32nd Ward Newsletter December 5, 2025 | | |
Greetings!
Now that the icy and snowy weather has hit Chicago, please remember to shovel your sidewalk. Clearing your sidewalk is not only the law in Chicago, but it is the responsible thing to do to help others. Please clear a wide path through snow and ice, especially for seniors and people with disabilities to walk more easily. If you can, lend a hand to a neighbor in need. See below for more winter information.
A reminder that the annual Toys for Tots Parade goes down Western this Sunday. Click here for more information.
Have a good weekend.
Alderman Scott Waguespack
| | |
2026 City Budget News
As many of you know, the Mayor has rejected the alternatives City Council members proposed weeks ago, via a response he sent this week.
Our alternative budget best protects Chicago’s financial future and working families. Many of the 26 colleagues who signed onto the alternative budget will be meeting with the mayor's staff this weekend to discuss the budget. We are in a time of fiscal distress, self-imposed by the mayor, but we are providing options, many that came from the EY report paid for by city taxpayers. We are not cutting back on public safety, nor closing schools as the mayor contends. In fact, under our budget approach CPS will still be getting the full amount they are entitled to from the roughly $1 Billion TIF surplus.
We are facing very difficult choices and must put ourselves in the best financial footing possible. The Mayor's budget is anti business and anti working family. The head tax alone would do damage to small, medium and large businesses throughout our city and is opposed by many businesses we talk to.
Other aspects of the budget like borrowing hundreds of millions for operating expenses is bad governing and something we did away with years ago. The Mayor's budget borrowing plan is also putting hundreds of millions more in repayments directly on the backs of our children. These and other bad financial practices would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars more in future interest through additional credit downgrades.
As City Council members representing Chicago’s 2.7 million residents, it is our obligation to stand up against Mayor Johnson's budget that will hurt working
families today, and our children tomorrow. Our kids will inherit his irresponsible borrowing that leads to greater long term costs. We will be burdened for decades by a plan that damages economic growth, undermines required pension payments, takes away tools to spur neighborhood development and lacks needed structural efficiencies, spending and revenue options.
Our alternative proposal touches a small portion of the City budget, yet will keep the city standing. We could do much more by implementing every possible option in the Ernst and Young (EY) report and including ideas from aldermen who have provided other options. We have been very consistent while the Johnson Administration has been holding budget information hostage and blocking efforts at real cooperation and collaboration. It is not democratic and not good governing for our city.
We will meet with the Mayor’s budget team to reset the budget and will work to pass a budget that protects residents and businesses of Chicago. We must pass a budget by December 31st, so we will continue our efforts to collaborate where we can and keep our lcoal government running into the new year.
| | |
December CAPS Meetings
14th Police District
1433- December 16, 6pm
Pulaski Park
1419 W. Blackhawk
1434- December 17, 6pm
Bucktown Wicker Park Library
1701 N. Milwaukee
caps.014district@chicagopolice.org
14th District Twitter
14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261
| | |
CPD Holiday Safety Tips
The holidays bring an increase in crimes like theft and burglary, so this is a reminder to keep safe and secure now and throughout the year and remember to watch out for neighbors and friends. Do not leave your car running and walk away for coffee, deliveries or while getting gas.
Packages: In past years, there have been thefts of packages that were left on porches. If you are receiving packages, make sure you have them sent to a location where you or someone you trust will be available to receive them (such as your office). If you are going to be out of town, make sure to arrange for someone to receive your package. You can also have them delivered to an Amazon or UPS locker.
Be alert: Walk confidently with your head up and stay in well-lit and well-traveled areas. Pay attention to your surroundings. Many robberies occur when the criminal approaches from behind, so make sure to glance behind you on occasion. Make sure not to wear headphones/earbuds so that you can hear if someone comes up behind you. If you carry a purse, keep it front of you and close to your body. You can do this covering the flap or clasp with your hand or forearm. Never leave your purse in a shopping cart or on a counter while you pay for your purchases. Stay off your cell phone- smartphone thefts have been a major issue in recent years.
Be discreet: Never carry large amounts of money. If possible, use credit cards or checks instead of cash. Be sure to tear up any receipts that may be used to complete the transaction. Credit card fraud can ruin your holiday season. Thieves and pickpockets are more likely to be attracted by expensive clothes and jewelry.
Secure your car: Cars are an easy target for criminals. Park your car as close to your destination as possible and in a well-lit area. While driving, leave at least a full length of car space between you and the cars in front of you. Always make sure to lock your doors even if you are only going to be gone for a few minutes. As the temperatures drop, it can be tempting to leave your car running to warm it up- this is one of the main ways cars are stolen in the winter. When shopping, remember to store your packages in the trunk of the car, not on the backseat. Criminals can be on the lookout for unsuspecting shoppers who simply drop their purchases into the car and then return to keep shopping. Whether you are shopping or going out to a bar or restaurant, it is best to put your items in the truck before you get to your destination. When returning to your car or home, have your keys ready in your hand. Lock your doors immediately upon entering your vehicle and always drive with your doors locked. When at gas stations, shut off your vehicle, hold on to your keys and phone and then use the pumps.
Secure your home: Now that it is getting dark earlier, make sure your outdoor lights are on at night. Motion sensor lights are a good idea as well. When you are out shopping, leave some lights on inside your home as well. Make sure to close your blinds or curtains to prevent people from viewing what you have in your home. If you have a security system, make sure it is armed, even if you are going to be out for only a short while. You may also want to let a neighbor know if you will be out of the house for a longer amount of time so that they can keep an eye on your house. If you are going on vacation and it snows, ask a neighbor to shovel your sidewalk or make a path in the snow so that it looks like someone is home.
Disposal: Leaving a big screen TV box in the alley advertises exactly what you have in your house. Make sure to break down boxes and turn them inside out to prevent this. Even better, put the boxes out the day before your recycling pick-up.
* Chicago Police Department
| | Daily Residential Parking Passes for 2026 | | |
The TEAL 2025 Daily Residential Parking Permits will expire on December 31st, 2025. We are now selling the new PINK 2026 parking passes. The PINK 2026 passes can be used immediately and will not expire until December 31st, 2026. Please make sure to use up any teal ones before the end of the year as they cannot be exchanged for the pink 2026 ones, nor can you get a refund.
You can also purchase your stickers online at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com.
| | | |
Fletcher (Hoyne to Oakley) Water Main Project Update 12/5/2025
Both Crews will be working on Lead Service Line Replacements on the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Fletcher and the 3100 block of Leavitt. Residents of the specific addresses will be notified by the Water Department as to their date.
Water Service Interruptions:
No scheduled water main shutdown unless if there is any emergency. DWM will provide advance notice before any service interruptions.
Traffic & Parking Impacts:
No parking will be allowed within the active work zone during construction hours.
In addition to contacting our office with questions, residents can look for a crew member on the street wearing a white hard hat to have questions answered immediately.
| | |
Important Board of Review Update:
APPEAL YOUR ASSESSMENT
Effective December 3, the Cook County Board of Review reopened previously closed townships for assessment appeals. These townships will be open for appeal December 3–12, 2025. Visit this link to view open townships and file an appeal. No further action is required if you have already submitted an appeal within this year's cycle.
Jefferson Township is currently open and will close on December 19th.
| | |
13 Month Payment Plan Available for Property Tax Bills
Second installment Cook County property taxes are due Dec. 15 for nearly 1.8 million Cook County properties. That means property owners have less than two weeks to pay in full to avoid late-payment interest charges. The bills were mailed Nov. 14.
“I know coming up with the money to pay property tax bills can be difficult,” Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said. “That’s why I’m reminding people that the bills are due ten days before Christmas. If possible, pay before the due date so you don’t get charged state-mandated late fees.”
Property owners unable to pay their tax bills in full by Dec. 15, should look at a free online financial planning tool that helps you make smaller, more manageable payments over time.
It’s called the Payment Plan Calculator and it’s available Dec. 16 — one day after the due date — at cookcountytreasurer.com. The calculator lets you:
- Set up a schedule to pay off a tax bill in smaller increments instead of all at once.
- Choose between making payments once or twice a month.
-
Create a personalized plan for catching up on delinquent taxes if you owe more than $100.
And you don’t have to wait to sign up. You can register right now at cookcountytreasurer.com! After you enter your information, you’ll receive an emailed reminder from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office to set up your payment plan when the calculator goes live after the due date has passed.
Once the Payment Plan Calculator goes live on Dec. 16, just follow the steps below:
-
Go to cookcountytreasurer.com and click on the purple box.
- Enter the 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) or the property address to get your tax information.
- Scroll down until you see your bills, then click the red “Payment Plan Calculator” button which appears if a bill is delinquent.
- Review the disclaimer and click “continue.”
- Choose how often you want to make payments — monthly or twice monthly.
- The calculator will automatically show a recommended payment schedule to help you pay off your balance before the next Annual Tax Sale.
- Select Summary View to quickly compare dates, amounts and your remaining balance.
- Or switch to Detailed View for a full breakdown of every payment.
- When you find a plan that fits your budget, download or print your personalized schedule to track your payments.
- You can also sign up for free email or text alerts, so you never miss a payment reminder.
- Or pay right away by clicking Pay Now.
During those 13 months, interest will be charged at 9% a year, or 0.75% a month.
“The annual interest rate was 18% but my office fought for and won legislative reforms in Springfield that cut the rate in half,” Pappas said.
Though the state-mandated interest rate charges can’t be avoided, the Payment Plan Calculator is designed to help you avoid borrowing from a credit card company or having to pay back or ‘redeem’ your taxes after they’re sold to a tax buyer. The calculator is a tool that should help more Cook County residents pay off their back taxes and remain in their largest investment, home sweet home.
| | |
Winter Weather Is Finally Here!
Some Reminders and Tips
As frigid weather and snow hits Chicago, I hope you can take the time to watch over your neighbors in need. The Office of Emergency Management is prepared to assist where they can. When temperatures are at 32 degrees or below, warming areas are available at the City’s six community service centers from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. The warming areas are available for all residents in need of safe refuge and relief from extreme cold weather. City-operated libraries and park facilities also may activate warming areas if needed, including during evening hours, weekends, and holidays. For assistance after hours, residents should call 311 to be connected to available services – including placement to an available shelter bed. Click here for more info on cold weather resources.
Cold-Weather Tips:
-
Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic, and others or requiring emergency services.
-
Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For winter preparation information visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.
- Avoid unnecessary trips outside if you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
- Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.
- Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoor.
- Stay dry because moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
- Pay extra attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Don’t forget your pets; bring them inside during bitter cold and numbing wetness to stay safe and warm.
-
Click here for more cold weather tips.
Winter Storm Tips:
-
Make sure your emergency supply kit is stocked and winter storm ready.
- Buy salt (preferably pet friendly) to melt ice on walkways and sand to improve traction.
- Keep emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove, kerosene heater, or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room of your house warm enough. If you have a wood burning fireplace, store a supply of firewood.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your family knows how to use them.
-
Winterize your home. Insulate walls, attics, doors, and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
- Do not overexert yourself or work outside for extended periods of time.
For timely updates and other information on weather preparedness, follow OEMC on Twitter via the handle @ChicagoOEMC and sign up for free emergency alerts.
-
Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org
- CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
- CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
| | Lakeview and Roscoe Village Winter Events
and Gift Guides | |
Lakeview Holiday Gift Guide:
- Our curated neighborhood shopping guide encourages our community to shop local! SSA 27 is sponsoring a raffle with over $2,000 worth of prizes. To enter, all you have to do is shop at a local business and submit the receipt! More info in the gift guide.
- Lakeview Holiday Gift Guide
Roscoe Village Holiday Gift Guide:
| | Don’t let broken string lights tangle up your holidays – recycle them with us! Drop off your non-working holiday string lights between now and January 31 and Reduce Waste Chicago will take them to be properly recycled. Be sure your lights are separated from other decor and are free from other packaging (no plastic bags, please), then drop them off during our regular working hours. Click here for more info. | | Sign Up to Be an Election Judge! | |
- You must be a US citizen and a registered voter in Cook County - and you can earn up to $230 for your service. Being bilingual is especially helpful.
- High School Juniors and Seniors can also apply. Do you know a student with a GPA above 3.0 and an interest in government? Let them know they can serve as an election judge and see how democracy works from behind the polling place curtain.
-
You can go to pollworker.chicagoelections.gov or call 312-269-7984 to learn more and apply.
| | |
Better Streets for Buses Plan Public Meetings
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) have established the City’s first comprehensive framework plan to improve street infrastructure for public bus service: the Better Streets for Buses Plan.
This plan lays the groundwork for ongoing bus infrastructure improvements by establishing a network of corridors to prioritize, and a toolbox of street treatments to consider as solutions. The Better Streets for Buses Plan does not assign specific street treatments to corridors, but feedback gathered through the outreach process will help guide future bus priority improvements citywide. You can find more details here.
Community members are invited to share feedback through in-person and virtual public meetings, as well as smaller discussion groups with key stakeholders. You’ll get a chance to see different street design options, tell the CTA what works best for your community, make sure we understand the things you currently like and dislike about the parts of the corridor you use most, and weigh in on tradeoffs around how street space is used. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of bus travel on your streets!
| | |
Virtual Meeting:
Monday, December 8, 2025
6 – 7:30pm
More information/RSVP here
| | City of Chicago Office of Inspector General Survey | | |
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published two draft documents that share details of proposed projects under consideration for 2026. Both documents are posted on OIG’s website for public review and comment.
Click here to read the 2026 Public Safety Draft Annual Plan
- OIG’s Public Safety section works to improve the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of the Chicago Police Department and Chicago’s police accountability agencies.
Click here to read the 2026 Audit and Program Review Draft Annual Plan
- OIG’s Audit and Program Review section conducts independent, objective analyses and evaluations of City programs and operations.
Community feedback helps OIG prioritize projects for the coming year to align with what is of most concern and importance to all Chicagoans. OIG invites you to explore both draft plans and encourages you to provide your feedback by taking the community feedback survey at igchicago.org/survey.
| | |
Water Works is a no-cost program for young people ages 16–24 that provides multiple levels of swim instruction, safety certifications, and career development focused on water-related professions. The program runs from January 5 through March 21 and is designed to equip participants with valuable life-saving skills, introduce them to water-based career pathways, and strengthen overall community safety.
Apply now! 2026 Water Works Application Link
| | |
2026 CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy
2026 CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, an adult workforce development program designed to prepare job seekers for entry-level careers in energy, construction, and related industries.
This 11-week program provides:
- Technical training and preparation for industry-required prerequisite testing
- Job readiness and life skills training
- Credentials including CDL Permit-A, OSHA-10, and modules of the NCCER Core Construction Basics
Powered by a coalition of 20+ industry partners and 8 community-based nonprofit organizations, CONSTRUCT has graduated over 950 participants, with more than 70% securing employment since its inception.
Program Timeline:
- Start: Early January
- Completion: Mid-April
To learn more or enroll, please contact one of the participating workforce partners listed below.
| | |
Alderman Scott Waguespack
2657 North Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-1330
info@ward32.org
| | | | | | |
