1st Ward Newsletter | February 24, 2026
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Dear neighbors,
I went to the 1st Ward's capital improvement plan briefing this past Friday and there's a lot to share! You can come see the maps for yourself in our office, but highlights include the reconstruction of Grand Avenue (work set to begin this spring); the replacement of a 120 year-old water main along Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square; and lighting improvements along California and Armitage. We know that infrastructure work is beneficial and disruptive, but please know my office and I are committed to maximizing the benefits while managing the disruptions to our best abilities. I know that communication and accountability will be of paramount importance on both the Milwaukee and Grand Avenue projects.
We also received data on sidewalk inspections in the 1st Ward. I had already learned that only about 2.5% of sidewalk inspections citywide were routed for repair in 2025, and the numbers are not much better for the 1st Ward. Of the 276 sidewalk inspections that had work order determinations in 2025 (some resolving inspections going back to 2021), only 4.3% were routed for repair. For a concrete example–pun intended–how is the sidewalk at 2427 W. Palmer Ave not hazardous, but simply a "Shared Cost Sidewalk Candidate"?
Part of the problem is that CDOT no longer appears to make objective determinations of sidewalk condition and has said that they will not apply the word "hazardous" to sidewalks. This choice appears designed to limit legal liability, but not only does this reflect inadequate funding for sidewalk repair, it means we are not even able to determine what adequate funding would look like. Please know that we will be doing our best to investigate this matter further, while also using our menu funds to supplement CDOT's efforts more effectively.
This is where I'd share more about our upcoming participatory budgeting process, but I'm leaving that to next week's guest author Victoria Cortez! With a generous mix of anxiety and hope my wife and are looking toward the birth of our second child next Monday. As I had previously shared, I'll be on paternity leave for the following ten weeks. I have complete trust in the 1st Ward's incredible staff to make sure our services and community engagement are maintained at the high levels you expect and deserve.
Looking forward to introducing you to latest resident of the 1st Ward :)
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Alderman La Spata
P.S. Click here to open this newsletter in another tab!
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Property Taxes
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will mail nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2025 First Installment property tax bills by March 2. Payments are due Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Property taxes are available online at cookcountytreasurer.com. To make a payment online follow these steps:
- Select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free.”
- Enter your address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN).
A picture of your property should appear so you’ll know you’re paying the correct bill. There’s no fee to pay online from your bank account. The Treasurer’s Office accepts partial payments, but First Installment taxes must be paid in full by 11:59 p.m. April 1, to avoid a state-mandated late charge of 0.75 percent a month.
The First Installment is 55% of the previous year's total tax. Exemptions are applied to the Second Installment due later this year.
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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Join the 1st Ward Office and the Wicker Park Advisory Council for some bingo on Tuesday, March 10 at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse! There will be food, music, prizes, and more. Hope to see you there!
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Community News and Events
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Join the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights for a virtual Immigration Workshop on the Travel Ban. Along with partners from CAIR, United African Organization, MIRA, Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC), Syrian Community Network, United Communities Network, Family Focus Nuestra Familia, and Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, we will discuss the ban, what restrictions it includes, who it impacts, and what options are available for those impacted. Register here.
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On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) will hold its monthly public meeting at Gurdon S. Hubbard High School (6200 S. Hamlin Ave). For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will also be available via Zoom. This month’s agenda includes:
- COPA and OIG roles in oversight of CPD interactions with federal immigration enforcement agencies.
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The Department of Water Management is holding a virtual public hearing on March 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment regarding our intent to apply for loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for Lead Service Line Replacement activities. Learn more and submit a public comment here.
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