1st Ward Newsletter | July 7, 2026
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Hi neighbors,
They say Chicago has two seasons: winter and construction. We're in the heat of the latter, so I wanted to provide some updates on infrastructure projects across the ward.
The Grand Avenue reconstruction project is still slated to begin this year. While it has been delayed due to permitting issues, Phase I will be from Damen to Ashland Ave. followed by Ashland to Ogden in 2027. We continue to receive feedback on this project, most recently individuals asking that parkway trees be removed from the design. Having been on Grand yesterday morning for the ribbon cutting for The Space Together I believe every aspect of this project brings value to West Town residents, businesses, and visitors; I can't imagine why you would want a treeless street now or in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we will continue to hear out feedback on this project.
I also had a chance to ride the extension of the Rockwell Greenway this past week. Cyclists are justifiably frustrated by infrastructure that comes to an arbitrary stop. Now the Rockwell Greenway that starts at Milwaukee crosses Logan Boulevard and swings west up Altgeld and Schubert before connecting with the California bike lane. This is how we live into the vision put forward by the Chicago Cycling Strategy and build out a more comprehensive network of safe bike infrastructure across the ward and the city.
We will continue to update you on all of these projects as well as the upcoming start of our 2027 Participatory Budgeting process! In the meanwhile, I'll hopefully see you on Saturday: from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. we're teaching dominoes over at Maplewood Park and at 11 a.m. I'm partnering with Change IL on Pedal for CHANGE, a community bike ride in Humboldt Park to highlight redistricting reform legislation we're working on.
Sincerely,
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Alderman La Spata
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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Damen Substation Update
The Damen Substation is currently in the final stages of construction! Window replacements, site cleanup, final electrical equipment adjustments and testing within the substation, and preparation of the pedestrian plaza are underway. Completion is anticipated by the end of August.
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Business Proposal - Incidental Packaged Goods at 1319 W Grand
The 1st Ward Office received a proposal for incidental packaged goods license at 1319 W Grand, for a convenience store / small grocer like Go Grocer or South Loop Market. View the specifics and provide feedback below.
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Since this stretch has a packaged goods moratorium ordinance shared with the 27th Ward, the 27th Ward office recommended placing this item on the River West Neighbors agenda Monday, July 13, 6 p.m., Church of Saint John Cantius, Basement - 825 N Carpenter St.
The 1st Ward Office expects to flyer neighboring blocks for awareness of electronic feedback form and license proposal within the next week (based on weather and staffing).
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Join Ald. Daniel La Spata, State Sen. Omar Aquino and State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado for a fun morning of dominoes! In partnership with La Familia Domino League, children (ages 6-18) will learn rules, basic strategies, and practice through friendly matches. Registration required, space is limited!
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Back by popular demand, join Ald. La Spata and State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado for another free bike tune-up event at Palmer Square Park! All appointments have been filled, but walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Food Delivery Robots
Residents are now able to submit complaints regarding food delivery robots, or Personal Delivery Devices (PDD), via 311. Complaints will be sent to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Department of Transportation. Submit a complaint here.
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The 14th District Council will hold its monthly meeting this Thursday, July 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse. Maggie Hickey from the Independent Monitoring Team will join the meeting for a presentation and Q&A on CPD's Consent Decree.
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Join BUILD, Equiticity, and CHANGE Illinois in a bike ride through the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Take in the historic neighborhood while learning about the impacts of gerrymandering and how the community has persevered. Stay after the ride for grilling, a DJ, a bouncy house, a pickup basketball game, and resource tabling.
Start: Saturday, July 11, 2026 • 11:00 AM
Location: Basketball Courts, Humboldt Park • 1000 N. Sacramento Ave
Limited free Divvy bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here!
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Start a new chapter at the Chicago Works | Chicago Volunteers fair at Harold Washington Library next Wednesday, July 15 from 3 – 6 p.m. With dozens of local organizations presenting, you'll be able to learn about job and workforce development opportunities at the Job Fair in the South Hall and volunteer opportunities at the Volunteer Fair in the Winter Garden.
Paletas from Razpachos and iced coffee & matcha from THRD Coffee will be available to keep you cool while you learn about these great opportunities! Click here to see participating organizations and to register.
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Noble Street College Prep is accepting enrollments for 9th grade! Submit a contact form here. https://formstack.io/528EF
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Virtual 1st Ward First Look – July 13, 2026, 6 p.m.
- 2831 - 2845 W Diversey: Numerous zoning attorneys and real estate professionals are reaching out regarding rezoning options for an existing vacant lot. 1st Ward Office is providing zoning intake packet and awaiting more information. As of March 2026, it is expected that this property is under contract, and as of June 2026 the 1st Ward Office received a zoning intake packet for a five story, 40 dwelling unit mixed use property.
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Feedback Wanted!
- 2455 N California: A zoning attorney reached out to propose a rezoning to construct a 2-flat on a vacant lot, which was improperly subdivided from the adjacent 3-flat at 2453 N California. A zoning map amendment is necessary to bring 2453 N California into conformance with the Municipal Code, otherwise 2455 N California is an unbuildable lot. The 1st Ward Office provided a zoning intake packet, requested numerous concepts from the redevelopment team to assess the future of this lot, and a two flat proposal received a June 29, 2026, 1st Ward First Look (watch the meeting).
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