32nd Ward Newsletter May 2, 2025

Dear Scott,

National Small Business Week starts next week, May 4th to May 9th. Now is a good time to throw extra support behind your favorite local small businesses that play a pivotal role in our communities. Last night, I had the opportunity to spend more time with dozens of Chicago small business leaders at a gathering for the Small Business Advisory Council, Illinois (SBAC-IL) to discuss everything from legislation to taxes and more at all levels of government and what we can do to improve the state of our small business community in Chicago. We have had some legislative successes partnering with the SBAC and have many more lined up. You can read more about the important advocacy work the SBAC is doing in Illinois and in the City here. Even if you are member of one of our many local chambers of commerce in the 32nd Ward, look into learning more about the SBAC as well.

With spring in full swing, landscaping companies are hitting the parkways and yards. Landscaping companies are required to clean the street where they are working if they sweep or blow debris off parkways. We are also continuing to take tree planting requests. Trees can only be planted in areas of your parkway that are free of obstructions such as sewer or water lines, existing stumps that need to be removed, or other utilities.  

If you received a new tree this year, don’t forget to water it often. Water trees around the base. Add about 2-4 inches of mulch around your tree but do not pile it at the trunk (or anywhere where it could go into the street). If you have a tree with a parkway planter built around it, you should remove the dirt or mulch from around the trunk to avoid killing the tree. 

Since we instituted the Urban Forestry Advisory Board, we've seen some good changes in the management of Chicago's Trees but need more trees, and more volunteers, to manage the City's canopy. You can help by becoming a Treekeeper via Openlands, and learn how to obtain an Openlands TreePlanters Grant. You can also download this Help Trees Thrive flyer.

On April 30, the Committee on Public Safety debated on the curfew proposal to prevent "takeovers" of city streets. Committee Chair Hopkins met with Aldermen Dowell and Ervin as well as Mayor Johnson's staff, Deputy Mayor Gatewood, CPD Superintendent Snelling, City corporation counsel, and other legal staff to compromise on a revised substitute curfew ordinance. The substitute discussed would give the CPD Superintendent authority to declare temporary curfews for unaccompanied minors as a lawful control measure against so-called "teen trends". The ordinance was held in the committee to have further discussions. The existing curfew for minors would be expanded and allow the Superintendent and Mayor's Office to declare a curfew earlier in the evening.

Also in the newsletter, input is being asked for on the policies to end certain police traffic stops in Chicago, an SSA#33 meeting on the rat birth control pilot, a bevy of upcoming family events in the ward, and more.

Have a good weekend,

Alderman Scott Waguespack

2025 Street Cleaning Calendar

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 16, 17, and 18 (Bucktown). 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). 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.

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. 

Public Safety Section

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) Looks to Remove Police Traffic Stops

The CCPSA Commission is looking to institute additional rules on the CPD to prohibit certain traffic stops. The proposals would become part of the Consent Decree. The department has a lengthy set of general orders for traffic stops and the proposed 15 page directives would be incorporated into new rules for stops.

CCPSA: Link to CPD's April 2025 draft traffic stops policy. CPD Traffic Stops Policy

CCPSA's April 21, 2025 response to CPD's draft policy. The Commission's response includes both a policy markup and a memo from Commissioners detailing their recommendations on various policy topics. CCPSA Response to CPD Policy

The CCPSA recommends ending stops for some violations like:

• a missing or improperly displayed front license plate
• displayed registration sticker that has expired within one year
• improper license plate fastening or positioning, where the license plate is otherwise clearly displayed
• improper rear-license-plate illumination
• one non-functioning headlight, tail light or brake light, during daylight hours, as long as the vehicle has at least one functioning headlight, tail light, and brake light
• operating a vehicle with a loud sound system

You can add your input here, or in writing to CPD, and the Commission.

CPD’s KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TIPS 

Temporary Closure Notice from the Wicker Park Bucktown Library

Bucktown-Wicker Park Library, 1701 N Milwaukee, will be closed to the public and staff from Monday, May 5^th through Saturday, May 17th, reopening on Sunday, May 18th due to installation of new carpeting. All programming and meetings will be canceled for that week. If you have any questions, call the library at 312-744-6022

Lincoln Park Sewer Main Project #7158

Weekly Update

Status: The first steps of restoration for the project has already started on Janssen, Altgeld, and Greenview. It should begin on Schubert, Lakewood, and Wayne in the next 2-3 weeks after all Lead Service Lines Replacements are completed. Repaving is expected to be completed in early June.

While we apologize for any inconvenience, the work is necessary for the City to come into compliance with laws on lead service lines. When crews are not working, it can be due to weather or to allow a couple days for seals to cure on water or sewer pipes. Working in open pits of any kind is dangerous work so crews have to take extra care on any underground project.

Street & Alley Projects

Each year, Alderman Waguespack works with the Chicago Department of Transportation to identify and allocate funding for the resurfacing of streets and alleys in the Ward. The following list includes streets and alleys currently scheduled for resurfacing work over the next three weeks.

Streets Projected Grind

Wrightwood (Lakewood to Racine) 5/5/2025

Dickens (Leavitt to Hoyne) 5/7/2025

Alleys

Dickens (Armitage, Wolcott, Honore) 5/6/2025

Wellington (George, Hoyne, Seeley) 5/7/2025

School (Melrose, Damen, Wolcott) 5/7/2025

Cornelia (Roscoe, Hoyne, Hamilton) 5/8/2025

Alleys Projected Paving

Oakdale (George Ashland Greenview) 4/23/2025

Vehicle Violation Debt Relief Program

April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025

This program allows all motorists, regardless of income, to resolve eligible violations at a reduced cost, by paying only the base fine—with penalties and fees fully waived—as long as full payment is made by June 30, 2025.

Eligible violations include:

• Non-meter parking tickets and standing violations.
• Compliance violations (e.g., expired registration, no City sticker, or missing license plate).
• Automated speed and red-light camera tickets.
• A Notice of Final Determination must have been issued on or before December 31, 2023.

Additional program features:

• Tickets currently enrolled in a payment plan are eligible, if paid in full by June 30, 2025.
• Seizure-related fees (towing, storage, booting, etc.) are also waived with limited exceptions.
• Exclusions include expired meter tickets and any violation where the City has filed a case in court or has initiated administrative proceedings to collect the debt.

No application is required—eligible tickets have been adjusted and will reflect the applicable waivers until June 30, 2025. To learn more about these programs and to search or pay for tickets, visit: www.Chicago.gov/VDR or call (312) 744-7275 (Monday – Friday, 7 AM–7 PM).

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.

Wicker Park and Bucktown Rat Birth Control Pilot for Residents

Tuesday, May 6th

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Pulaski Park Fieldhouse

1419 W Blackhawk St

Learn more about the ethical resources available to you to help curtail WPB's rat population!

Meet with Special Service Area #33 and SenesTech to discuss the rat birth control program and discover how residents can get involved!

Celebrate National Small Business Week

National Small Business Week (NSBW) will take place May 4th to May 9th. NSBW, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the vital contributions of small businesses in Chicago.

In recognition of NSBW, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will host webinars on:

• Tuesday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m.: Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Businesses presented by BACP
• Wednesday, May 7 at 3:00 p.m.: City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers presented by BACP, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Buildings
• Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m.: Steps to Obtain a Business License presented by BACP
• Friday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m.: Small Business Development Grants presented by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development

The BACP free business education webinars are a long-standing program designed to prepare and empower entrepreneurs and business owners for success. Learn more and register by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars.

BACP ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers in the City of Chicago. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, regulates business activity, protects consumers from fraud, enforces Chicago’s labor laws, partners with business service organizations, and provides education and resources for businesses. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BACP.  

Get your tickets now and join us for Give to Grow Night on Saturday, May 3rd from 7-10 PM at Pizzeria Serio – Adults only. Our parent-driven fundraiser is a great time to connect with parents, alumni, community supporters, faculty, and staff - all for the benefit of Jahn School of Fine Arts students and programs. Invite friends and family to an evening of food and refreshments, music and socializing, and an opportunity to give to Jahn through a live donation appeal. 

Tickets include $25-$75 food and drink packages to keep you fed and your drinks full all night. Purchase tickets at the link: https://G2G2025.givesmart.com.

Teen Summer Jobs with ComEd!

Lincoln Park Uncorked: Armitage – Halsted Wine Stroll Is Next Week!

Don’t miss your chance to sample nearly 40 wines paired with delicious bites from Lincoln Park restaurants next week at Lincoln Park Uncorked!

Thursday, May 8

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Check-In: Wintrust Bank - Lincoln Park

935 W. Armitage

Prices increase on Sunday, May 4 – don’t delay reserving your tickets!

Get them here!

City News

• The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious
• Bond Ratings Trend Analysis
• The Parking Meter Was Paid, but Minutes Later, a $70 Ticket From Chicago
• Reduced Hours at Chicago’s City Animal Pound May Be Creating More Work for Police
• Chicago Mayor May Find Resistance to Revenue Push at Illinois Capitol
• He Was an Undercover Cop and Dennis Rodman’s Security Guard. Now, He Keeps the Phillies Safe
• Editorial: A Big Canadian Developer Just Says No to Chicago Political Extortion
• Paris on Politics: Chicago Curfew Debate, Mayor Johnson in Springfield, Transit Troubles