Dear Neighbors,
Last week, demolition officially began at 2600 N Clark St (located at the NW corner of Wrightwood and Clark), a long-vacant site on a key corner which many of us know as the former Dunlay’s and Affordable Portables. It’s been a privilege to work with the community to move this project forward in a way that adds affordable and market-rate housing, reactivates ground-floor retail, and respects the character of the neighborhood.
The approved five story mixed-use building will include 48 new apartments, 10 of which will be regulated affordable ARO units, as well as ground floor commercial space.
This project also includes increasing the width of the sidewalk to create more pedestrian space along Clark and a large community benefit loading zone on Wrightwood adjacent to the intersection to improve the flow of traffic turning off of Clark and reduce double parking in the area. Shaped by a strong community process with over 100 neighbors and close partnership with the Park West Neighborhood Association, this project reflects thoughtful, transit-oriented growth that strengthens our streetscape, public safety, and local businesses. After a few years considering and approving multiple new developments on Clark, this demolition represents a physical start to this corridor meeting its full potential as one of the best in Chicago.
|
In City Council news, the Committee on Environmental Protection & Energy, where I serve as Vice Chair, advanced a resolution last week supporting the rat birth control pilot program I introduced last July. Watch my floor speech here, starting at the 53 minute mark. The committee voted to recommend the resolution for approval by the full City Council in February, following leadership from Chairwoman Maria Hadden.
I’m grateful to partners from Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Bird Alliance, as well as Commissioner Cole Stallard and Assistant General Superintendent Gloria Pittman, for their collaboration and leadership. This pilot is designed not just for the 43rd Ward, but as a model other communities across Chicago can learn from as we collect and evaluate data in the months ahead. As the rats have been eating the contraceptive substance for a few months now, we are excited to be moving into the period where data will ideally show their population reduction.
|
Alyssa, Matt, and Alderperson Knudsen after Tuesday's successful committee meeting
|
In the same meeting, the committee also advanced a resolution recognizing the ecological and community value of the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The resolution highlights real environmental progress, such as healthier fish populations, while acknowledging the need to address legacy pollution in areas like Bubbly Creek through continued federal, state, and local restoration efforts. This action reaffirms Chicago’s commitment to cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems, and more equitable access to our waterways and rivers. May we see the day, like Paris’ Seine, where Chicagoans are able to swim in our river!
To close, early voting for the 2026 Primary Election will kick off at the downtown ‘supersite’ on February 12th, while local early voting at the Lincoln Park Library will begin on March 2nd. If voting in-person is not convenient, you can still request a mail-in ballot and vote from home. Once local early voting begins, our office will send a special, in-depth newsletter focused entirely on voting options, locations, and more. No matter how you prefer to vote, now is a good moment to make your plan to do so and ensure your voice is heard on March 17th.
|
Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
|
P.S. I wanted to give a quick shout out to a great charitable partner, Humble Design Chicago, a non-profit organization that works to furnish homes for people and families recovering from chronic homelessness. This organization uses donated furniture and houseware items like dishes and bedding to create warm, personalized environments that reflect care and dignity for those in need. If able, please consider donating supplies at their headquarters at 431 W Pershing Rd, Chicago, IL 60609.
P.P.S. Our office will be closed on Thursday, Feb 12th for Lincoln's Birthday, which is an Illinois Holiday, and Monday, Feb 16th for Presidents Day. We will also not hold Saturday Office Hours on Sat, Feb 14th.
|
Mobile School Board Office Hours
|
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 5 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 5 Compstat.
|
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.
|
The Chicago Police Department has released its January In Review, summarizing department activity & citywide trends from the past month in 2026. The report shows declines in several major crime categories compared to January 2025, including shootings, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts, as well as information on firearm recoveries and recent enforcement efforts across the city. You can read the full report here.
|
Ald. Knudsen Urges Johnson & CDOT to Prioritize Bridge Closures and Offer Alternative Traffic Congestion Plans
|
"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.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
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.
|
Parking Enforcement via 311
|
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.”
|
E-Scooters and E-Bikes Policy Updates
|
Please click here for updated guidance and rules from CDOT on Scooter and E-Bike rides.
|
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.
|
|
