1st Ward Newsletter | June 9, 2026
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Dear neighbors,
On Friday afternoon, CDOT planner Riley O’Neil was biking home from work in a striped bike lane on Halsted when he was doored by a driver and subsequently killed when run over by a truck. Monday evening I joined many 1st Ward residents and hundreds of Chicagoans to remember his life and protest the completely preventable circumstances of his death. Riley was kind, compassionate, and committed to the safety of all Chicagoans as they move through their neighborhoods. I believe he would want to be remembered with both joy and action; I hope the latter follows.
A letter also went out from 22 of my colleagues citing their intent to vote no on the proposed sale of the lease of our parking meters. I’ll be honest: had they asked, I would have been the 23. So far Council has been presented mostly with non-answers and what little we do know–Stonepeak has directly profited from ICE-related deportations–is deeply distressing. So far one subject matter hearing on this topic has already been cancelled. It remains to be seen if a credible case can be made that we should vote for this.
I hope I’ll see you this Saturday at the West Town Library for story time at 10:30! While the intended audience is under ten, I think bus driving pigeons and Fancy Nancy can be amusing for listeners of all ages :)
Sincerely,
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Alderman La Spata
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Street Closure Notice
Please be advised that eastbound traffic on Superior St will be closed between Wood and Paulina this Friday, June 19th between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a crane lift. (Saturday, June 20th will be added in case of bad weather on Friday.)
Please note that No Parking will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both sides of the street. Addresses affected will be 1700 through 1759 W. Superior St. Residents will not be able to leave after 9:00 AM due to the crane causing a full closure.
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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Join Ald. La Spata and staff at one of the 1st Ward's June 2026 events!
- Friday, June 12: Yoga in the Park
- Saturday, June 13: Storytime with Alderman La Spata
- Friday, June 26: Shred-A-Thon
- Saturday, June 27: Tree Stewardship Day (Register here)
Learn more about each event at www.the1stward.com/events!
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Also taking place this month is our first Meet Your Elected Officials event! Come on down to Oud Coffee & Cafe in Wicker Park for an evening with your local elected officials, including Ald. La Spata, State Representatives Lilian Jimenez (4th District) and Eva-Dina Delgado (3rd District), State Senator Omar Aquino (2nd District). No registration required.
Plus save the date for August 26 for another Meet Your Electeds event in Logan Square/Bucktown featuring other electeds! More information at the1stward.com/events.
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Opioid Overdoses
Last week, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) alerted the ward office of a spike in opioid overdose clusters, with a spike of daily overdoses increasing from 19 to 34 on June 3, 2026. While these clusters are outside the ward, the 1st Ward Office would like to share the City's resources on opioid overdoses.
CDPH has numerous recommended resources to address opioid overdose. This includes resources to understand, prevent, respond, and to recover from overdose. For a list of CDPH Mental Health Centers, please click here.
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CACC is hosting another adoption event with all fees waived this Saturday at their main office located at 2741 S. Western Ave! Click here to see the pets looking for their furever home.
If adoption isn't an option right now but you'd like to help Chicago's shelter animals, please consider volunteering with CACC! The next volunteer information session is taking place this Sunday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. Learn more about volunteering here.
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On Saturday, June 13, ChaiTown Addas is hosting Healing Garden of Suqoon at Pulaski Park — a free, all-day wellness and cultural gathering open to all 1st Ward residents and the broader Chicago community. Programming includes physician-led wellness workshops (React PT + TMJ specialist Dr. Shahneel Ahmed), yoga to live Indian classical music, somatic movement, a vendor bazaar with local artisans and healers, outdoor DJ, and parallel child programming.
Learn more about the event and register for free here!
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Shop locally and sustainably at our 2026 Wicker Park Farmers Market, every Sunday from 8 a..m. – 2 p.m. in the summer! Enjoy 50+ local vendors, free yoga classes, live music, park games and so much more!
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Virtual 1st Ward First Look – June 29, 2026, 6 p.m.
2455 N California (Numerous requests) Property owner requests a zoning map amendment to legally subdivide a formerly-adjacent side yard to the 3-flat at 2453 N California, and establish a two-flat. The zoning map amendment is necessary to create a buildable zoning lot, which would then be improved with a building the matches the predominance of the block (multi-unit residences).
*Another zoning case may be added to this meeting, if materials are received by June 16, 2026 newsletter.
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