Daniel La Spata

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced a February 2 virtual meeting to discuss the expansion of Serve and Coco food‑delivery robots, inviting residents to weigh in on this new business model. He also co‑sponsored a resolution at the February City Council meeting condemning ICE and called for its abolition, and highlighted the opening of a new playground and athletic field at Goethe Elementary, funded through aldermanic menu money and other sources. The newsletter also noted public meetings and an online webinar on the Bus Priority Corridor Study for Western Avenue, and mentioned community events such as a Valentine’s Day brunch for seniors and the Maker‑in‑Residence program.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announces a virtual meeting on February 2 to discuss the Serve and Coco food‑delivery robots, and notes a Rapid Response Training on January 27. He reports that the heat‑ordinance is in effect and that an ordinance authorizing a HUD 108 loan for the Congress Theater’s construction gap has cleared the Finance Committee, with full Council approval expected tomorrow. The newsletter also highlights the secured financing for the Congress Theater, the city’s warming‑center map for the cold snap, and community events such as a Valentine’s brunch for seniors, art classes at Haas Park, and library workshops.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced a virtual zoning meeting on February 6 to discuss Serve and Coco food‑delivery robots and highlighted a zoning inquiry for a 2‑flat rezoning at 2455 North California. He also referenced the City Council’s passage of the 2026 budget ordinances, noting that the mayor has not yet signed or vetoed them, and urged residents to review the budget blog. Other updates included a CPD‑ICE collaboration hearing, a rapid‑response training on January 27, a local school council candidate deadline on January 20, and a call for volunteers at Jose de Diego’s food pantry.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward announced that the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will hold a special meeting on January 8 to hear public comments on CPD‑ICE interactions. The ward also highlighted the launch of CDOT’s 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, opening for applications on January 12 as part of street‑safety efforts. Additionally, the newsletter reported the ward’s 2025 public‑safety statistics and La Spata’s upcoming family leave for the arrival of a second child.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the City Council passed the 2026 budget, preserving funding for gender‑based‑violence services, community safety, and the Chicago Public Library while the alderman opposed several budget ordinances. Groundbreaking this year on five park and open‑space projects and the start of two affordable‑housing developments are complemented by citywide reforms to transit‑oriented development and disabled‑permit parking policies. The office will be closed Dec 24–Jan 5; residents are invited to recycle holiday lights, attend a rapid‑response training, and take advantage of the holiday‑tree recycling program, while being cautioned about New Year’s Eve donation scams.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward reported on the Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, where he opposed the budget appropriations and management ordinances that were passed. He highlighted concerns over unrealistic revenue projections and the removal of oversight on police overtime and speed‑camera revenue, and he has submitted over $170 million in alternative revenue and savings proposals. La Spata emphasized the need for a balanced budget and pledged to continue working with colleagues to secure realistic revenue options.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward spent Monday and Tuesday in council and caucus meetings on the city budget, voting on a revenue ordinance, a property‑tax levy, a bond‑authorization ordinance, and a refinancing bond. He opposed the revenue ordinance because of speculative and regressive revenue sources, backed the property‑tax levy to fund library positions, voted against the first bond authorization due to insufficient infrastructure funding, and supported the refinancing bond for savings. Outside budget matters, the office highlighted its holiday gift drive, the office’s holiday break, a rapid‑response training event, and the upcoming Cookie Walk at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral.

City Council will meet next week, with the Finance and Budget committees scheduled, and the 1st Ward Office is soliciting feedback on budget proposals—including a revised head tax, a proposed increase in garbage collection fees, and borrowing to cover operating expenses. Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward invites residents to complete the survey and attend the ward office’s first‑ever Wrapping Mixer on December 13. The survey and upcoming meetings will shape the ward’s budget priorities for the coming year.

Alderman La Spata announced a courtesy public meeting on January 5, 2026 for Federales’ Public Place of Amusement license variation and highlighted ongoing budget discussions, including a property‑tax appeals analyst day on December 17. He emphasized budget priorities—securing funding for library books and domestic‑violence services while debating a community‑safety surcharge, advanced pension payments, and directing bond funds toward infrastructure rather than operating costs. The newsletter also promoted the final week of the 1st Ward holiday gift drive, a wrapping party on December 13, and a holiday‑lights recycling drop‑off.

On December 2, Alderman Daniel La Spata reported that the 1st Ward attended a Better Streets for Buses meeting where CTA and CDOT presented bus‑infrastructure improvement concepts for the 49/Western and 74/Fullerton routes, and he highlighted ongoing concerns about protected bike lanes and winter maintenance. He also warned that the city’s capital‑improvement plan proposes a 70 % cut to Complete Streets spending and a $4 million annual reduction in traffic‑safety projects, urging residents to push for alignment with actual infrastructure needs. In addition, the newsletter noted several zoning updates—including a pending ordinance for a 21‑unit redevelopment at 1805 North Campbell—and announced a holiday gift drive and property‑tax appeal window reopening.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward announced that the office will be closed for Thanksgiving and introduced a new budget blog that details the most budget ordinances he has filed, marking a significant fiscal‑responsibility effort. He also highlighted upcoming infrastructure work on the California Ave water main and emergency gas restoration at 801 N. Ashland, and the launch of 2026 residential daily passes. The newsletter promoted community food‑insecurity initiatives, a turkey distribution to seniors, a CPD training survey, a pop‑up market, and a virtual Know Your Rights town hall.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward reported that the council voted to delay the 2026 budget ordinances—including the Revenue Ordinance—after a narrow defeat, and that the ward secured $175 k from participatory budgeting to rehabilitate the dog‑friendly area of Wicker Bark park. He also noted a tragic shooting on the 1500 block of Honore, ongoing investigations, and the ward’s partnership with the 14th District to address gun violence. Additional community highlights include a senior resource fair with free vaccines, a Thanksgiving meal drive with Senator Graciela Guzman, and reminders about 2026 residential daily passes and property‑tax bills.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward outlines 2026 budget priorities, keeping staffing for housing, planning and small‑business development, adding 25 parking‑enforcement aides, and preserving ARPA‑funded public‑safety investments while proposing a budget amendment to restore domestic‑violence services and counter library‑book cuts. He will pursue greater transparency on speed‑camera revenue, introduce an ordinance on pension payments, and address the 12‑month hiring freeze to protect essential services, noting the recent budget town‑hall at Goethe Elementary. Other updates include a Veterans Day office closure, the reopening of Park #399, the launch of 2026 Residential Daily passes, and a virtual “Know Your Rights” event for parents and schools on November 13.

Alderman La Spata (1st Ward) highlights three key meetings: a Budget Town Hall with Mayor Johnson on November 8, a Better Streets for Buses Town Hall on December 1, and upcoming CTA/CDOT bus‑priority corridor study sessions. He also reports two development approvals—2240 N. Milwaukee (mixed‑use, 50 units) and 1805 N. Campbell (21‑unit residential)—and notes the budget discussion as a priority for city spending. Other announcements include the reopening of Park #399, the launch of 2026 Residential Daily passes, and a food‑drive effort for families impacted by SNAP cuts.

Al Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the office hosted a HUD‑108 meeting on financing for the Congress Theater, is urging residents to complete the 2026 budget survey, and is processing zoning inquiries for several properties, while a lobbying day in Springfield is underway to secure transit revenue for the ward. The newsletter also invites residents to RSVP for all zoning meetings, attend a Know‑Your‑Rights presentation on Nov 4, and participate in Rapid Response and Court‑Watch volunteer opportunities amid heightened ICE activity. Additional community updates include the annual Meet Me on Milwaukee event, pumpkin‑composting reminders, and public‑safety alerts for Halloween.

The 1st‑Ward newsletter contains no meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit updates, or street‑safety projects. It focuses on ICE activity in West Town, urging residents to report sightings, offering Know Your Rights resources, and announcing a workshop for business owners on Nov. 4. Alderman La Spata notes the office will be closed Sept. 27, and encourages residents to register for the workshop and visit the office for signs and volunteer opportunities.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward highlights the 2026 budget, noting a proposed twelve‑month hiring freeze, cuts to pension contributions, and the use of bonds for operating costs—issues that will shape city services and infrastructure spending. He also outlines participatory‑budgeting priorities for 2026, including an all‑way pedestrian scramble at North, Milwaukee, and Damen, improved pedestrian infrastructure at Cortland and Western, school‑safety‑zone upgrades near St. John Berchmans and Brentano Elementary, and the installation of the city’s first automated public bathroom. The newsletter closes with reminders to fill out the budget survey, volunteer for the final Meet Me On Milwaukee event, register for a Know‑Your‑Rights presentation, and attend a virtual meeting on the Logan Square Skate Park redesign, while noting the release of CDOT’s 2025 Traffic Crashes Annual Report.

Alderman Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward announced that the mayor’s budget address and the initial draft will be released this week, and he plans to scrutinize the budget to ensure it reflects ward priorities. He also launched an ICE‑Free Zones signage initiative to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement and urged community support. The newsletter promoted local events—including Boo‑Palooza, volunteer opportunities for the final Meet‑Me‑On‑Milwaukee, a property‑tax appeal seminar, and the BGA Budget Snapshots release.

Alderman La Spata of the 1st Ward reports that the Plow the Sidewalks Pilot was defeated, so Chicago will not receive municipal sidewalk snow‑clearance this winter. He also highlighted community input on the 2240 N. Milwaukee development proposal, the completion of Park 399, and upcoming street work on the alley south of N Milwaukee and on N Talman. Other updates include a Domestic Violence Awareness Month hearing, clarification on ICE‑related claims, an office closure for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, leaf‑removal guidance, and free vaccine clinics.

Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) announced a virtual community meeting on Oct 6 to discuss updated zoning plans for 2240 N Milwaukee, and highlighted ongoing community review updates for that site and for 1805 N Campbell, where developers propose 50‑unit mixed‑use and 21‑unit residential projects, respectively. The newsletter also detailed the final plans for a Wood Street bike greenway that will link Milwaukee Avenue to Augusta Boulevard, and noted Palmer Square Park’s new Level One Arboretum accreditation. Other highlights included the Meet Me On Milwaukee event, West Town Library and Art Walk activities, a city‑wide Clean‑Off competition, a Wicker Park Garden Club collage class, and the opening of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Program application.