32nd Ward Newsletter June 12, 2026

32nd Ward Newsletter June 12, 2026

Dear John,


Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Roscoe Village Farmer's Market ribbon cutting at Hamlin Park and want to thank the LRVCC, Hamlin Park PAC for all their work to improve the entire park and fieldhouse, and the park district staff and vendors. This was another successful farmers market that provides fresh food and products for our neighborhood.

If your family is looking for some fun things to this summer, look no further than the YMCA. Kids and teens 12-18 years of age can go to the YMCAs free June through August 31st. Find your YMCA here.

Also below, a note of thanks to the residents and business owners who helped in the aftermath of the storm. There are also several events in the area that you should be aware of before going out and about this weekend.

Have a good weekend!

Alderman Scott Waguespack

THANK YOU!

This week, Chicago experienced severe storms and tornadoes going through the state. There was a ton of damage to trees and personal property, but in all of the chaos, neighbors still banded together to help each other and no one was severely injured during the storms.

We really appreciate the hundreds of residents who helped their neighbors lift branches off of cars, use chainsaws to clear streets (one of which is the Churchill Chainsaw Team in the pic with me below!), clean up piles of debris in front of their homes, and inform our office about damaged trees.

Our ward alone has had around 250 tree related emergencies reported. Our Street and Sans Superintendent, ward staff, and I spent the last two days trying to clean up and work with ComEd, different city departments, residents, and businesses to identify and take care of tree issues. We still have a lot of work to do.

The City will continue to address getting trees moved and the debris cleaned up. As of yesterday, they had more than 5000 calls citywide for service, so please be patient as they work their way through the city. If you need to report any storm related issues, you can contact our office or enter it directly into 311.

Cook County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications are reviewing damage from these severe thunderstorms. If you are a resident who was impacted by these storms, you can submit an initial damage assessment report. This supplemental information will help determine if the County can pursue any options for additional assistance for residents. It is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

Again, thank you all for your assistance and patience as we work through this!

June CAPS Meeting



14th Police District

1433- June 16, 6pm

Pulaski Park

1419 W. Blackhawk

1434- June 24, 6pm

Bucktown/Wicker Park Library

1701 N. Milwaukee

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261



19th Police District-

1921- June 17, 6:30pm

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1922- June 17, 6:30pm

Police Auditorium

2452 W. Belmont

1931- June 23, 6:30pm

Lathrop Advancement Center

2820 N. Leavitt

1932- June 25, 6:30pm

Lincoln Belmont Library

1150 W. Fullerton

caps.019district@chicagopolice.org

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

2026 Street Cleaning Schedule

Street cleaning season is in full swing. 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.

Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 12 and 13 (parts of Lincoln Park). 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).

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 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. 

The NE Levy Center Village Next Meeting:

Wednesday, June 24th from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Anna Valencia, City Clerk of Chicago, is the guest speaker!

Agenda:

1) Guest speaker

2) Community updates

3) NE Levy Center updates

The NE Levy Center Village, a collaborative volunteer network that aims to increase the accessibility of resources for older adults in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Uptown, and the greater NE area, will be holding their next meeting (via Zoom) on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Anna Valencia, City Clerk of Chicago, will be the guest speaker, presenting on the Office of the City Clerk and its functions, innovative ways it is bringing services directly to residents, and its governmental modernization efforts. Additional updates from community members and organizations will be shared. To register for the meeting (and obtain a Zoom link), please email Sean Dolan at sean.dolan@cityofchicago.org.

Construction on I90/94 Feeder Ramps

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is doing work that will impact the feeder ramps to I‑90/94 (Kennedy Expressway).

IDOT will be performing pavement patching repairs that require full weekend closures, alternating between the Ohio Street and Ontario Street ramps. The scheduled closure weekends are:

• June 12
• June 26
• July 17
• July 24 (backup weekend)

Closures are expected to begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday and continue through 5:00 a.m. on Monday.

IDOT will share additional details next week, including specifics on traffic impacts and detour routes. We will forward that information as soon as it becomes available.

CDOT permitting and Project Coordination Office are aware and will be coordinating to minimize any impacts on the alternate routes.

Traffic Alerts for Festivals and Special Events

With many festivals, concerts, and athletic events this weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic, and to plan accordingly. We're only including a few of this weekend's events, but for more info on other events and how they'll affect traffic, download the Chicago OEMC App The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Here's a few that may affect local traffic-

Lincoln Square Greek Fest 

Friday, June 12, 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 

Annual Lincoln Square Greek Fest, located at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Expect street closures near 2727 W. Winona from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more details, please visit: Lincoln Square GreekFest | St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 

Puerto Rican Festival 

Thursday, June 11, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

Chicago’s 45^th annual Puerto Rican Festival will be held in Humboldt Park starting on Thursday through Sunday. Street Closures: Luis Munoz Marin Drive from Lemoyne Drive to Humboldt Boulevard. For more details, please visit: Puerto Rican Fest Humboldt Park Chicago 

Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade 

Saturday, June 13, 12:00 p.m. 

The 48th Annual Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade is a community-driven event that highlights Puerto Rican arts, culture, and music. Division Street from Western Avenue to Humboldt Drive will be closed. For more details, visit: Puerto Rican People's Day Parade - Puerto Rican Cultural Center 

Wells Street Art Festival 

Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

The 51st Annual Wells Street Art Festival returns. The historic Old Town neighborhood will be transformed into a vibrant open-air celebration featuring art, music, food, and community.  

Street closures and parking restrictions include: 

• N Wells St, from 1200 to 1600 
• W Schiller St, from 140 to 224 
• W Evergreen St, from 200 to 300 
• W Goethe St, from 130 to 300 
• N North Park Ave, from 1350 to 1410 
• W Scott St, from 200 to 300 
• W Division St, from 140 to 200 
• W North Ave, from 201 to 225 

For more details, please visit: Wells Street Art Festival | Old Town | Chicago  

Old Town Art Fair 

Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

The Old Town Art Fair takes this weekend in the heart of the Old Town Triangle Historic District. There will be 200+ nationally acclaimed artists, an estimated 35,000 art lovers, a Garden Walk, Live Music, Food Court and Children’s Corner. 

Street closures and parking restrictions include: 

• N Orleans St, from Eugenie St. to Willow St. 
• N Orleans St., from Wisconsin St. to Menomonee St. 
• N North Park Ave., from Eugenie St. to Menomonee St. 
• N Lincoln Park West, from Menomonee St. to Wisconsin St. 
• W Menomonee St., from Sedgwick St. to Wells St. 
• W Wisconsin St., from Sedgwick St. to Lincoln Ave. 
• W Willow St., from Sedgwick St. to Wells St. 
• N Sedgwick St., from 1845 to Wisconsin St. 
• N Lincoln Ave., from 1900 to 1930 

 For more details, please visit: Chicago's Old Town Art Fair  

Elected School Board and the Candidates for

November 2026 Election

We are attaching a few links here for the candidates and background on the upcoming Chicago School Board elections that you should vote on this November 3rd. The board members determine what shows up on our tax bills for the education system in Chicago and we encourage you to review the candidates in your area and learn more about the impact they will have on you- whether you are a CPS parent or not. The November election will also include candidates for Chicago police districts. 

Map- CPS Map - Find Your CPS Board Member Representative

Map - to find your district representative- use the map to find your candidates. The ward boundaries are not the same as these school board districts. Via Chalkbeat

Map from RPubs

• Here are the 51 people who filed to run for Chicago Board of Education
• 51 candidates are running for Chicago’s first fully elected school board (for 21 seats)
• Candidates line up for Chicago Board of Education as petitioning filing period opens

What is the Elected School Board? 

The Board Members (both the elected and the appointed Members) and the appointed Board President will all serve for two-year terms which begin January 15, 2025. 

Candidates submitted at least 1000 signatures similar to what Aldermen have to do in the autumn for the February municipal election. More information about the process can be found on the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website. Successful legal challenges to petitions could mean some candidates may not make it on the ballot. 

Responsibilities of School Board Members

CPS has a budget of more than $9 billion, which is used to serve over 325,000 students across 634 schools. Governing this organization is a tremendous responsibility for the Board Members selected to lead. Board Members fulfill a number of specific key responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

• Hiring and evaluating the CEO
• Establishing the direction, goals, and priorities for the district
• Approving district policies
• Approving purchasing decisions, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements
• Approving the district budget and capital improvement plan
• Approving the school year calendar
• Approving school continuous improvement plans, school actions, and school charters and contracts
• Approving the dismissal of probationary appointed teachers, contract principals and tenured teachers, and non-probationary educational support personnel 

Water Main Project

Greenview, Fullerton to Altgeld

Update 6/12/26

Tentative schedule for the week of June 15 (All field activities are weather dependent) -

• Up to date, 96% of the work has been completed (in the water main phase of the project); the pressure test for the new water main was completed and passed. The side connection needs to be completed following the chlorination of the new water main.

• The pipe was installed through the alley while passing numerous utility services. A wedge valve was installed for a side connection, and another wedge valve was installed near Montana for an additional side connection.

• Please expect the road to be closed as early as Monday on 6/15/26, within the project limits on Greenview from Fullerton to Altgeld. The alley entrance will be closed when the tree removal team arrives at 2415 N. Greenview, or when our crew starts installing the fire hydrant.

In addition to contacting our office with questions, residents can look for a Water Department supervisor on the street wearing a white hard hat to have questions answered immediately. 

HomeGrown Grant Program for Homebuyers

The HomeGrown Grant Program aims to help low- and moderate-income Chicagoans achieve homeownership by providing direct financial support. The HomeGrown program will provide up to $70,000 in forgivable grants to eligible homebuyers purchasing a 1-2 unit home in Chicago. This program will open on June 8th. Please click here for more information.

Volunteer for Burger Fest in 
Roscoe Village

Volunteers play the very important role of running the beverage tents at our street festivals! Volunteering at Burger Fest (July 17-19) is a great opportunity to help the community and have a fun time! After your shift, you will receive a free drink ticket and free t-shirt. Volunteers must be 21+. Click here to sign up.

Peoples Gas Dog Photo Contest

Help us spread the word about the importance of calling 811 before doing any work that involves digging. Your pup can compete to be named the 2026 Peoples Gas "Safe Digging Ambassadog". Send us one or two photos of your dog for a chance to make them a star. If your dog wins, they will help us spread an important safety message: Always call 811 before starting any digging project. You have until June 28 to enter the contest. Click here to enter.

Roscoe Village Neighbors New Neighbor Event

We invite all of those who are new to Roscoe Village to attend our New Neighbor Welcome Party which will be held on June 14, 2026. There is no cost to attend. This event is an evening of fun centered around learning more about Roscoe Village, Roscoe Village Neighbors (RVN), and also getting to know other new neighbors along with members of the RVN Board of Directors. Click here to register.

ComEd to Provide $2.5 Million in Bill Relief to Help Small Businesses Offset Rising PJM Supply Costs

ComEd, together with its community partners, announced $2.5 million in new bill assistance that will soon be available to help eligible business customers cope with higher PJM supply costs during the summer. Backed by Exelon, ComEd’s parent company, this extension of last year’s Customer Relief Fund will offer a one-time, matching grant of up to $500 to eligible small- and medium-sized business customers located within ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory.

Grant applications will only be accepted online starting Monday, June 15 at ComEd.com/SMBRelief. Applications will not be accepted by phone. Small- and medium-sized business customers can visit the site now for more information. A link to applications won’t be posted to the site until June 15.

ComEd announced the fund in collaboration with Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Chicago, an organization that will administer the fund. To qualify for grants, a business’s energy use must be under 500 kilowatts, have an active ComEd account with a commercial meter (home-based businesses are ineligible) and a past-due balance, along with no unpaid tampering fees and no bankruptcy.

The Customer Relief Fund is designed to provide timely relief to ComEd small- and medium-sized business customers who, often, are major employers and contributors to their communities. These businesses are most impacted by the nationwide rise in energy costs stemming from a combination of unprecedented growth in electricity demand, record-breaking supply prices, and market factors that are sustaining elevated prices. While ComEd does not control supply prices set within regional markets nor profit from their increase, ComEd remains committed to implementing practical measures to help mitigate PJM supply

costs on families and businesses. The fund builds upon last year’s $10 million CustomerRelief Fund, which provided bill relief for approximately 33,000 customers.

To learn more about the fund, please click here!

Network Night at

Bitter Pops

Tue. June 23, 5:30 - 7:00pm

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy light refreshments, engaging conversations, and the chance to meet fellow members from a wide range of industries—all in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Network Nights is your place to connect, exchange ideas, and grow your business together.

Register here!

CPD 14th District Business Liaison Meeting

Wednesday, June 17th | 10a - 11a

Lone Owl Pub (1547 N Milwaukee Ave)

The Chicago Police 14th District business liaisons will be hosting a Wicker Park & Bucktown retail & entertainment corridors meeting. All businesses that hold a Liquor License or a PPA License are strongly recommended to attend. Discussion for businesses only, regarding public safety and the upcoming summer season. 

Milwaukee Merchants Meeting

Wednesday, June 17th | 11a - 12p

Lone Owl Pub (1547 N Milwaukee Ave)

Learn about street closures, stage placements, parking restrictions, and more? Hear all about Wicker Park Fest weekend, July 24-26! 

Presented by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce

Mulching Reminder

Show Your Trees Some Love: Mulch Like a Donut, Not a Volcano

Proper mulching is one of the simplest ways to care for a tree. Follow the 3-3-3 Rule: apply mulch 3 inches deep, in a 3-foot-wide circle, while keeping it 3 inches away from the trunk. This creates a donut-shaped mulch ring that helps trees thrive.

A properly mulched tree benefits from improved moisture retention, moderated soil temperatures, reduced weed competition, and protection from damage caused by lawnmowers and string trimmers.

Avoid creating "mulch volcanoes" by piling mulch against the trunk. Excess mulch around the base of a tree can trap moisture against the bark, encourage decay, promote circling roots, and create conditions favorable to pests and diseases.

Spending a few minutes flattening a mulch volcano into a donut-shaped ring can help prevent common tree health issues and support long-term growth.

Watering Reminder

Watering Reminder for Newly Planted Trees

Newly planted trees need regular watering to establish strong, healthy root systems and give them the best chance of long-term survival—especially during dry periods and drought conditions.

To support healthy growth and establishment, provide 10–15 gallons of water each week at the base of the tree—about 2–3 five-gallon buckets. Water slowly and deeply so the moisture penetrates the soil and reaches the developing roots rather than running off the surface. During drought periods, watering can also help established trees stay healthy.

Consistent watering during the first few years after planting is one of the most important steps you can take to help your tree thrive.

More information can be found here.

This information is provided by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board Education Working Group, which works to advance and protect Chicago’s urban forest through public education, outreach, and community engagement. To learn more about the Board or attend a future meeting, please visit the Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board webpage.

ComEd Bill Payment Assistance is Available!

Additional City Resources for You & Your Family


These services are provided free of charge to all Chicagoans.



Family & Maternal Health

CDPH WIC Clinics

Pregnant Or Recently Had A Baby?

Healthy Children, Let’s Prevent Lead Poisoning

Preventive Care & Clinics

Need a Vaccine? Immunization Clinics

Free Prostate or Breast Cancer Screening During Birthday Month

Mental Health & Wellness

Mental Health Clinics

Healing Arts Chicago

Environmental & Lifestyle Health

Check Air Quality Near You

Quit Smoking

Immigrant Rights

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)

Protecting Chicago (English)

Community & Other Services

More Services: chicago.gov/health

See a Problem on Your Block? Call 311.

311 is Chicago’s non-emergency service line. It connects you to City services for issues that affect your block, your home, or your health.

By Phone: Dial 3-1-1 from any phone in Chicago.

Online: Visit the official 311 portal

City News

• Some Chicago City Council Members Calling for Transparency Over Parking Meter Deal
• Group of City Council Members Seeks to Block Sale of Chicago’s Parking Meters
• 22 Alderpersons Say They’ll Reject Parking Meters Sale, Accuse Johnson of Holding Back Info About the Deal
• Chicago City Council Hearing on Electronic Monitoring Raises More Questions Than Answers
• City Council Committee Backs Crackdown on Selling Weed Near Schools, Parks
• Chicago’s Outdoor Pools Will Open a Week Earlier This Summer
• More Than a Year After Mayor Promised ShotSpotter Replacement, Alders Demand: ‘What’s Taking So Long?’
• 1,200 Crimes, 1 Arrest: Chicago Police Fail to Address Boom in Air Bag Thefts
• Second Installment of 2025 Cook County Property Tax Bills Will Be 2 Months Late, Officials Say
• 30 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade, Midsommarfest, More

Alderman Scott Waguespack

2657 North Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-1330

info@ward32.org