October 13, 2022

Dear 43rd Ward Residents,



Thank you to the spectators, volunteers, city employees, Mother Nature, and of course, the fearless runners, who made Sunday’s Chicago Marathon such a wonderful day. I enjoyed meeting so many of you and talking about the treasures of our ward as well as the issues that we face as a community. 


Before today’s hearings for the City of Chicago Budget, I had an early coffee on Armitage Avenue with a friend who is a very active community member within the 43rd Ward. We talked about many goals, including championing our ward’s special mix of pocket parks. A pocket park is a small urban open space that is designed to build community, promote safety, and strengthen ecosystems in dense areas. We are grateful to our neighborhood associations community volunteers and nonprofits that champion our pocket parks. Here is a photo I took this morning of Hudson Chess Park (a personal favorite, and today its colors are just screaming FALL):

It has been another busy week in the 43rd Ward, and here are some updates on what we are working on:

 

  • Budget Hearings: Today marks day 5 of budget hearings. Beyond the top line of (i) no increase to property taxes, and (ii) working towards a balanced budget, there are countless details that go into advancing the city that we know today. As hearings continue, I have spoken on and asked questions regarding filling city vacancies, investing for a green future, and innovating governmental processes. So far we have heard from over 15 departments, and we have 7 days of hearings to go. After hearings, we work through last minute negotiations before voting on the final budget.    I will continue to advocate for a strong and balanced budget with my colleagues and please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback with our office.

 

  • Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability: In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance creating a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. The ordinance creates two independent bodies: (i) a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) with power to advance systemic reform, and (ii) District Councils which will be elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety within each district. CCPSA and the District Councils will bring police officers and Chicago residents together to plan, prioritize, and build mutual trust, strengthen the police accountability system, give Chicagoans a meaningful new role in oversight, and explore and advance alternative effective approaches to public safety. In the 43rd Ward office, we believe that community engagement is essential to this groundbreaking work, and in our public safety section (below) we have included the upcoming meeting information.

 

  • Halloween: Check out the Community Events section below for Halloween Festivities later this month hosted by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Central Association, Wrightwood Neighbors Association and Lincoln Common. Events like these provide a great opportunity to come out, connect with your neighbors and see what different neighborhood organizations have to offer!

 

As a final note, I want to talk about mental health, a very important issue that touches every single one of us. America’s mental health crisis pre-dates the pandemic; however, it has expanded rapidly for a variety of reasons including increased solitude and a pandemic “after shock”. Mental health is an issue that we can each have a constant impact on. A few basic ways to do this are checking-in on your neighbors, talking openly about the benefits of therapy and other wellness strategies, and/or going into interactions with a tone that acknowledges that you can never know exactly what someone else is going through. As Alderman, I will be advocating strongly for increased mental health budgeting, access and awareness city-wide. Below is a list of mental health resources, and never hesitate to reach out to the Ward office for help.

 

Talk soon,

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Alderman Timmy Knudsen

Public Safety

18th District Community Alert- Robbery

Mass Transit Detectives are seeking help from the community to help identify the offenders from an incident at the CTA Red Line train located at 943 W. Fullerton on Oct. 2 around 9pm. The offenders approached a passenger on a CTA Red Line train and took the victims cell phone and wallet. When the victim chased the offender off the train, the second offender assaulted the victim allowing both offenders to flee.


About The Offenders:

  • First Offender: Male, 25-30 years of age, wearing a navy blue, long-sleeved shirt with white colored "CK" letters on chest, dark sweat pants wearing a black backpack.
  • Second Offender: Male, 25-30 years of age, thin mustache, wearing a white hoodie, light blue/green tank top, yellow-colored sleeves and white pants.


What You Can Do:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings
  • Dial 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity immediately
  • Never pursue a fleeing assailant
  • Provide the information to the police


If you have any information about this incident, please call the Bureau of

Detectives – Mass Transit at (312)-745-4443


Anonymous tips can be submitted to CPDTIP.com

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability- Special Public Meeting

October 17, 6:30pm

Join the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability for a Special Public Meeting Via Zoom.


Meeting registration here.


These Meetings  will conduct outreach to get a range of perspectives on police-community relations, Police Department policies and practices, and the police accountability system.


More information here.

Community Conversation with the 18th District 


Join the 18th district for a Community Conversation. Each year in the fall, the Chicago Police Department hosts Community Conversations throughout the city. These conversations are an opportunity for residents to participate in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following calendar year. The valuable feedback provided by residents at these conversations is used to develop community-driven crime reduction strategies, as well as community engagement priorities.


  • In-Person: Tuesday October 18, 6pm at Park Community Church (1001 N Crosby St)
  • Virtual: Thursday October 20 at 6pm-8pm. Meeting ID: 85733198242 Passcode: 319583


More information and registration here.

Mental Health Resources

Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago.





City of Chicago Home and Business Protection Program

Apply here.

If you live in or operate a business in Chicago you can now apply to receive reimbursement for your security cameras and other security devices. Since the offer is "first-come, first serve," we encourage people who want to buy cameras to do so now.


The rebate includes: 

  • Up to $225 per camera for a maximum of 2 cameras
  • Up to $150 per one year of subscription costs for cloud-based video storage systems 
  • Up to $100 per light for a maximum of 2 lights
  • Up to $50 per vehicle GPS tracking device for a maximum of 2 devices
  • Up to $120 per one year of subscription costs for GPS tracking applications 


To get reimbursed, you must provide:

  • Proof of address
  • Proof of purchase
  • Photo of installed device


Learn more here.

Community Events

Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church-Vigil Against Violence

October 16, 4pm-6pm

Join Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for their 7th Annual Vigil Against Violence. They will be remembering youth who were victims of gun violence, while bringing awareness to deeper issues that lead to violence in our communities.


The event is free and open to the public but registration is required due to space constraints. 


Masks are required indoors.

Fall Fest at Lincoln Common

October 22, 10am-4pm

From pony rides and caricature drawings to costume contests and Spooktacular trick-or-treating, it will be a day full of activities for the entire family!


10:00 am – Noon

Ride a pony, pet a goat, get your face painted and your caricature drawn, paint a pumpkin, or do it all!


1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Calling all kids and adults to show us your Most creative, spookiest, & cutest costumes! Enter here.


Compete for Halloween Best Dressed, dance to the groove of the DJ Firm, grab a brat from Chicago’s Doghouse and a glass from Verve Wine as the kiddos trick-or-treat along Lincoln Avenue!


Enjoy special offers from Lincoln Common retailers and neighboring businesses, take home a pumpkin, and maybe even a prize for your costume!

Spooktacular 2022

October 22 & 23

Spooktacular has expanded to a full weekend of tricks and treats in Lincoln Park! Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street businesses will transform into trick-or-treat stops featuring candy and surprises for the whole family.


Spooktacular on Lincoln Ave

Saturday, October 22, 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Lincoln Avenue from Wrightwood to Webster


Spooktacular on Clark St.

Sunday, October 23, 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Clark Street from Diversey to Armitage, and Diversey, from Orchard to Lakeview

Green City Market Fall/Winter Update

Green City Market will continue outdoors in Lincoln Park on Saturdays until November 19, and on Wednesdays through the end of October. GCM will host an indoor market for the winter season beginning on December 3 at our new location in Avondale. 


Our new indoor market, GCM Avondale, is located at 3031 N Rockwell St.  


GCM Avondale will be open from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on select Saturdays between December 3 - March 18. Street parking will be available on N Rockwell St.


More Information here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chi 311 App

I want to keep spreading the good word of how powerful a tool CHI 311 is to address non-emergency services in our Ward. Via the CHI 311 website and mobile app, you can:


  • Create new service requests and check the status of existing requests (such as on timing and completion).
  • Snap a photo of an issue to submit it with a request to improve location accuracy.
  • Get local and relevant information/tips regarding the 43rd Ward including visibility into what other requests are being made in your neighborhood. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Street Sweeping Schedule

The Department of Streets and Sanitation is hard at work cleaning streets in our ward. Below is the street sweeping schedule for October.


October Street Sweeping Schedule


For other questions regarding garbage collection, rodent control and recycling contact our office at yourvoice@ward43.org

Chi Street Work Portal

Have questions about street work happening in your area? The Department of Transportation has a wonderful tool to look up street work in your area called the Chi Street Work PortalHere you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street.

43rd Ward Office Hours:  M-F 9 AM - 5 PM
 2523 N. Halsted | 773-348-9500yourvoice@ward43.org