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Ald. Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward apologized for describing discussions about infrastructure and traffic safety near Palmer Square Park in needlessly combative terms. He said neighbors share an interest in safety and took personal responsibility for any hurt caused by his wording.

Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter highlights Friday committee votes on expanding Smart Streets automated enforcement citywide, a five-year Divvy/Lyft contract extension, and a CDOT feasibility study of pedestrian improvements near Palmer Square. A virtual zoning meeting will review a proposal for 38 homes and ground-floor commercial space at 2429–2431 W. Fullerton, while La Spata has advanced a Chicago Avenue rezoning to allow certain restaurant uses. Other announcements include an Oct. 20 community discussion of the city’s redistricting process and reform ordinance.

1st Ward Ald. La Spata says the Chicago City Council approved the sale of the parking meter concession agreement to Stonepeak Partners, and that he voted “yes,” citing $75 million in up-front revenue to the city and improved labor terms; he argues the city couldn’t legally/financially buy it back outright without effectively doubling costs. The newsletter also promotes upcoming 1st Ward community events, including the final “Meet Me on Milwaukee” on Oct. 25 (with volunteer signup), a CityKey printing event with the City Clerk on Oct. 5, and a blood drive/vaccine clinic on Oct. 6, plus several library, cleanup competition, and neighborhood announcements.

In the 1st Ward, Alderman La Spata reports that the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety held a hearing on the Smart Streets Pilot (camera-based bike/bus lane citations), which is set to expire in December and may be codified by ordinance citywide. She also notes preparation to vote on an ordinance requiring firms seeking to contract with the city to disclose current and former contracts with ICE. Zoning updates include submitting a Chicago Avenue rezoning ordinance from B1 to B3 to allow additional restaurant/Liquor-related uses and an adaptive reuse proposal at 2525 N Milwaukee for 30 residential units and 2 commercial units. Other updates include office closures (ComEd outage Sept. 23; closed Sept. 28), the “Meet Me on Milwaukee” event this Sunday (Sept. 22), a CityKey printing event with City Clerk Anna Valencia on Sept. 30, a blood drive/vaccine clinic on Oct. 6, and multiple neighborhood community events/carnivals this weekend and early October.

In this 1st Ward newsletter, Alderman La Spata highlights upcoming community school events and notes a remote 1st Ward office day on Sept. 23 due to a ComEd outage. On zoning/development, the office reports a Sept. 14 “First Look” for the former Milshire Hotel with updated plans to follow, discusses a revised concept at 2455 N California adding a basement ADU (increasing units from 2 to 3), and notes zoning inquiries for 1551 W Division awaiting further details. Other major announcements include an Eckhart Park District Council meeting (6:30 p.m.) and Meet Me on Milwaukee volunteering, plus a CityKey printing event with City Clerk Anna Valencia (Sept. 30 by appointment).

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, he discusses skepticism about Chicago’s 2027 Budget Forecast, focusing on concerns about a $266 million projected amount for settlements/judgments (with unclear case details) and the use of a declining TIF surplus. The zoning section lists a “Virtual 1st Ward First Look” on September 14 for 2525 N Milwaukee, where an adaptive reuse proposal would create 30 residential units plus 2 ground-floor commercial units. Other announcements/events include “Meet Me on Milwaukee” on September 27 (with volunteer sign-ups) and several community events: Taste of Serbia (this weekend), the Wicker Park Fine Art Fair (Sept. 12), Senior Fest 2026 at Millennium Park (Sept. 17), and a planned Claremont Ave crane work closure at St. Elizabeth Hospital on Sept. 15 (backup dates Sept. 16–17).

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlighted upcoming 2027 Budget Forecast briefings and noted the 1st Ward office closures for Labor Day (reopening Sept. 8). In zoning updates, the alderman is soliciting feedback on a proposed adaptive reuse at 2525 N Milwaukee for 30 residential units and 2 ground-floor commercial units (with a Sept. 14 “First Look”); the office also reported it is awaiting further information/intake materials for 2431 W Fullerton regarding a potential zoning change. Other announcements included community events like “Meet Me on Milwaukee” (Sept. 27 next) and a Sept. 9 zoning workshop at the Bucktown-Wicker Park Library, plus city public safety listening sessions for the 2026 CPD Superintendent search on the North side.

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlights upcoming housing/zoning community reviews, including a Sept. 1 First Look for 2525 N Milwaukee (adaptive reuse to 30 residential units plus 2 commercial units) with feedback requested, and notes the 1st Ward Office is awaiting a developer packet for 2431 W Fullerton. The newsletter also promotes two “Meet Your Electeds” events and emphasizes Meet Me on Milwaukee on Sunday (10 a.m.–6 p.m.). Other major announcements include City of Chicago community engagement meetings on a proactive rental inspection program and OEMC CERT training starting Sept. 15, plus a neighborhood-wide yard sale in September.

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, the focus is on Chicago’s storm resilience—calling for upgrades to stormwater “gray” capacity (e.g., the proposed West Side Wing Storage pilot) and “green infrastructure” like bioswales and permeability, alongside staffing and street maintenance for storm drains. The zoning section also flags upcoming community review work for 2525 N Milwaukee (adaptive reuse for 30 residential and 2 commercial units) and notes an ongoing intake for potential zoning changes at 2431 W Fullerton. Other major announcements/events include volunteering for Meet Me on Milwaukee (MMoM) next weekend, a Dog Vaccine and Microchip Clinic (8/20), a virtual OIG Q&A with Ald. La Spata (8/20), a Senior Resource Fair (8/26), and Meet Your Electeds (8/26), plus a free Emily Kuhn Quintet jazz set in Wicker Park (8/26).

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, the main development-related item is a setback tied to the Congress Theater incident, with La Spata noting ongoing multi-level work to reactivate and rehabilitate the site, plus a permit alert for 2149 N Milwaukee proposing a five-story, 56-unit development within the existing Congress Theater Planned Development (courtesy public meeting expected). The newsletter also highlights upcoming community listening sessions for CPD’s next superintendent (including a 1st Ward–closest session on Aug. 17 at Malcolm X College) and a repairs update for resurfacing on Medill Ave between Talman and California. Other major announcements include Back to School Fair programming, Meet Me on Milwaukee events, and community events such as a dog vaccine/microchip clinic, Meals on Wheels Chicago’s Chi on Tap tour, and multiple town halls.

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) is inviting residents to a Chicago Avenue Infrastructure Meeting on August 17 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center regarding CDOT plans for pedestrian improvements at intersections along Chicago Avenue, including the Chicago/Ashland corridor. The newsletter also promotes 1st Ward events like the Back to School Bash at Pulaski Park on August 8 and Meet Me on Milwaukee on August 30, plus other August community items (dog vaccine/microchip clinic, OIG Q&A, senior resource fair, and “Meet Your Electeds”). It also notes ongoing zoning inquiries in the ward and a public-safety reminder to call 911 first for emergencies.

In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, the main focus is City Council policy debate over renter protections, contrasting the mayor’s Protecting Renters Ordinance (codifying Right to Counsel, creating a Tenant Bill of Rights, eliminating junk fees, requiring legal just cause for eviction, and establishing a Rental Housing Registry) with the proposed FAIR Ordinance, which La Spata says would roll back existing protections. The newsletter also notes zoning/development community-review updates for a proposed redevelopment of a vacant lot at Mozart & Diversey (2758 N Mozart), including how residents can provide feedback and that a neighborhood meeting is forthcoming. Other announcements include a call for volunteers for “Meet Me on Milwaukee” (2026), the Aug. 8 Back to School Bash at Pulaski Park, and upcoming community events such as a Senior Resource Fair, a dog vaccine/microchip clinic, and a CMAP draft Regional Transportation Plan public comment period ending July 31.

Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter reports that the community review is underway for the proposed development at 2758 N. Mozart, with extensive resident feedback collected following the July 21 First Look meeting. It also notes an accessibility-related transit/streets update: CDOT lost a class action over Accessible Pedestrian Signals, and Chicago’s all-pedestrian crossing at North, Milwaukee, and Damen (the “Pedestrian Priority Pilot”) will be delayed pending required APS installations. In addition, the alderman highlights the scheduled start of work next Monday on the Polish Triangle’s planned first public restroom in decades, plus updates on Meet Me on Milwaukee volunteer sign-ups and a rescheduled bike tune-up event at Palmer Square Park.

The 1st Ward alderman’s office postponed tomorrow’s Summer Bike Tune-Up at Palmer Square Park due to dangerous (unhealthy) air quality, and will post a new date at www.the1stward.com/events; residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity and consider wearing an N95/KN95 mask per the Department of Public Health. The newsletter also points readers to Open Air Chicago for more information and lists the 1st Ward office contact details.

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) reported voting yes in Finance Committee on a $174 million TIF general infrastructure package for the 78 development (including Chicago Fire stadium) while voting no on a $250 million municipally-owned underground parking garage, and said he is opposing a specific NITA board nominee (Lester Barclay) while discussing other proposed board appointments. He also announced upcoming participatory-budegting funding to install a first all-way pedestrian crossing (“Pedestrian Priority Pilot”) at North/Damen/Milwaukee later this year, and introduced legislation to better segregate and direct automated speed enforcement revenues for safety purposes (crossing guards, infrastructure, and school safety zones). Other items include free bike tune-ups and a Mobile DMV event, a Circus in the Park performance, and zoning feedback requests for 2455 N California and 2758 N Mozart, plus upcoming affordable housing waitlist openings at Bickerdike Apartments.

Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) reports that the Grand Avenue reconstruction is still planned to start this year (Phase I Damen to Ashland, then Ashland to Ogden in 2027) and shares updates/feedback on the design, including requests about removing parkway trees. He also highlights progress on the Rockwell Greenway extension as part of a broader safer biking network, and notes the upcoming 2027 Participatory Budgeting process. Other updates include a proposed incidental packaged goods license at 1319 W Grand with a July 13 agenda item, plus a July 13 virtual zoning meeting covering 2831–2845 W Diversey and 2455 N California; community events include dominoes at Maplewood Park (July 11) and a bike ride/rally in Humboldt Park for Pedal for CHANGE.

Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) highlights a recent hearing on an ordinance to allow Stonepeak Partners to purchase the city’s parking meter lease, and he focuses on the purchaser’s background and financial character in the context of a competing mayoral administration proposal. The newsletter also notes ongoing 1st Ward “First Look” zoning outreach and several active zoning intake inquiries, but does not report any final approvals or ordinances beyond the parking-lease vote. Other announcements include tonight’s “Meet Your Electeds” event at Oud Coffee (4–6 p.m.), Tree Stewardship Day thanks, an Independence Day office closure with altered garbage/recycling service, and an Extreme Heat Warning through July 1.

Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter highlights upcoming work on the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC) with Ald. Cruz, beginning with an initial meeting and tour this Friday. It also references a downtown briefing on Stonepeak Partners’ potential purchase of the lease for the parking meters, with a public hearing scheduled for this Thursday and further discussion planned for a Finance Committee meeting. The newsletter additionally notes a Virtual 1st Ward “First Look” zoning meeting on June 29 for a proposed zoning map amendment at 2455 N California, and lists community events including tree-pit mulching with Openlands (Saturday), plus performances and festivals this week (e.g., Shakespeare in the park and the Logan Square Arts Festival).

Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter focuses on youth engagement and resources, with an emphasis on a forthcoming zoning matter: a “Virtual 1st Ward First Look” on June 29, 2026 regarding a zoning map amendment at 2455 N California, and mention that a related zoning proposal for 1619 N Artesian is expected to be introduced at City Council and could pass in July 2026 with a voluntary downzoning agreement. The newsletter also announces office closure for Juneteenth (June 19) and altered garbage/recycling collection, plus various community events and updates such as a June 26 Shred-A-Thon and a June 2026 meet-your-elected-officials event.

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) reports ongoing citywide storm response following severe weather, with the Department of Streets and Sanitation clearing blocked roadways and downed trees; DSS has received over 5,000 311 service requests. The newsletter also warns of additional severe weather expected today, and urges residents to report tree emergencies to 311, report power outages to ComEd, conserve water, and use OEMC and NWS updates. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-policy meetings/approvals are mentioned; the focus is entirely on storm safety and service requests.