32nd Ward Newsletter October 10, 2025

Greetings!

Our office will be closed on Monday, October 13th in observance of the holiday. There will also be no garbage collection on Monday. Residents should ensure all carts are accessible throughout the week, not solely on their regular day of collection. Additionally, residents should be advised of potential changes to blue cart recycling collection based on their service provider. Please visit www.chicagorecycles.org to find out your waste and recycling pick up schedule.

Concerning ICE - I want to be very clear that I stand in solidarity with our Chicago immigrant and refugee community. It is appalling to have the Texas National Guard forced upon the citizens of Chicago under the guise that we are a "war zone." The Governor has also made it clear that his office has not asked for the Texas National Guard to be sent into Chicago's streets. As Governor Pritzker stated, "there is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation."​ 

As many of you heard, ICE agents were also roaming around Ravenswood and at schools in that community area earlier today. I encourage all parents to be aware of any activity around these schools and make sure you are in close contact with your school representatives regarding any federal activity. Now is a good time to get involved in your neighborhood school in any volunteer capacity.

My office is organizing a Know Your Rights seminar with other elected officials (details to come). I will also have whistles you can pick up at my office (one per person) for alerting citizens of ICE starting on Wednesday 10/15/2025 until supplies last. I support the recent executive order for ICE Free Zones. This order prohibits federal immigration authorities from using City-owned or controlled parking lots, vacant lots, and garages as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases for civil immigration enforcement activities. I've ordered signs to distribute for "ICE Free Zones" to distribute for businesses and organizations that should be available soon.

Below are links to posters you can print from home, information about your rights, and a list of actions you can personally take to help make a safer Chicago for all of those who reside in our city.

Halloween- Halloween is around the corner, and if you are looking some fun for the kids outside of trick or treating, here is the Ultimate Chicago Halloween Guide: 70+ Parades, Parties, Markets and Family Events. We will also post smaller neighborhood events in the next couple of weeks.

Have a good weekend and we wish a healthy and timey run for all of our Sunday morning Chicago Marathon runners!

Alderman Scott Waguespack

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Information Provided by Illinois Attorney General

(Downloadable version here.)

(Downloadable version here.)

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 unusually low foot traffic.

Gov. Pritzker Establishes Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Prescott Elementary Makes the List!



The establishment of the Illinois Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program comes after the Trump Administration abruptly canceled the U.S. Department of Education’s prestigious nationwide program in August, shortly before the recipients were set to be announced. The 2025 school recipients from Illinois had already been selected by the U.S. Department of Education before the program was shuttered.


Prescott Elementary (at Ashland and Wrightwood) was one of the 2025 national award recipients and has continued to excel in academics each year. We wish all the best to the students, teachers, administrators and parents at Prescott for their great achievement!

2025 Street Cleaning Calendar

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 11, 12, and 13 (Lincoln Park and 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 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

Police Community Conversations

Starting next week, the Chicago Police Department will be 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. Each flyer below is for a particular district in the 32nd Ward- 14, 18, or 19. Click here for more information.

FLETCHER WATER MAIN PROJECT

By mid-late October, Department of Water Management (DWM) crews will begin to install 1,297 feet of new 8-inch water main on Fletcher from Hoyne to Oakley. The old water main dates back to 1915 and needs to be replaced to create a more reliable and efficient system.

Upon completion of the water main installation (targeted to be done by the end of the year), DWM will begin outreach as part of the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program to replace lead water service lines for all affected residents within the limits of the newly installed water main. Restoration will follow, including half-width street resurfacing along with repair of damaged parkways and sidewalks.

What You Need to Know During Construction


• Traffic: If they need to close or limit traffic during construction for safety reasons, you will always be able to reach your home or business. Outside of working hours, a travel lane will be left open for local traffic only.

• Parking: They will post “No Parking” signs as needed during work hours (generally 7am-4pm). Parking outside of those hours will be allowed, but cars will need to be moved by the start of the next workday. They will try to preserve as much parking space as possible.

• Service transfers: They will give you 24-hour notice when they will have to temporarily interrupt water service to transfer water to the new main and you will need to start flushing your water system. However, in the event of an emergency shutdown during construction, they may not be able to give you prior warning.

• Construction always involves inconveniences and noise. They will do everything possible to maintain your quality of life throughout this project, and conduct themselves as good and thoughtful neighbors in the course of their presence on your street.

Possible Fence Removal/Parkway Alterations

DWM does everything possible to preserve homeowner improvements within the public right of way when doing infrastructure work. Any homeowner added improvements including fencing, landscaping etc. shall be removed by the individual homeowner prior to the water main installation. DWM does not assume responsibility for damage to privately installed parkway improvements, including sprinkling systems, fences, flower beds, and shrubbery.

Possible Tree Removal

DWM does everything possible to preserve trees when doing infrastructure work. However, due to IEPA regulations concerning the separation of underground infrastructure and public safety concerns, should a tree become unstable because of underground work, it is sometimes necessary to remove trees. In consultation with the Department of Streets and Sanitation’s Forestry Division, they make the decision on tree removal on a situational basis. You will be notified in advance if it will be necessary to remove trees during this project.   

What You Need to Know Following Construction

Work involving the water system like water main installation or repairs can dislodge small particles of contaminants, including lead, which can affect your drinking water. Ingesting lead can have significant health risks. For more information about the health effects of lead, go to www.CDC.gov/nceh/lead or www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead. Studies show that flushing water through your pipes is an effective approach to lowering lead levels and exposure. Click here for more information on flushing.

Should you have any questions or concerns you can contact any of the following:



• 24-Hour City Service and Information Line: 311
• 32^nd Ward Office: 773-248-1330
• DWM Office of Public Affairs: 312-744-6635
• Watermanagement@cityofchicago.org
• DWM Bureau of Operations & Distribution: 312-744-7010

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during this important infrastructure improvement project.

• Presentation on how to file a property tax appeal, plus education about the Board of Review process and West Chicago Township specifics

• Q&A with our team

• One-on-one help creating online accounts and submitting appeals

Click here to register.

Congressman Delia C. Ramirez Hosting

Medicare Workshop

Congressman Delia C. Ramirez is hosting two Medicare Info Sessions and Enrollment Workshops this month. They will provide hands-on support, information, and local resources. Medicare Enrollment Specialists will be available after the Information Sessions to assist you. This workshop is for you if you have questions concerning:

• Qualifying for Medicare
• How to enroll in Medicare
• Special Enrollment Period
• Receiving a Medicare card
• Medicare fraud
• Other Medicare issues
  

No RSVP necessary! 

This fall, Cleanup Club Chicago is CHALLENGING PHILADELPHIA TO A LITTER CLEANUP COMPETITION! The Chicago vs Philly Clean-Off will last the entire month of October, and all litter cleaning will count regardless of whether it’s done at a group event or individually. All litter cleanups must be submitted through the form on the webpage, and photos are required. We’ll be collaborating with 6 other litter cleanup groups to get the job done, and will be supported by Chicago Streets and Sanitation, Cook County Commissioner Degnen, and Independent Recycling Services. Spring cleaning gets all the attention, but the reality is that our city needs maintenance all year-round. It is our hope that this competition will motivate Chicagoans to clean up their neighborhoods before the leaves and snow fall! For more information on the rules and how to participate, please visit the official webpage here.

Brunch Fest This Saturday 10am-2pm

You don’t wanna miss the second annual Lincoln Brunch Fest coming to the neighborhood October 11! Local restaurants will serve FREE samples of your soon-to-be favorite Brunch items from 10 AM to 2 PM. This, along with live music, inflatables, face painting, balloon art and more will transform the street into a brunch-tastic afternoon.

Halloween Events

Click flyer for details.

Click flyer for details.

Click flyer for details.

Winter Clothing Drive

Flu and Covid Vaccines!

Click here for more vaccination info.

Vaccines for CPS Students are Due By 10/15/2025

In order to attend school, Chicago Public School (CPS) students are required by the State of Illinois to receive certain vaccines. The deadline to submit proof of these vaccines is October 15, 2025. Families should review the Minimum Health Requirements document and speak with their child’s health care provider to determine which vaccines their children need.

Also, as we enter the colder months of the year, respiratory illnesses will become more common. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are recommending students and staff stay up-to-date on flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines to protect them against these viruses.

Click here to learn more about which vaccines are required and where you can get them at little or no cost.

The 2026 application for the ComEd Energy Force Ambassador Program is now open through Friday, October 31st. This is a one-of-a-kind program that trains adults with developmental disabilities to serve as ambassadors for ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program. Energy Force is the country's first energy-efficiency education program taught by people with disabilities. Selected ambassadors will engage with customers and help them understand the benefits of energy efficiency and solar options.

Organizations selected to participate in the Energy Force program will receive $8,000 to cover costs, including an ambassador stipend for their participation (amount is at the discretion of the recipient organization) and any staff, travel, or other costs associated with event coordination.

The application, guidelines, and more information regarding the Energy Force program can be found here.

The 47th annual Chicago Marathon will happen on Sunday, October 12th. There are still volunteer opportunities available. 

Full information including detailed parking restrictions, the race day schedule, open routes, and more is available on the marathon's website here. See an additional street closures brochure here and map here.

City News

• Thin Air-Traffic Staffing Spurs Delays at U.S. Airports Thousands of Flights Have Been Slowed
• Hundreds Could Be Freed from ICE Custody After Warrantless Arrest Ruling
• Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s National Guard Mobilization to Chicago
• ICE Agents in Chicago Area Who Aren’t Undercover Must Wear Badges or IDs, Federal Judge Rules
• Amid ICE Activity, CTU and Elected Officials Call for Community to Protect Students, Families
• Chicago Public Schools Sets Up District Command Center in Response to ‘Fear and Anxiety’ From ICE Operations 
• Mayor Brandon Johnson Bans Use of City Property for Immigration Enforcement
• 27 Chicago Police Officers Among Those Injured by Tear Gas During Weekend Protest, Chicago’s Top Cop Says
• Chicago Rallies to Support Street Vendors Impacted by ICE: ‘The Backbone of Our Neighborhoods’
• Chicago Restaurants Struggle Out of the Spotlight as ICE Fears Mount
• Migration Alert in Effect for Chicago, with Thousands of Birds Filling the Skies 
• Your Ultimate Chicago Halloween Guide: 70+ Parades, Parties, Markets and Family Events