Dear Scott,

I hope you are enjoying the great weather today as we spring in another Chicago summer.

Attached are a couple of letters regarding the $175 million pension payment dispute with CPS. First, a letter from some City Council members to Mayor regarding the $175 million MEABF payment for this year and the Mayor's letter in response to the group.

While we have known for some time that Covid period funds were on a tight timeline for closure, this year's City budget maintained high amounts of funding for City staff and services that were pressure of folding up. Earlier today, President Trump's Administration cut funds to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Effective this week, Trump cut $125 million in grant funds.  

There is a link to a Chicago Board of Elections survey below and if you have five to ten minutes they need input on upcoming elections from voters.

Street cleaning starts Monday April 1st in Lakeview within the boundaries of Section 4- Roscoe to Belmont and Ravenswood to Southport. You can also view the Dept. of Streets and Sanitation maps here for all wards in the City. Note one side of the street (East/West or North/South) will be swept on the first date, and the other side of the street (East/West or North/South) will be swept on the second date.  Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool.  

Have a nice weekend,



Alderman Scott Waguespack

2025 Street Cleaning Calendar

Street cleaning starts on Tuesday, April 1st. Sweepers will do more than one pass on the block in their initial cleaning but will not come back to clean sections outside of their officially scheduled day.

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 4 and 5 (West Lakeview and Hamlin Park). Click on the map above to see your section's schedule.

Please be on the lookout for signs and make sure to move your vehicle on your scheduled day (south and east sides of the street are normally done on the first day, north and west on the second; please watch for signs).

Please take the time to help clear the curb in front of your property to keep the sewers flowing well. Any leftover landscaping debris from winter months should be bagged and put in the alley by your trash cans. Please do not sweep landscaping debris into the street. Piles of leaves and heavy garbage also clog the sweepers and will cause significant delays. Other large objects like branches and metal will also damage the sweepers, so please remove them from curbs.

Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool. 

CPS City Dispute Over Payment of $175 Million for Pension Reimbusement

Attached are two letters regarding the disputed $175 million pension payment for the CPS non-teacher workers. Several of my colleagues and I on the City Council sent a letter to the Mayor to have more openness and transparency on the expenditure of any funds related to the pension payment, as we did last year in briefings and public meetings. We specifically asked that any authorization for any fund relocation or reappropriation needed to cover the FY2024 Budget deficit, including reserves, surpluses and departmental turnover be put in the open where taxpayers can see what was voted on. That will not be the path he takes.

The Mayor's office responded today with their own perspective of the situation, that unfortunately does not provide any detailed response or options. This issue was not one of the concerns that was part of the Mayor's to do list in Springfield in order to help CPS. The letter does blame CPS and Pedro Martinez for the shortfall despite the CPS budget being approved by Mayor Johnson's handpicked board.

Earlier today, State Representative Curtis Tarver (D) Chicago filed a bill for a state takeover of CPS.

Related Articles:

• Mayor Johnson lacks the votes to compel CPS to make city pension payment, giving him days to find the cash
• CPS staff in a political tug-of-war: What to know about Chicago’s $175 million pension battle

Public Safety Section

Lincoln Park Sewer Main Project #7158

Weekly Update

Status: (In progress, sewer side only: 90%)

• Schubert from Southport to Lakewood: mainline sewer installed, installation of catch basins completed, corrective work completed.

• Lakewood from Schubert to Wrightwood: mainline sewer and catch basins installed; reconnection of last private drain in progress.

• Wayne from Schubert to 250 feet south: mainline sewer installed; installation of catch basins completed, corrective work completed.

• Greenview from alley north of Altgeld to Lill: installation of mainline sewer, PDs, and catch basins completed.

• Altgeld from Greenview to Janssen: installation of mainline sewer completed; installation of catch basins as well as private drain transfers in progress.

• Janssen from Altgeld to 40 feet south: mainline sewer installed.

• The CDWM crew will continue working on the transfer of the north private drains of the 1500 block of Altgeld.

• There won’t be any interruption of either gas or water services unless of an emergency.

Traffic Control:

• Altgeld will remain closed from Greenview to Janssen during working hours. There might be nightly closures. 

• No parking signs are posted on all streets.

Help Keep Crucial SSA Services in West Lakeview

West Lakeview Special Service Area (SSA) 27’s 15 year term ends 12/31/2025, and must go through a renewal process throughout 2025 in order for West Lakeview to keep crucial SSA services such as Litter Pickup, Landscaping, Holiday Decor, Outdoor Furniture Maintenance, Community Events (such as Lincoln Brunch Fest and the Lakeview Tree Lighting Ceremony), Public Art, and more.

To keep West Lakeview safe, beautiful, and fun, they will require 20% of signatures representing all Property Index Numbers (PIN) within the SSA 27 boundaries by August 1st, and you can help. 

SSA 27 Boundaries include:

• Southport: 3150 to 3880 (Byron to Belmont)
• Lincoln: 2800 to 3599 (Addison to Diversey)
• Ashland: 2800 to 3599 (Addison to Diversey)
• Belmont: 1200 to 1799 (Racine to Ravenswood)
• Any side-street intersecting the above-listed streets, up to the first alley or 100ft if no alley is present

For more info, please refer to lakeviewssa27.com/reconstitution and/or reach out to robert@lrvcc.org to inquire on how to sign for your PIN.

Chicago Board of Elections Survey

CDPH Advises All to Confirm Measles Vaccination

As of March 14, a total of 301 measles cases were reported in 2025 across 15 jurisdictions in the United States, including two deaths, the first U.S. measles deaths in over a decade. This is already a higher nationwide total of cases than the entirety of 2024. 

To date, no case of measles has been identified in Chicago or Illinois in 2025. However, measles is highly contagious; if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not immune. It can also cause severe disease, long-term complications, and—in rare cases—death. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides long-lasting protection. 

All Chicagoans are encouraged to review their immunization records or contact their healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on MMR vaccine. Immunization records recorded in the Illinois immunization registry can be accessed using the Illinois Department of Public Health Vax Verify portal. 

CDPH offers MMR vaccinations for anyone who needs them, regardless of insurance status, at CDPH Immunization Clinics throughout the city. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is highly encouraged. Create an account and register for an appointment at getvaxchi.chicago.gov or by calling the clinic. 

Lakeview Egg Hunt - April 19, 11am-12pm

The brand new Easter-themed Lakeview Egg Hunt is perfect for families and small children, located at Lincoln & Wellington. Enjoy a 100% free Easter Bunny photo opportunity, giveaways, a small-scale Egg Hunt with eggs including candy for kids, and small gift cards and coupons from Lakeview businesses for parents. Funded and hosted by SSA 27. Learn more here.

Jumping Jack Program Opens April 15th!

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announce that the Jumping Jack Portal will open on Tuesday, April 15 at 8:00 a.m. The Jumping Jack (inflatable bounce house) is available, free of charge, to Residential Block Parties within the city limits from Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, August 31. Mark your calendar because the requests are first come first serve!

Please note these program is for City of Chicago block parties only. Events on private property, in parks, in forest preserves, at schools, libraries or churches, private parties, birthday parties, community events, and festivals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must live on the block where the party is held.

The online application can be found here or by logging onto ChicagoNeighborhoodFestivals.us.

City Sticker Amnesty Program

The Office of the City Clerk is bringing back City Sticker Amnesty Month. This means the City Clerk's office is waiving City Sticker penalties to make it easier for Chicago drivers to come into compliance during the month of April. Visit one of the City Clerk or Department of Finance locations to purchase a City Sticker with no late and back fees from Tuesday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Click here for more information.

City News

• Feud between CTU, SEIU threatens Mayor Johnson's political future
• The City Is Waiving Sticker Penalties for Chicago Drivers for All of April
• City, State Expecting To Lose Half A Billion Dollars For Public Health As Trump Cuts Swell
• 16 New Speed Cameras Will Go Live Across Chicago Next Week — And More Are Coming Soon
• In texts, Gov. JB Pritzker expressed doubts about Mayor Brandon Johnson amid rumors United Airlines might move
• Illinois lawmaker proposes state takeover of Chicago Public Schools
• Brandon Johnson takes campaign cash from lawyer whose firm is suing City Hall