1st Ward Newsletter | October 6, 2026
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Hi neighbors,
I hope you're enjoying the changing colors and sweater weather of early October. In this newsletter opening, I wanted to highlight three items up for votes in the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety this Friday, each of which has a direct impact on 1st Ward residents.
Smart Streets Pilot Expansion: As you may be aware, through the Smart Streets Pilot, there is automated enforcement of parking violations in bike lanes, bus lanes, and select other spaces through cameras affixed to the city vehicles and CTA buses. It has been both efficient, effective, and equitable: this initiative requires less overall personnel, takes an enforcement burden off the shoulders of police officers, and ensures safe use of our infrastructure. This program has only operated east of Ashland, but the ordinance we take up in committee this week would expand it to the entirety of the city.
Divvy/Lyft Contract: The city has been negotiating a five-year extension of our contract with Lyft, which operates our municipal bikeshare program, and it will be coming up for a vote. The contract would ensure upgraded vehicles and infrastructure across the Divvy network; reduce annual membership costs; a cap e-bike ride costs; increase revenue to the city; and ensure hundreds of union jobs remain in the city. I know that thousands of 1st Ward residents utilize Divvy on a regular basis and I strongly believe this contract addresses many of the concerns you have voiced to my office over the years.
Feasibility Study on Palmer Square Pedestrian Improvements: Over the past year there has been a lot of excitement and apprehension over infrastructure changes that could be made adjacent to Palmer Square Park to improve traffic safety. Some have advocated for protected bike lanes and restoring the park to its historic boundaries; others have said that maintaining as many lanes of traffic as possible is their top priority. Having the Chicago Department of Transportation conduct a feasibility study will give us the clearest sense of what is and is not possible. It does not commit us to any choices; to the contrary, it just gives us the most accurate sense of what those choices actually are. I'm very hopeful this item will move forward.
Have a wonderful week!
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Alderman La Spata
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1st Ward Office Closure
The 1st Ward Office will be closed on Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. There will be no refuse collection on Monday, October 12, 2026. All city-collected refuse will be serviced Tuesday through Friday. Residents should ensure all black refuse carts are accessible throughout the week of collection, not solely on their regular day of collection.
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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The final Meet Me on Milwaukee of 2026 takes place on October 25! We're seeking volunteers to sign-up for 3-hour shifts on each event day. Volunteers will be responsible for setting up barricades, guarding intersections, redirecting drivers, providing information to attendees, disposing of litter, and more. Volunteers will also receive a free Meet Me on Milwaukee shirt. Register below!
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Join Ald. La Spata for a blood drive and free vaccine clinic today from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the West Town Library! Walgreens will be offering the following vaccines:
- Flu & COVID
- Adult routine vaccinations (RSV, shingles, pneumonia, tdap, and hepatitis B)
No registration is required to receive a vaccine. Insurance is required. To donate blood, please make an appointment here.
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Join Ald. La Spata and community organizations on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Salmon P. Chase Elementary (2021 N. Point) to discuss Chicago's current redistricting process and Ald. La Spata's reform ordinance. Register here.
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The Department of Streets and Sanitation would like to remind residents of how to properly dispose of tree leaves. Please reuse them as mulch in your yard or bag them up and submit a 311 request for yard waste pick-up. Please do not sweep, rake, or blow your leaves into the street.
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Join the Northern Illinois Transportation Authority anytime between 3 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, at Chicago Union Station’s Burlington Room (225 S. Canal St) for an interactive public open house and share your ideas for the future of transit across the region.
The event is designed for you to explore at your own pace, walk through the rider journey on the regional transit system, discuss pain points and future improvements, and learn more about what NITA, CTA, Metra, and Pace have planned for regional transit in 2027 and beyond. Agency staff will be available to discuss regional service planning, budget priorities for next year, capital investments, safety, and the rider experience. There will also be tables on doing business with the regional transit system and applying to work at the agencies. Register here.
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Fallapalooza is next Friday, Oct. 16 at Harold Washington Library (enter through the 401 S. Plymouth Court entrance) from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.! Designed for teens ages 14–19, Fallapalooza provides a safe, fun and welcoming environment for young people to connect with peers and enjoy an evening of engaging activities, including:
- A taco bar
- Arts and crafts
- Spooky activities
- Laser tag
- Costume competition with prizes
- And more!
This event is free! Register here.
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Boo-Palooza and Bark-Palooza are back at Wicker Park next Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.! Learn more about this annual event and how to get involved here.
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Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) hosts Open House Chicago (OHC) — a free public festival that instills civic pride through providing access to places of architectural, historical and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.
This year, OHC is taking place October 17 and 18 and three sites are located in the 1st Ward!
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Virtual 1st Ward First Look: October 19, 2026 (6pm) (RSVP)
- 2429-2431 W Fullerton: Potential contract purchaser proposes mixed use redevelopment of existing vacant lot, to establish ground floor commercial and 38 dwelling units.
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Community Review Updates
- Chicago Avenue Zoning Ordinance in Committee on Zoning! Following review from the Department of Planning and Development and Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards, Alderman La Spata formally submitted the ordinance to rezone Chicago Avenue underlying commercial zoning from B1 to B3, specifically to facilitate uses such as restaurant with incidental consumption of liquor on premises. Other liquor-related uses such as Packaged Goods or Tavern uses would still require Zoning Board of Appeals approval. You can refer to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance (17-3-0207) for a full listing and comparison of the use groups that would be permitted under B3 zoning.
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Recent Policy Recommendations
- VIABLE ALTERNATIVE EXISTS -- 1416 W Grand: A zoning attorney reached out to propose rezoning a previously demolished multi-unit residential lot to establish 3 dwelling units. This property can be developed by right with 3 dwelling units, no zoning change is needed. (received October 2026)
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