Dear Neighbors,
This morning I had the chance to speak with 7th and 8th graders at Lincoln Elementary for Career Day, and it was a real joy connecting with our next generation of leaders. We talked about my role as their Alderman, how city government works, and why school today can feel especially challenging, from rapid changes in technology to the lasting impacts of COVID. With that in mind, it is important for our students to hear that these challenges are real, and that they’re not facing them alone.
Most importantly, I emphasized that their voices and curiosity matter, and that the Chicago they will inherit is already being shaped by the ideas they are developing now. Visits like these always leave me feeling hopeful about our city’s future.
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Beyond my visit to Lincoln Elementary, I also joined Gold Coast residents for a community meeting at 1 E. Schiller, and Lincoln Park residents at Lincoln Common for a ‘Coffee Meet & Greet’, each where neighbors raised thoughtful questions about issues affecting their building and the surrounding area. These kinds of conversations are central to my commitment to meeting residents where they are and staying in dialogue across every part of our ward.
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Thank you to Schneider Deli, opening in a few weeks at Willow and Halsted, for joining us at Lincoln Common
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This week in a joint meeting between the Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Police and Fire committees (both of which I sit on), we advanced a measure to allow the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to review verified complaints against police officers who may have violated the Welcoming City Ordinance during interactions with federal immigration authorities. The measure, which is supported by Superintendent Snelling, sets out to ensure our Welcoming City protections are upheld by CPD. I believe that clear accountability, clear oversight, and a strong commitment to public safety go hand in hand.
In closing, Chicago Restaurant Week is underway and runs through February 8th, celebrating our city’s incredible food scene. Hundreds of restaurants are offering special menus and pricing, including more than 70 spots in Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and Old Town. Find the full list and search by neighborhood, cuisine, or dietary needs at this link.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Thank you to Erik Heitman and Eudice Fogel for their years of service and dedication to the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Association. Through their consistent leadership, Erik and Eudice have made the 43rd Ward an even better place to live. As the year begins, we sincerely thank our neighborhood associations & all residents who are involved with them.
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Mobile School Board Office Hours
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Please share this scheduling link with your communities and any veterans that you may know.
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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 4 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 4 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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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
Our office 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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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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