32nd Ward Newsletter November 7, 2025

Greetings!

This week armed ICE officers barged into a daycare in the 47th Ward, Rayito de Sol, to aggressively detain a teacher with a work permit. I was appalled and horrified by these agents actions. Not only did they take someone who was legally permitted to work here, but they also took her in front of the daycare's children, entered private property and this safe space for kids without a signed judicial search warrant. Parents have also stated that the agents went room to room, shouting in front of the children and disrupting the sanctity of the daycare.


In response, I stood with Congressman Quigley, Alderman Martin (47th Ward), Congresswoman Delia Ramriez, Cook County Representative Bridge Degnan, other representatives, daycare workers and parents to denounce these actions. Chicago is proudly a sanctuary city but this assault on the kids senses was about more than that issue- it was this type of behavior by agents that was called out by a federal judge (Federal judge says border patrol chief admitted he lied, in ruling limiting federal agents’ use of force in Chicago). 


Our laws still protect Chicagoans like Mrs. Galieno, who showed she has a legal right to reside in the U.S. I believe strongly that Chicago is a city that should always welcome immigrants and many of the 32nd Ward residents believe that, too. I will continue to support our federal, state, and city officials in any legislation or legal actions against ICE in our City especally as they continue to also arrest our neighbors who are being subjected to violations of their rights, merely for being Latino.

On the 2026 budget front, some of my colleagues and I were able to get the Johnson Administration to voluntarily hold a hearing on the EY (Ernst & Young) report. Taxpayers want transparency, openness, and honesty by this administration, and it starts with this EY report. We are also awaiting answers to dozens of questions posed in the budget hearings for each department that are required before any alderman could vote on the budget. Data on the head tax, social media tax, hemp and other new taxes are simply not detailed out.

The EY report is available here, along with other public budget documents. Unless we start to implement many of these options quickly, get transparency on the new taxes being proposed, along with changes to the budget, we will see another downgrade to our city ratings.

Some of the cuts to domestic violence budgeting and the public libraries are hard to accept when there are new programs being created without detailed plans or proof of the need for more taxes. The CPL budget is taking a big hit in this budget with a 50% reduction in the library collections (books, digital books, magazines and other library assets). As I've stated before, I am also adamantly opposed to allowing the city to legalize toxic synthetic drugs that will allow thousands of retailers all over the City to sell the drugs, just to add more revenue to the budget. The state and city have been at odds on the dangerous health issues related to the hemp products that are marketed to kids and will put more people in harms way without state or federal regulations in place, before the City decides to allow for expansion of the sales. 


Our office and all City departments will not be open on Tuesday, November 11th in observation of Veterans Day. We are very grateful to the service and sacrifice of the folks in our military and thank you for fighting for our rights.

Happy Halloween!

Alderman Scott Waguespack

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.

Grocery Gift Card Drive for a 32nd Ward Nonprofit the Night Ministry

Know Your Rights Info & More!

Alderman Scott Waguespack hosted a community training in Lakeview with local elected officials from different jurisdictions including Congressman Mike Quigley, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz, State Senator Graciela Guzman, State Representatives Jaime Andrade and Ann Williams, and our Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen. If you missed it, you can watch the entire event online HERE.

Whistles and Hands Off Chicago signs are back in our office!

(Downloadable version here.)

(Available at our office for businesses while supplies last)

What You Can Do!

• Share and sign up for the "Eyes on ICE" text alert system, where individuals will receive text alerts of confirmed ICE sightings. You can also sign up for the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Rapid Response Team.
• Utilize Know Your Rights resources: Illinois Immigration Information or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693). It is especially helpful if you speak more than one language and can help with translating or have a background in law, but any help is appreciated.
• Support School Safety Planning- consider participating in carpools for children of parents who may be targeted and conduct community ICE watches during pick-up and drop-off. Check in with your local school to see if they have any program set up or are interested in doing so.
• Join the Court Watch Volunteer Program
• Check on your neighbors: coordinate grocery and essential drop-offs for vulnerable neighbors and support food pantries that are also doing this work, such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
• Support the shelter network: emergency shelters for unhoused neighbors to go to if their neighborhood is being targeted. (e.g. The Night Ministry).
• Consider donating to organizations such as the Street Vendor Relief Fund
• Support local businesses that are being impacted by lower foot traffic.
• If you have a passport, consider also getting the passport card to carry with you for easy access for proving citizenship.
• To make a report about missing, damaged, or obstructed license plates on ICE vehicles, call the Secretary of State’s Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or email platewatch@ilsos.gov.

Analysis of the S&P negative outlook - from our Council Office of Fiscal Analysis and EY Report Update

Last week, as we reviewed the city budget in public hearings, I questioned the policy positions of the mayor on the city budget and was concerned about the possibility of a negative rating from the rating agencies if we continued down this path of fiscal instability.


We also withdrew the demand for a special meeting of the full city council in lieu of having EY/Ernst & Young testify on Monday at a budget hearing in city council. Our large group of Aldermen negotiated with the Johnson Administration to get the EY report on the table and we appreciate them having EY fly in to testify. The full report is now available on the city budget website. Of the 127 provided in the EY analysis of the city structures, the budget department says they will look into 72 of the options this upcoming year. The EY report provides a good blueprint for what can be done in the short, mid and long term and most of the report is accurate on how those can move forward (i.e., requires an ordinance or not, or needs more policy discussions or requires opening labor agreements). The meeting will start at 2 p.m. on Monday, after two other committee hearings. A sample of the report is below.

Yesterday, S&P Global Ratings revised the City of Chicago’s GO debt outlook to negative BBB from stable BBB. 

COFA- our office that reviews the budget each day before departmental hearings provided this analysis of the downgrade. While the ratings agency reaffirmed the City’s BBB rating, S&P Global Ratings points out three primary considerations that may lead to a future downgrade for the City’s bond rating:


1. Final FY 2026 budget and FY 2025 actual performance 

2. Structural solutions integrated into the FY 2026 budget

Council Office of Financial Analysis 3

3. Level of advanced pension payment


The credit ratings agency describes two scenarios for the City: one leading to a credit rating downgrade and one leading to a reversal to a “stable” outlook.

Ratings downgrade: The City of Chicago’s GO debt rating could decrease if the budget passed by the City Council fails to incorporate structural budget solutions or adequately reduce the City’s pension liabilities. 

Reversal of negative outlook: The City of Chicago’s GO debt rating could return to “stable” BBB from “negative” BBB rating if the FY 2026 budget reflects progress identifying recurring revenues or further expenditure reductions to “substantially reduce its chronic reliance on short-term budgetary fixes.”

2025 Street Cleaning Calendar

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 1 & 2. (Roscoe Vilage). 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 landscaping debris 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

November CAPS Meetings

14th Police District

1432- November 19, 6pm

Holstein Park

2200 N. Oakley

1434- November 26, 6pm

Bucktown Wicker Park Library

1701 N. Milwaukee

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261

18th Police District-

1811- November 4, 5pm

St. James Church

2101 N. Fremont

caps.018district@chicagopolice.org

18th District Twitter

18th District CAPS- 312-742-5778

Police Community Conversations

The Chicago Police Department is hosting Community Conversations throughout the city. These conversations are an opportunity for Chicagoans to participate in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following calendar year. The valuable feedback provided by participants at these conversations is used to develop community-driven crime reduction strategies, as well as community engagement priorities, and is an integral part of the Chicago Police Department’s implementation of the various reforms outlined in the consent decree.

Fletcher (Hoyne to Oakley) Water Main Project Update 11/7/2025

What to Know:

• Work in ongoing on the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Fletcher.
• There have been 11 breaks on this main over the past 30 years and it is patched up in 7 spots.
• This is a 3 phase project- new water main (targeted to be fully installed by the end of the year), replacing lead service lines, and restoration of the street, sidewalk, and parkways once the asphalt plants open in the spring. There will be a concrete cap on the street during winter.
• There are two crews currently working on this project- one starting at Oakley moving east, and one starting at Hoyne also moving east. There is a box set up on Leavitt for tools/home base. Tree trimming has been requested; street lights may be altered during the project.
• Residents who have fences, pavers, etc, should remove these as Water does not assume responsibility for damage to privately installed parkway improvements, including sprinkling systems, fences, flower beds, shrubs, etc.
• In the event of a main break or water being turned off for another reason, people should run their water for 5 minutes after it’s back on to clear out any particles. Water notifies people if there is a planned outage; if there is no notice, it means they are working on a break.
• Regarding no parking starting at 6:30am- engineers arrive then; work generally starts at 7am. If cars have to be towed, they will be towed to the nearest open spot; exception- 4WD have to be put on a flatbed and taken in. Current no parking signs on the street go through February 2; will be removed if they finish early and new signs will be posted once restoration work begins.

Work Progress & Tentative Schedule – Week of November 10th, 2025

W. Fletcher St (Between N. Oakley Ave. and N. Hoyne Ave.)

• One crew will be working on watermain replacement on W Fletcher east of N Leavitt St to N Hoyne.
• One crew will be working on watermain replacement on W Fletcher east of Oakley to N Leavitt. 
• Monday (11/10) one crew will install watermain on W Fletcher east of Oakley to N Leavitt. 
• Tuesday (11/11)- OFF
• Wednesday (11/12), Thursday (11/13) and Friday (11/14) : Both crews will install watermain on W Fletcher from Oakley to Hoyne

Water Service Interruptions:

• There will be water service interruptions on W Fletcher between N Oakley and N Leavitt on Monday 11/10 from 10:00am to 3:30pm. DWM will provide advance notice before any service interruption. 

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. 

Street Resurfacing 2800-3100 N Paulina 

Alderman Waguespack has allocated funding for the resurfacing of Paulina between Diversey and Barry. The tentative start date for the work is 11/3. The first phase is the grinding of the top layer of pavement. There is then a period, typically lasting two or three weeks, during which time the catch basins and any other infrastructure is inspected and repaired as needed. Parking will be allowed on most days and in most locations during this interim period. The street will then be resurfaced. 

Lakeview Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov 23

Join neighbors and friends for the annual Lakeview Tree Lighting Ceremony sponsored by the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce! The ceremony will take place at the intersection of Lincoln, Southport & Wellington outside of St. Alphonsus, and will include holiday tunes and carolers, festive gift bags, and maybe even a surprise appearance from Santa himself culminating in the annual tree lighting.

This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature the returning houseware, toy, and book drive benefiting Chicago Furniture Bank, supporting Chicagoans in need this holiday season. And don't worry if it's chilly — attendees will be kept warm with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, pizza, and donuts.

The RVN Junior Board is teaming up with Cradles to Crayons Chicago for an afternoon of community service — and you’re invited!

📅 Friday, November 15

🕐 1:30–3:30 PM

📍 Cradles to Crayons

Together, we’ll help provide essential items to children in need across Chicago. This hands-on volunteer opportunity is a great way to connect with friends, make an impact, and earn volunteer hours for high school or college applications.

Let’s show what Roscoe Village can do when we come together to give back!

Sign up here.

The City of Chicago, Cook County, IEMA-OHS to Appeal Denial of Federal Disaster Assistance for Illinois Summer Flooding Events

 Impacted residents are encouraged to provide additional information through an online survey

The City of Chicago, in coordination with Cook County and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) continue to work on the appeal of the recent denial of a Presidential Disaster Declaration request submitted by Governor JB Pritzker. The request sought federal assistance for the severe flooding events that impacted communities across Illinois from July 25-28, 2025 and August 16-19, 2025.

Residents can report additional data through a Residential Self-Assessment Survey. The survey is available online by visiting  https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/recovery or scan the QR code below. Any residents who did not previously submit information are strongly encouraged to do so. The deadline to submit is November 7.

Residents and business owners in the affected areas are urged to submit any new or previously unreported information regarding their damages or ongoing needs.

• Photos of damage

• Documentation of alternative housing needs

• Reports of illness or health impacts

• Mold remediation efforts

• Replacement of furnaces, water heaters, or major appliances

Damage Assessment QR Code (link/code will be available at 8am on October 29):

As part of the appeal process, additional virtual and in-person assessments will be conducted November 4-7, to gather updated documentation and strengthen the state’s request for federal assistance. Impacted jurisdictions include the City of Chicago, City of Aurora, and the counties of Cook, Will, Boone, McHenry, Kane, Jersey, and Calhoun.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).

Chicago Animal Care and Control Helps 477 Families Feed and Keep Their Pets Through Drive-Through Pet Food Pantry

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) is proud to share the success of its

drive-through pet food pantry held on November 5, 2025, which provided food and supplies to 477 families across the City of Chicago.

The event, organized in response to the temporary pause in federal SNAP benefits and broader economic challenges, ensured that hundreds of pets across the city did not go hungry and most importantly, could stay in their homes with the people who love them.

The initiative was made possible entirely through public donations, with support pouring in from across the country and even internationally. PAWS Chicago also joined the effort, donating over 1,000 pounds of pet food, along with 200 gallons of dog and cat toys and pet supplies to help families keep their pets happy, healthy, and at home.

CACC extends heartfelt thanks to every individual and organization that contributed and a special acknowledgment to the CACC volunteers, who played a vital role in every step of the event, from unboxing and sorting to safely distributing food to families in need.

Donations have slowed slightly since the event, but CACC hopes to host another drive-through distribution in the near future if contributions continue. To support CACC’s ongoing diversion efforts and help prevent pet surrenders due to

financial hardship, donations of pet food and supplies can be made through the

department’s Amazon Wishlist: of Chicago.

City News

• Press Conference: Rayito de Sol
• Chicago Federal Intervention: Tracking Surge in Immigration Enforcement Operations
• Chicago Alders Seek Emergency Hearing Over Mayor Johnson’s Budget, Audit Findings
• Chicago Mayor Johnson Stands Firm on Proposed City Budget, Corporate Head Tax Plan
• Chicago Alders Push for Special City Council Meeting to Dig Into Consultants’ Report on Budget
• Johnson Defends Budget Plan Despite Warning of Credit Downgrade
• Chicago Police Department Overspent Its Budget by $501M Over 5 Years: Data
• The Vanishing Mayor
• Judge Orders Improvements at Broadview Ice Facility After Claims of Inhumane Conditions
• ‘We’re Not a Violent City’: Chicago Locals Take On Ice Block-By-Block
• They Were Arrested at an Ice Protest Outside of Chicago. Here’s What Happened to Them Next
• Librarians, Aldermen Push Back Against Proposed Library Cuts