32nd Ward Newsletter: April 22, 2024

Dear Scott,

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of City of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, who was gunned down this weekend as he returned from his shift with the Chicago Police Department. CPD believes this was a carjacking of Officer Huesca as he returned home at about 2:55 a.m. following his shift.

8th District officers were alerted to the shooting by Shotspotter detectors in the area and located Officer Huesca who was suffering from gunshot wounds. He was still in uniform, but his gun and his police badge were stolen along with his personal vehicle. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he died from his gunshot wounds. Investigators are still looking for the suspect and in the latest release of information, a photo of a person of interest wanted in the shooting is posted below. CWB posted an update early Sunday morning as information came in from the shooting in the 8th District. Cook County CrimeStoppers posted a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrests of the people responsible for Officer Huesca’s death. Anonymous tips can be provided at 1-800-535-STOP.

Last March, at the funeral of Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, Officer Huesca recorded this video speaking about his friend, police academy classmate and fellow CPD officer who was killed while responding to a call for service in Gage Park. The murder of Officer Huesca is a solemn reminder of the sacrifice men and women in the the CPD make each day when they put on the uniform, not knowing if they'll come home safe to their families at the end of their shift. We send our heartfelt gratitude to the officers of the Chicago Police Department who are mourning the loss of Officer Huesca, a six year veteran of the CPD.

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca

End of Watch Sunday April 21, 2024

May Beat Meetings

14th Police District-

1432- May 22, 6:30pm

Holstein Park

2200 N. Oakley

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261

18th Police District-

1811- May 7, 5pm

St. James Lutheran

2050 N. Fremont

caps.018district@chicagopolice.org

18th District Twitter

18th District CAPS- 312-742-5870

19th Police District-

1921- May 15, 6:30pm

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1922- May 9, 6:30pm

Lincoln Belmont Library

1659 W. Melrose

1931- May 28, 6:30pm

Gantz Boys and Girls Club

2915 N. Leavitt

1933- May 14, 6:30pm

Illinois Masonic

836 W. Wellington

caps.019district@chicagopolice.org

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

Person of Interest in Connection to Shooting Death of CPD Officer Luis Huesca

Chicago Police have released this photo of the “person of interest” they are looking for possible connected to the shooting of Officer Luis Huesca. 

Notes from 1434's beat meeting (Bucktown, west of Wood, south of Armitage)

Most of the 11 burglaries were to businesses. One business had $2300 taken from the cash register. It is recommended that businesses not leave anything in the registers. It has also been suggested leaving the registers open if visible from the window so that thieves can see that there is nothing to take. A note can also be added to closed signs that cash is not kept at the location. Of the ones to residences/garages, bikes were stolen. This is a reminder to keep your bike locked, even indoors. You can also register your bike with the police here.

There were 7 robberies, which is up 1 from the last period. Most of these were between the hours of 5-7am. Theft from autos is down by 4, including only 1 catalytic converter theft. Several of the thefts included thefts of laptops and work bags; a reminder not to leave anything visible in your car. Theft of autos themselves is down by 5.

There was an arrest made in a criminal sexual abuse case in the beat. It is possible that it may be connected to an earlier offense; detectives are investigating.

One resident in attendance mentioned mail getting stolen (there was a case of a postal worker being robbed of a postal key). It is advised to have cameras posted as well as signs letting people know they are on camera to deter this. If your mail is stolen, in addition to filing a report with the Chicago Police, also make sure to file a report with the USPS, as mail theft is a federal crime and they have their own police force.

Street Sweeping Underway

Property Tax Exemptions Deadline is April 29

The deadline to file for exemption savings for tax year 2023 is Monday, April 29, 2024.

If you received an application booklet in the mail, please mail it in immediately or apply online. Property tax savings are reflected on the 2nd Installment Property Tax Bill.

As a reminder, homeowners must reapply for the Veterans with Disabilities and Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (the “Senior Freeze”) Exemptions. The Homeowner, Senior, and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions are automatically renewed.

All homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online. This allows staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify the homeowner if missing documents are needed.

Applications can be downloaded at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. 

Jumping Jack Portal is NOW OPEN!

The inflatable bounce house is available, free of charge to Residential Block Parties from Saturday, May 25^th through Sunday, September 1^st.

Reminders:

• The Jumping Jack is limited to residential block parties within the Chicago city limits.
• Requests must be made through the Jumping Jack Registration Portal – no emails or phone calls will be accepted.
• The application is best completed on a computer using Google Chrome.
• Applicant must reside on the block where the Block Party is taking place.
• When completing the application, if all information is input correctly, the applicant will receive an immediate auto-reply confirmation message containing the request. If applicant does not receive the auto-reply message, the request WAS NOT received.
• To avoid errors:
• Be sure to manually fill in each of the boxes on the application; errors can occur when the fields auto-populate.
• Please try putting a “.” (period) after the letter used to denote the street direction.
• Press “SUBMIT” at the end of the application.
• Units are available on Saturdays and Sundays only. Requests are typically highest on Saturdays – applicants should consider Sundays.
• Only one request per block, per season will be honored. Multiple requests from the same block may be denied.
• If the incorrect date is selected in error, applicant MUST email JumpingJack@cityofchicago.org for further instruction. Last minute date changes will not be honored.
• Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Applicants MUST receive a permit from their Aldermanic office in order to hold a Block Party.   

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

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is coming to Chicago this summer! The Chicago 2024 Host Committee is looking for volunteers to help facilitate the convention’s success and help make Chicago a welcoming place for the roughly 50,000 expected visitors this August. From assisting with wayfinding to transporting delegates to and from the United Center, there are a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers both in the convention hall and around the city. There is no better time and place to show the world why we love Chicago! If you are interested in this great opportunity, you can find the volunteer sign up form here, and make sure to put down the name of our neighborhood ambassador (and 32nd ward intern!) Aidan Keefe as your reference at the bottom of your screen. If you have any additional questions you can contact him at aidanlievkeefe@gmail.com. 

This year we are partnering with local nonprofit Common Pantry to host a food and essential item drive. Please consider donating items at Commonwealth Tavern during the Clean and Green Event on 4/27 from 8:00am-12:00pm.

As part of our RVN Clean and Green Day, we will be accepting donations on behalf of Cradles to Crayons Chicago. Donation bins will be located at Commonwealth Tavern and Leigh Marcus Chicago. Please consider donating your gently-used items to help our neighbors in need.

Bucktown Garden Walk

Flowers are blooming all over Bucktown. You may not be ready to start your yard work, but it is time to sign up your garden for our annual Bucktown Garden Walk on July 13 and 14! You can help show off how amazing Bucktown can be and meet your neighbors by opening your parkway, front garden, back yard, or rooftop for people to view.

Registration is FREE this year. We do offer the opportunity to donate when signing up to support the event and the BCO. Sign-ups will close on June 10th.

Sign-up your Garden Now!

2024 Aldermanic Forum

May 22nd 9AM - Athenaeum Center

Join the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (LRVCC) as we welcome 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson, 46th Ward Alderman Angela Clay, and 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin for the 2024 Aldermanic Business Forum.

This event will give businesses the opportunity to hear directly from their local representatives about issues that matter to them. 



Registration is required. Please submit any questions you have for the Aldermen by May 15th. 

Register Here

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City News Links

• State Treasurer: Illinois Has $5B in Unclaimed Property. Here’s How You Can Find Yours
• Key City Panel Advances Plan to Spend $70M More to Care for Migrants in Chicago
• Ethics Board Urges Chicago City Council to Tighten Rules That Would Allow Enforcement of a Ban on Lobbyists Giving Campaign Cash to Mayors
• After Demands for Accountability, CHA Boss Agrees to Testify Before City Council Committee
• City Council Stalls Mayor Johnson’s Plan to Borrow $1.25 Billion for Housing
• Lincoln Park Alderman to Introduce Ordinance That Could Impose Fines for Antisemitic Flyering