1st Ward Newsletter | September 8, 2026
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Dear neighbors,
I wanted to talk through with you the 2027 Budget Forecast that was released last week by Chicago's Office of Budget Management. I don't want to dismiss the real work that we need to do to pass a balanced and effective budget, but I do see the patterns that emerge in the eighth budget forecast I've read. Things are never looking up. Regardless of the administration, economic indicators are selected to present a downward trending economy and revenue forecast. Take the page five disclaimer which states, "Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the prospective financial information," and "Neither the City nor any of its agencies nor any of its officers or employees shall be held liable for any use of the information described and/or contained in this document."
My professional opinion is that municipal budget forecasts serve the purpose of creating a narrative: a narrative that lowers expectations for what the budget will accomplish and concludes, invariably, with a balanced budget being presented before Council in October. Whether that budget is balanced on reasonable revenue and effective city services is the real question. This is not to say I don't take this document seriously but my seriousness is balanced with skepticism.
Here are two specific points of skepticism to carry with you. A massive component of this budget gap on the expenditure side is a projected $266 million in settlements and judgments against the city. However, Council has not been told which cases make up these settlements nor do these costs become real until we vote on them. Right now, what makes up that $266 million is in a black box, which makes me both skeptical and more than a little uncomfortable. Another component on the revenue side is a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) surplus as a part of our 2027 budget, which is projected to decrease by 67% in 2027. A TIF surplus is not a preferred way to close a budget gap: it's not structural and every dollar we surplus is consequently not supporting development and infrastructure in the city. At the same time, given that most meaningful progressive revenue tools require state action and given the budget crises facing both the city and CPS, a large TIF surplus as part of this budget is a near certainty.
I'll continue to use our upcoming newsletters for budget education, in advance of community engagement activities closer to the actual budget.
Sincerely,
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Alderman La Spata
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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The next Meet Me on Milwaukee event is on September 27! 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. Volunteers will also receive a free shirt. Register below!
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Crane Work at St. Elizabeth Hospital
Next Tuesday, Sept. 15, a full closure of Claremont Ave between LeMoyne St and Hirsch St will take place to allow for a crane to place cell equipment on the roof of St. Elizabeth Hospital (1431 N. Claremont). The crane will arrive onsite at 8:00 a.m. and will be off site by 4:00 p.m. at the latest. There will be traffic control & flaggers onsite to help direct traffic and pedestrians.
If, for some reason, the work cannot be completed on Tuesday, it will take place on Wednesday (9/16) or Thursday (9/17).
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The annual Taste of Serbia festival is taking place this weekend at Holy Resurrection Old Serbian Orthodox Church (3062 W Palmer Blvd)! The festival will take place from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and feature feature an abundant selection of delicious Serbian foods and pastries, church tours, cultural traditions, and live entertainment.
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The Wicker Park Fine Art Fair is taking place this Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10:00 am to 6:00 p.m. at Wicker Park. This is a free event sponsored by the Wicker Park Garden Club in collaboration with the Chicago Park District. Children’s activities will be provided by the Ravenswood Music Academy. Follow @wickerparkfineartfair on Instagram for more information about the event!
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Senior Fest 2026 is taking place on September 17 at Millennium Park from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch, live music, raffle prizes, and learn about the resources local organizations provide. Contact your local senior center or [email protected] for more information.
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Virtual 1st Ward First Look – Monday, September 14 (6pm) RSVP
- 2525 N Milwaukee: Property owner proposes adaptive reuse of existing vacant building (former Single Room Occupancy residence) for 30 residential dwelling units and 2 ground floor commercial units.
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