In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, the main zoning item is a virtual “1st Ward First Look” meeting on June 29 about 2455 N California, where a property owner requests a zoning map amendment to subdivide a side yard and create a buildable lot to establish a two-flat. The newsletter also raises opposition from 22 (and La Spata says they’d vote no as well) to the proposed sale of the lease of parking meters, noting limited information so far and that a related subject-matter hearing was canceled.
Other announcements include a story time event with La Spata (June 13), a “Meet Your Elected Officials” event at Oud Coffee & Cafe (no registration required), community events (including an adoption event at CACC, Healing Garden of Suqoon at Pulaski Park, and the Wicker Park Farmers Market), and a street closure notice for eastbound Superior St between Wood and Paulina on June 19 (with a possible June 20 weather addition).
Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) reports on major development and zoning-related progress for the Congress Theater redevelopment and the nearby Trader Joe’s: HUD is expected to decide soon on the Congress’ HUD 108 loan, and Trader Joe’s has submitted its building permit application. He also highlights broader public safety and health policy work, including citywide expansion of CARE Teams for non-violent behavioral health crises and the hiring of EMTs for that expansion. Other items include June ward events (Yoga in the Park, Storytime, Shred-A-Thon, Tree Stewardship Day), “Meet Your Elected Officials” gatherings, and Budget engagement roundtables on the 2027 budget, plus two recent 1st Ward zoning inquiries (1750 W Grand and 521 N Ashland).
In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, he highlights proposed policy actions including a city Council order to require an ADA Transition Plan, an ordinance he introduced to create an institutional zoning category for schools and houses of worship, and redistricting reform that would start in 2031 with a resident-appointed commission drafting three maps for City Council approval. He also notes a City Council ratification needed for a renewed parking meter deal involving the sale of a long-term lease from Morgan Stanley to StonePeak, and shares routine ward events (Wicker Park/Bucktown chamber event, senior sip-and-paint at Linden House, and pickleball with students at De Diego) plus upcoming June items like Yoga in the Park, Storytime, a Shred-A-Thon, and Tree Stewardship Day.
In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter, he reports that two measures he led advanced to the full City Council this Wednesday: a resolution on the Living Wage for Musicians Act and an ordinance requiring transparency on minority contracting and resident hiring commitments for major planned developments. He also discusses frustration with the preliminary CPS budget, citing a projected $733m gap and concerns about further proposed cuts to educational positions despite recent related reductions and prior increases in CPS-related property taxes. Other announcements include Memorial Day office closures (May 25), plus community events such as Yoga in the Park (June 12) and library children’s storytelling at the West Town Library.
Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlighted his advocacy at the Committee on Workforce Development for the H.R. 5664 Living Wage for Musicians Act, which would increase per-stream minimum compensation for musicians. He also discussed zoning work, including submitting a request to rezone Chicago Ave B1 properties between Ashland Ave and Wood St to B3 to allow more restaurant uses, and pointed to ongoing guidance discouraging demolition of existing multi-unit housing. Other major announcements included the May 16 wardwide Clean & Green (meeting at Haas Park, the Polish Triangle, and the 1st Ward office) and community events such as A Just Brew on May 21 and a Community Conversation on Data Centers on May 19.
In Alderman La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter (May 5, 2026), he says he met on matters including new grocery store developments, and appeared at the Committee on Housing and Real Estate to discuss state and federal policy impacts—especially rising home insurance rates. He also noted that tomorrow’s first Zoning Committee meeting in months will include nearly 80 zoning items.
Other announcements include the 1st Ward Office’s annual Clean & Green on May 16 and community survey/event links related to the first fully elected school board race, West Town library programming, and Hot Shots Sports summer activities.
1st Ward Ald. La Spata’s newsletter highlights Pedestrian and Traffic Safety committee work, including efforts to advance an ADA transition plan ordinance for sidewalk accessibility, develop an ordinance to make speed-camera revenue transparent and reinvest it into nearby traffic-safety improvements, and collect data for a bike-lane flooding survey (responses through May 1). It also notes zoning activity: a demolition permit application for 1315 W Ohio is under review with an effort to meet and explore alternatives to demolition; the city filed a HUD Section 108 loan application for the Congress Theater redevelopment; and the Zoning Board of Appeals case at 2346 N Western (gas station) was continued to June 12, 2026.
Other announcements include a Mental Health Awareness yoga event at Maplewood Park on May 2, the Clean & Green cleanup on May 16, and a CCPSA public meeting on April 30 with additional citizenship/workshop and Know Your Rights town hall events in early May.
1st Ward Ald. La Spata’s April 21, 2026 newsletter highlights ongoing oversight and early budget work, including a Q1 report hearing featuring outgoing Inspector General Deborah Witzburg and City Department of Finance debt-management audit analysis used to inform budget proposals. The only zoning item listed is a Zoning Board of Appeals continuance for a special use permit at 2346 N Western (gas station), continued to June 12, 2026.
Other updates include spring community events (a Spring Bike Tune-Up on April 25 and a yoga event on May 2), West Fest 2026 vendor application openings, and a statewide Illinois Housing Blueprint resident survey.
In this 1st Ward newsletter, Ald. La Spata highlights upcoming community bike and safety events at Pulaski Park (4/25) and a Mental Health Awareness Month yoga event at Maplewood Park (5/2). The zoning section notes “First Look” meetings for 1619 N Artesian (feedback requested) and a rescheduled-development request at 1028 N Ashland, plus a City Council Rule 41 notice related to formalizing Ald. Bennett Lawson’s chairmanship of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards (which La Spata co-sponsors). Other announcements include Pre-K Week tours at Otis Elementary, Taste of Chicago vendor applications due 4/20, and the Jumping Jack application portal opening 4/15.
In the 1st Ward newsletter (Alderman not specified), the city update focuses on Grand Avenue Reconstruction: Stage 1 (Damen Ave to Ashland Ave) is scheduled for 2026 with one-lane traffic shifts and full parking restrictions; Stage 2 (Ashland Ave to Ogden Ave) is set to begin in 2027, also with lane reductions and full parking restrictions to avoid disrupting the Chicago Ave/Halsted St detour route. The newsletter also highlights outcomes from the initial Grand reconstruction segment (including fewer pedestrian injuries and zero severe crashes) and previews Stage 3 features (islands, lighting/signal upgrades, and street improvements) as TBD.
Other major announcements include greenfest on April 11 in Wicker Park, spring bike tune-up at Pulaski Park with walk-ups allowed, and upcoming zoning “First Look” meetings (including a virtual First Look on April 13 for 1028 N Ashland).
Ald. La Spata’s 1st Ward newsletter highlights upcoming infrastructure and public works changes, including the April 1 start of the 2026 street sweeping season and the Grand Avenue reconstruction launching in the coming weeks. It also discusses housing/development items such as a pending crane permit for 1628 W Division and a requested neighborhood meeting, plus ongoing policy work on regulating video gaming terminals and City Council consideration of a major tax incentive tied to the United Center redevelopment. Other announcements include a spring day of service and greenfest (plus a spring bike tune-up), and a CCPSA special meeting with CPD Superintendent Snelling on April 2 alongside First Fridays on April 3.
On March 30, the 1st Ward will host a virtual First Look meeting to review a rezoning proposal for 1619 North Artesian, which would add a third floor to a non‑conforming 4‑unit residence. The Committee on Pedestrian & Traffic Safety is gathering data on flooded bike lanes to inform future street‑safety improvements, and the office is coordinating a free bike tune‑up on April 25 in partnership with Commissioner Bridget Degnen. Other community highlights include a free hot‑meal distribution with Islamic Relief USA tomorrow and a Wicker Park park‑clean‑up kickoff on April 11.
The 1st Ward will host a Virtual First Look on March 30 to review a rezoning proposal for 1619 North Artesian, adding a third floor and redistributing units, and a Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability meeting on March 26 will address CPD oversight and the Welcoming City Ordinance. The Ward’s Committee on Pedestrian & Traffic Safety is collecting data on flooded bike lanes to inform future street safety improvements. Residents can also enjoy free hot meals tomorrow at West Town Library, a park cleanup on April 11, and a free bike tune‑up on April 25, with additional community events such as Earth Week and a rally on April 1 against a proposed Peoples Gas rate hike.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced upcoming zoning reviews, including a March 30 virtual First Look for rezoning 1619 North Artesian and a committee recommendation for subdividing the Josephinum School lot, and a meeting with the Department of Planning and Development on the 1628 W Division permit. He also introduced a proposed ordinance to enforce minority‑owned and women‑owned business participation and city‑resident hiring goals in development projects, and a living‑wage resolution for musicians slated for spring introduction. Additional community updates include a free hot‑meal event at the West Town Library, a new scholarship fund application, and youth job opportunities through Chicago Youth Works.
The 1st Ward Chief of Staff Nick announced a March 30 virtual “First Look” meeting to review the 1619 N Artesian rezoning proposal and other zoning inquiries, expediting several development cases. The city’s bond rating downgrade and planned 2026 General Obligation issuances—over $500 million for operating expenses and $290 million for infrastructure—highlight upcoming budget and infrastructure spending. Other updates include a participatory budgeting survey, Waymo autonomous‑vehicle testing, community violence prevention efforts, a free hot‑meal event, the Logan Square Arts Festival, and a job readiness fair.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward has launched a Participatory Budgeting survey to gather residents’ infrastructure priorities, including funding for an all‑way pedestrian scramble at North, Milwaukee, and Damen and improved pedestrian infrastructure at Cortland and Western. The 1st Ward is also moving forward with a city‑wide pilot for an automated public toilet at the Polish Triangle, funded through menu money, and has announced that the Chicago Park District will accept PB submissions until March 31. Additional community updates include a March 22 cleanup event, limited‑time affordable‑housing waitlists at several apartments, and a $1 million scholarship fund from the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced the capital improvement plan, highlighting budgeted projects including the reconstruction of Grand Avenue, replacement of a 120‑year‑old water main on Milwaukee Avenue, and lighting upgrades on California and Armitage. The ward will also host a public hearing on March 6 to discuss applying for EPA loans for lead service line replacement, while ongoing sidewalk inspection data shows low repair routing and CDOT’s policy changes are under review. Residents are invited to upcoming community events such as a bingo night on March 10 and a virtual immigration workshop, and the alderman will be on paternity leave for the next ten weeks.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward highlights the Clean and Affordable Homes Ordinance, a policy he co‑sponsored that sets emissions standards for new construction, and urges residents to apply for state‑funded free solar grants before May 29. He shares his own decarbonization journey and notes the passing of Jesse Jackson Sr. as a reminder of social justice. The newsletter also thanks seniors for a Valentine’s brunch and promotes a Saturday animal adoption event and a food pantry for students and families.
Alderman La Spata reports that the Finance Committee will vote on ordinances to advance the Congress Theater development and to enforce MBE/WBE hiring transparency, while the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety passed a resident‑based reporting ordinance creating a parking enforcement task force and a real‑time dispatch system. The city will not expand sidewalk delivery robots beyond the current pilot, and two water‑main sewer lining projects will run Feb. 13‑14 with lane closures and detours. Office closures for Lincoln’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day are scheduled, and the 2026 Wicker Park Bucktown Neighborhood Guide will be unveiled tomorrow.
Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the CTA will roll out charcoal‑activated air filters and increased police presence at the Clark/Lake stop to curb smoking, while renewing contracts with social‑service agencies to assist unhoused riders. The ward’s zoning committee is moving a transit‑served, four‑story, 21‑unit affordable‑housing proposal for 1805 N. Campbell to the City Council, and the North Avenue substation at North and Damen has been completed, with the California Blue Line station rehabilitation slated to begin this spring. Additional updates include a food‑delivery‑robot presentation, a Complete Streets meeting, and a February East Village Association meeting on blanket B3 zoning and tavern moratoriums.