1st Ward Newsletter | August 4, 2026
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Hi neighbors,
City Council has no meetings in August but here in the 1st Ward we’re as busy as ever! I want to take this newsletter opening to share with you some dates you won’t want to miss!
This Saturday, August 8th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: Back to School Bash at Pulaski Park! Hundreds of backpacks, loaded with school supplies, are ready for our students who need them. If you’re good on school supplies, did I mention the face painting, games, and ice cream truck?! All completely free! Come join us!
Monday, August 17th at 6:00 pm: Chicago Avenue Infrastructure Meeting at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The Chicago Department of Transportation is planning pedestrian improvements at many intersections along Chicago Avenue. I’m very grateful to see this investment, particularly since Chicago and Ashland has been the most dangerous intersection in the ward for several years. I myself was struck in a hit and run at that intersection. The 36th Ward, which shares this corridor, has requested a town hall meeting before this project proceeds. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in a safer Chicago to attend.
Sunday, August 30th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm: Meet Me on Milwaukee returns!! We can’t wait to welcome you back to a free and open Milwaukee Avenue. Streets full of people, sidewalks full of commerce, it’s that easy! The last thing we need is a few more volunteers to facilitate the space. Please sign up here!
Have a beautiful week and we’ll see you on Saturday at Pulaski Park!
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Alderman La Spata
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P.S. Click here to open this newsletter in another tab!
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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The first Meet Me on Milwaukee of 2026 is just three weeks away! We're seeking volunteers to sign-up for 3-hour shifts on each event day. Volunteers will be responsible for setting up barricades, guarding intersections, redirecting drivers, providing information to attendees, disposing of litter, and more. Please help make MMoM 2026 a success by registering below!
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Our annual Back to School Bash is THIS Saturday! Come by Pulaski Park between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for free backpacks, school supplies, ice cream truck, bouncy house, gaming truck, face painting, snacks & so much more!
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Additional events this month include:
- 8/20 Dog Vaccine and Microchip Clinic: Open to the first 100 dogs. Open to all Cook County residents. All dogs MUST be leashed or in a carrier. Dogs requiring muzzles MUST be muzzled and you MUST be able to handle your dog around other animals. Services offered:
- Rabies vaccine and tag
- Distemper vaccines
- Microchips with registration
- NEW – 8/20 Live Q&A with OIG: Ald. La Spata will host a virtual event via Facebook Live with Inspector General David Glockner. Send us your questions about City services and recent OIG reports!
- 8/26 Senior Resource Fair: Join Ald. La Spata, State Rep. Lilian Jimenez, State Sen. Omar Aquino, and a plethora of service organizations including healthcare providers. Light refreshments will be provided. Register here.
- 8/26 Meet Your Electeds: Swing by Bungalow by Middle Brow for an evening with your local elected officials, including Ald. La Spata, State Representative Will Guzzardi (39th District), Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez (8th District), and State Senator Graciela Guzman (20th District). Register here!
- 8/30 Meet Me on Milwaukee: The first MMoM of the year! Join us on in Wicker Park on Milwaukee Ave between Damen and Ashland for strolling, shopping, eating and more!
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The 1st Ward Office regularly works with the 12th and 14th police districts, community-based violence prevention groups, gender-based violence prevention groups, other relevant City departments, and neighbors on matters affecting public safety.
In recent weeks, the 1st Ward Office has received emails or phone calls about numerous alleged crimes in which no 911 call was made. The 1st Ward office would like to remind neighbors of the following recommended public safety protocol:
- If you are aware of a life threatening emergency, including hearing gun shots fired, please call 911 to report the emergency to the City.
- If you are ever unsure about calling 911, call anyway and you will be properly dispatched by the City.
- Once you call 911, you can send our office a service request via our website, or call our office, to let us know you called 911.
- We can then follow up with our police district and community partners where necessary.
By calling 911 first, and then calling us, Alderman La Spata and our office can properly advocate for resources for our neighborhoods.
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A new month means a new schedule events from the West Town Library! Learn more about what's being offered this August here.
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The nonprofit Garbage Gals is hosting their first ever electronic recycling event this Sunday at Colectivo in Wicker Park from 8 a.m. to noon! To learn more about items that will and will not be accepted for recycling, please click here.
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Storm Damage Self-Assessment Survey
Cook County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) and the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) are reviewing damage from the July 27, 2026 storms and asking residents who have been impacted submit an initial damage assessment.
This survey helps State and local emergency management officials across Illinois identify and gain an understanding of damages that occurred during recent natural disaster activity. Reporting damages to emergency management is voluntary. It is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. Fill out the Illinois Residential Self-Assessment Survey here.
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Recent Zoning Inquiries
Zoning inquiries received by the 1st Ward office in July 2026:
- 2431 W Fullerton A potential developer reached out for details about potential zoning change on this property. 1st Ward Office discussed previous zoning change and feedback, provided developer intake packet, and awaits more information.
- 516 - 526 N Hartland Zoning attorney reached out with request about potential zoning map amendment to redevelop approximately five substandard zoning lots (ex., ~114' x ~79' total area vacant, according to Chicago Zoning Map GIS). 1st Ward Office discussed potential options for different types of multi-unit residences, and provided developer intake packet. 1st Ward Office awaits more information.
- 950 - 952 N Noble (numerous requests) Numerous developers have requested speculative inquiry about demolishing an existing residence on the side lot to this property, to rezone for multi unit residence. This property should support three dwelling units with Additional Dwelling Unit program and zoning variation under existing RS3 zoning district. 1st Ward Office awaits more information.
- 1540 - 1542 N Western (numerous requests) Numerous developers and zoning attorneys are reaching out on this property, to redevelop a multi-unit mixed use property by demolishing the existing one story storefront. The 1st Ward Office has requested developer intake packets and more information about the existing business operations at the building to discern the potential for business displacement.
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