemption, Senior Exemption, and Persons with Disabilities Exemption, these will be reflected on this bill. If you believe there is an exemption missing on your bill when you receive it, please call Cook County Commissioner Vasquez's office at 312-603-6386 for assistance.
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All Chicago is now collecting donations for their 2025 Winter Clothing Drive, providing essential items for those experiencing homelessness. Here are three ways you can help:
- Monetary Donations: Donations of any amount help buy essential items and provide dignity and warmth to someone in need.
- Amazon Wishlist: Ships items directly to All Chicago for distribution.
- In-person Drop-off: New clothing donations are being accepted at 651 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
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