Dear Neighbors,
As Chicago continues to grow, our office remains focused on making sure development, preservation, and affordability all move together to protect the character of Lincoln Park and the neighborhoods we love. This week, several important projects moved forward through the City’s zoning, landmarks, and housing processes that reflect that balance between thoughtful growth and preserving the identity of our community.
To highlight them, Block Club Chicago released two articles demonstrating the work our 43rd Ward office has been doing on preservation and to formally create historic landmarks. Namely, this week City Council officially approved landmark protections for the former home and studio of famed Chicago artist Roger Brown, along with two historic DePaul University buildings, Byrne Hall and Cortelyou Commons. These buildings are deeply tied to the architectural and cultural history of Lincoln Park, and preserving them helps maintain the historic character and neighborhood feel that residents care deeply about.
This is a significant preservation win, as these are the first three individual landmark designations granted in 2026 in the whole city. We are proud that all three are located in the 43rd Ward.
Another fantastic stat: Of the 12 individual landmark designations approved citywide in the past twelve months, 4 are here in the 43rd Ward. Thanks to the home and studio of Roger Brown, Byrne Hall, Cortelyou Commons, and Wax Trax! (which was landmarked one year ago on Lincoln Avenue), our little ward accounts for one-third of the individual landmark designations made in our whole city in this past year. None of this would be possible without the dedicated work of the Chicago Landmarks staff and local neighbors who are passionate about preservation.
At the same time, City Council approved a new affordable housing pilot program creating a citywide database that allows renters to search for affordable units more easily across Chicago. Programs like this are important tools in helping residents better navigate housing opportunities while continuing broader conversations about affordability, accessibility, and neighborhood stability. Our office continues working toward a vision for Lincoln Park that welcomes investment and new housing while preserving the walkability, historic fabric, and community character that make our neighborhoods special.
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As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I also wanted to share a great community tradition returning. I’ll be joining forces with North Pond Restaurant for their annual “Seedlings” giveaway beginning at Noon on Monday. Richard, North Pond’s owner, grows these plants on the roof of the restaurant, and every year offers his extra seedlings to neighbors. The plant seedlings will be available on a first come, first served basis and tend to go quickly, with a maximum of four plants per household.
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This week, 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 and 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 at scale. 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.
I hope you have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend. In doing so, we honor all of the brave men and women who gave their lives serving our country and protecting our freedoms. I am honored to kick mine off by serving as the commencement speaker for tonight’s Lincoln Park High School Class of 2026 Graduation.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Streets and Sanitation would like to remind residents that there will be no garbage and recycling collection on Monday May 25, 2025. All city- collected refuse will be serviced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Residents should ensure all black and blue refuse carts are accessible throughout the week of collection, not solely on their regular day of collection.
P.P.S. This Friday, May 22nd, at 2pm, the 43rd Ward office will close for Memorial Day Weekend, and will reopen on Tuesday, May 29th, at 9am. Saturday Office hours on May 24th will not be held over the holiday weekend. Today is also the start of "Team Fridays" which will alter office hours to 9am-2pm every Friday through Labor Day in order to commit time to weekly staff development and goal setting from outside the office.
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We want to inform the community of the passing of Deirdre Graziano, an amazing community leader and great friend to the 43rd Ward Office. Deirdre was one in a billion. Each time we spoke I left smiling because she had a rare energy that was both fun and deeply intelligent. She taught my staff about the depth of Ella Jenkins' legacy in the neighborhood and was an effective thought partner to us on protecting affordable housing. I will always remember one Pride Event she showed up in her iconic “straight but not narrow” t-shirt, smiling along with her husband Tom.
Deirdre contributed to the community for years, and in the coming weeks, our office will do a more formal and extensive commemoration to her life and legacy.
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Francis W. Parker Proposal Update
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For the past six weeks, our office has been gathering feedback related to the Francis W. Parker school expansion and field lighting proposal. After the public meeting on the topic, we sent information on the proposal out from our newsletter, including requests for feedback to be provided in person, emailed to [email protected], or by phone. With every piece of feedback, we sought specific addresses, ward residency status, and names, and worked to locate that information in our system if it was not readily available in the outreach, to be able to provide a complete view of the feedback to the community. This effort was made because we wanted to prioritize the feedback made by 43rd Ward residents (also as requested by the Mid-North Association, who opposes the project), while also ensuring that every voice was heard due to the impacts our educational institutions have throughout the city. Click here to view a complete overview of the specific feedback received through May 10th, with identifying information (such as names,addresses, and other personalizing information) redacted for privacy reasons.
Since the last newsletter, we received outreach from a handful of residents alleging that they were unable to locate their specific feedback. When we cross checked with our unredacted file, we were able to verify that a majority of those were already included on the spreadsheet we sent out (and have informed those residents where in the document it is). However, there were two responses that had been flagged and logged only internally whose responses have now been added to the spreadsheet.
As a high-level view of the over one month long feedback-logging period that concluded on May 10th, we received 620 responses, with 470 from verified 43rd Ward residents (this is updated from the 618 responses, with 468 from verified 43rd Ward residents published last week). The breakdown is as follows:
School Expansion (onto Belden):
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All respondents: 68.2% (423) support, 29.2% (181) oppose, 2.6% (16) neutral
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Ward residents: 60.2% (283) support, 36.6% (172) oppose, 3.2% (15) neutral
Lights on Existing Field:
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All respondents: 68.5% (425) support, 25.5% (158) oppose, 6.0% (37) neutral
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Ward residents: 60.6% (285) support, 32.1% (151) oppose, 7.2% (34) neutral
Top Themes Noted in Support of the Proposal:
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School commitment to build rent-reduced affordable housing units on Clark
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Increased financial aid to expand access to the school
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Concerns that alternative development on the site (which allows for ~10 stories without zoning approval) could be more disruptive
Top Themes Noted in Objection to the Proposal:
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Proposal provides insufficient benefits to the community
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Increased traffic, parking & pick-up/drop-off congestion
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Increased light pollution from the field lights
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Loss of residential housing on Belden and a historic building
Part of our formal process as described at the outset of this proposal, this feedback is helpful to my office as it provides input from community members with differing viewpoints. I want to emphasize again, this input is not determinative, nor is any one data point, but will help us guide our decision-making process and negotiations. Additionally, it helps us consider a project’s near-term impact, as well as how the long-term impact would fit with our 43rd Ward Office’s Mission, Visions and Values.
Last week, we met with the Mid-North Neighbors Association and residents of two adjacent buildings as part of our ongoing dialogue around this proposal. As noted above, this Monday, our office received a formal letter of objection to the project from Mid-North Association. We were also provided a petition titled “Stop Parker” with language generally against Francis W. Parker School and the school’s proposal.
As always, I want to thank my small (but mighty) team in the 43rd Ward Office who has organized this large amount of feedback to be published, a step beyond any wards’ typical zoning process. In a ward office as busy as ours, this is no small feat to do so on top of existing work portfolios; however, we are committed to presenting this information transparently.
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This morning, I had the privilege of attending Oscar Mayer’s Walkathon. We congratulate all of our students going into summer!
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Last night, I stopped by Lincoln Station with Wrightwood Neighbors to celebrate the reopening of the restaurant after the fire that destroyed it two years ago. Beloved local firefighter Drew Price was lost in this fire, and we will never stop honoring Drew’s legacy from our office.
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Highlighted in this Block Club Chicago article, and this CBS video, I am highlighting growing community concerns surrounding ComEd’s proposed electrical substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway. The project, which ComEd has described as important for strengthening grid reliability, has prompted pushback from a coalition of nearby residents and neighborhood groups raising questions about its scale, location, and potential impacts given its proximity to homes, schools, and public spaces. The article underscores broader concerns about how the project is being classified under the city’s zoning code, with neighbors calling for greater transparency and a more robust public review process as plans evolve.
Building on those concerns, in early April I submitted a formal request to the City’s Zoning Administrator for a Written Interpretation of how this project should be classified under Chicago’s zoning framework. In response, the Zoning Administrator did not issue a definitive determination, citing a lack of sufficient project-specific information from ComEd. While the letter notes that substations have historically been treated as “Minor Utilities,” it also makes clear that the City does not yet have enough detail to fully evaluate this proposal and leaves the door open for further review if additional information is provided.
In the meantime, my office will continue working closely with engaged residents to press ComEd for more clarity and transparency. We have also formally requested that the Department of Buildings and the Chicago Department of Transportation place an administrative hold on any demolition permits until a clearer zoning determination is made. For more information, please read my special newsletter highlighting the issue 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), led by Alderman Bennett Lawson and supported by my office, is officially in effect. In just the first two days, the City received 88 applications, an encouraging early sign that residents are ready to take advantage of this long-awaited change. 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 across our city.
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The Recycle Coach app is a simple, all-in-one tool to help you manage trash, recycling, and waste services in your neighborhood. It helps residents stay organized, recycle correctly, and keep up with local services. With Recycle Coach, you can:
- Get personalized trash and recycling pickup reminders
- Look up how to properly dispose of items with the “What Goes Where” tool
- Find drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle materials
- Stay updated on service changes and holiday schedules
- Learn about local recycling events and programs
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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 20 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 20 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
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.
Below is the most recent update we got from CDOT:
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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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RANCH Triangle is now offering $1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations whose work benefits residents of the RANCH community. To be eligible, an organization’s work must benefit RANCH residents, though the organization does not need to be located within the neighborhood. Interested non-profits can email RANCH at [email protected] for more info. Applications must be submitted by June 5, 2026.
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When: SATURDAY JUNE 6TH
Start Line: Butch McGuire's 11:00 AM
Finish Line: Mary Jo McGuire'
ALL Proceeds go towards supporting Chicago Fire Fighters!
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Host an international high school exchange student at Lincoln Park High!
Free and Open to the Public - Register here
The featured students are part of AFS Intercultural Programs, which carefully vets and prepares students from around the world for a successful exchange experience.
Host families complete a simple application and screening process, then choose a student who is the best fit for their family, with support from the local AFS team throughout the year.
Hosting creates lasting impact not only for students, but also for families and communities.
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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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