Dear Neighbors,
Early voting begins this Monday, March 2nd, at the Lincoln Park Library. Our office is here to ensure every 43rd Ward resident has the information they need to participate. On Monday, we will send a follow-up email with helpful, non-partisan resources to guide you through the local voting process. Whether you choose to vote early, by mail, or on Election Day (March 17th), having a plan in place makes voting quicker and easier.
Chicago’s Credit Downgrade
This week, credit rating agencies Fitch and Kroll downgraded Chicago’s credit rating, citing consecutive budget shortfalls, reliance on one-time fixes, and ongoing structural deficits. These ratings matter because they directly impact how much the city pays to borrow, and higher borrowing costs ultimately fall on taxpayers.
This news is serious, though not surprising. Many of us raised concerns early in last year’s budget process about temporary revenues and delayed structural reforms and efficiencies. We are now seeing added uncertainty from the mayor’s administration around whether they will make the advanced pension payment that the aldermanic-led budget requires, which would deepen the projected deficit and raise further credit rating concerns. Below are two recent reports from the Civic Federation that outline practical recommendations to strengthen transparency and long-term financial planning. This week, I met with the Civic Federation’s President, Joe Ferguson, to discuss tangible steps we can advocate for, positioning Chicago towards stable, long-term growth that benefits every neighborhood.
Chicago's Budget Process Needs a Transformation
Chicago's FY2026 Adopted Budget: Still Short of the Mark
Landmarking DePaul’s Cortelyou Commons
Last week, I sat down with Kieran Stover of The DePaulia to discuss the Commission on Chicago Landmarks's recent vote to grant preliminary landmark status to Cortelyou Commons, which protects the building’s exterior while the City Council considers permanent designation. Immediately after this conversation, we learned that the commission is beginning the landmarking process for Byrne Hall as well. This is important news for the 43rd Ward and a meaningful step toward securing permanent protections for two of our neighborhood’s most significant historic buildings.
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Development throughout the 43rd Ward requires balance. When new investment moves forward, we should also secure lasting protections for the historic structures that define our community. With the community’s support, our office secured DePaul’s commitment to support the landmarking of both buildings as part of last year’s amended development plans related to the Student Athletic Center. These two buildings are a part of our neighborhood's historic fabric, and preserving significant buildings like this ensures that as our community continues to evolve, we protect our architectural character and history.
New Community Initiatives from the 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps
Finally, I am excited to share that our office and the 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps are launching two new pilot programs this March to expand civic engagement and strengthen neighborhood stewardship. These initiatives reflect a simple belief: the more neighbors who are informed and involved, the stronger our community becomes.
The first pilot, Block Heroes, invites residents to join organized neighborhood walks to proactively identify and report infrastructure and environmental concerns. Instead of waiting for problems to surface, we are empowering neighbors to be part of the solution. The second pilot is a new civic workshop series called How It Works, beginning with “Block Talk on Tap: What is a Ward?” This event will break down how local government functions and give residents practical tools to engage more effectively. You can find additional details in the graphics below and register for Block Heroes here, register for the Block Talk event here, and sign up for 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps updates here.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the planning teams behind these 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps pilot programs. Your dedication towards these community initiatives positively impacts our community, and presents residents with even more ways to get involved.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, March 2nd, in observance of Pulaski Day. We will hold regular Saturday office hours on February 28th; however, there will be no Saturday hours on March 7th due to the holiday schedule.
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Thank you to the neighbors who joined us for our first Meet & Greet of 2026. It was a strong turnout and a great way to begin the year! This meet and greets gave residents the opportunity to speak directly with officers from the 18th and 19th Districts, ask questions, and share block-level concerns directly with me and the officers that serve them. Open communication between neighbors and law enforcement strengthens trust and makes us all safer.
During the meeting, I also highlighted the CTA’s new safety plan and encouraged residents to stay informed about the steps being taken to improve safety across the transit system. Many of our neighbors rely on public transportation every day, and transit safety is a key component of overall neighborhood safety. In addition, Beats 1811 and 1813 are currently seeking Beat Facilitators. Beat Facilitators play an important leadership role by helping coordinate CAPS meetings and serving as a liaison between the community and CPD. If you are interested or would like more information about what the role entails, please email our office.
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Crime, and safety remain top of mind for our community. Each week, the 18th and 19th District post Compstat numbers that reflect changes in indexes for key crimes. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th & 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.
For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Week 8 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 8 Compstat.
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We work closely with the 43rd Ward’s local CAPS districts, which include the 18th (Near North) and 19th (Town Hall) Police Districts. Our office is in frequent contact with officers from both of these districts and their local CAPS officers, who host a variety of community forums and events including beat meetings, informational settings, and expert panel discussions, as well as sending out community alerts when a pattern of crime is detected.
Beat Meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy and an excellent way to hear directly from CPD about your neighborhood. Meetings are held in the evenings every two months. Click here and find out your Police District and Beat number, and click here for a larger and printable version of the graphic.
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Ald. Knudsen Urges Johnson & CDOT to Prioritize Bridge Closures and Offer Alternative Traffic Congestion Plans
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"The ongoing closure of river bridges (especially the Cortland Bridge) has created major traffic strain and frustration for residents and businesses alike. Alongside seven other aldermen, I sent a letter to Mayor Johnson urging his administration and CDOT to prioritize this bridge issue. My office will continue pushing for clearer communication, smarter coordination, and the fastest safe timeline possible to get these bridges reopened." -Ald. Timmy Knudsen
Alderman Knudsen supported a proposal from 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins requiring the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to present a detailed traffic plan before closing any bridge for more than 30 days. The plan must outline how congestion will be reduced — including detours, parking adjustments, and other mitigation strategies. Our office also received a letter back from CDOT, outlining steps they are taking to help reduce traffic congestion and delays for 43rd Ward residents. You can read it here.
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Savor Lincoln Park returns as Chicago’s premier indoor neighborhood food festival, bringing together more than 25 of Lincoln Park’s top restaurants for one unforgettable evening celebrating our local dining scene.
With one ticket, guests can enjoy sample bites from each participating restaurant, explore new favorites, and experience the incredible culinary talent right here in our community.
Attendees will also have access to the event’s silent auction, featuring curated packages and experiences from some of Chicago’s top destinations. Get your tickets here, and see the full list of participating restaurants here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Have questions about street work happening in your area? The Department of Transportation has a wonderful tool to look up street work in your area called the Chi Street Work Portal. Here you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street. The map is also interactive, allowing residents to view the real permits, view projects in other areas of the City, and see which type of work is being done on your street.
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Parking Enforcement via 311
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The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that City residents now have the option of reporting the following parking enforcement violations: Bus Lane Parking, Commercial Loading Zone, Commercial Vehicle Parked on a Residential Street, Disabled Parking, Fire Hydrant Parking, Residential Parking, Rush Hour Zones, School Safety Zones, Vehicle Parked in Bike Lane, Other (Semi-trucks parked on streets, etc.) Neighbors can report parking violations by calling 311, using the CHI311 app, or through the 311 website. The request type is “Finance Parking Code Enforcement Review.”
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E-Scooters and E-Bikes Policy Updates
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Please click here for updated guidance and rules from CDOT on Scooter and E-Bike rides.
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I want to keep spreading the good word of how powerful a tool CHI 311 is to address non-emergency services in our Ward. Via the CHI 311 website and mobile app, you can:
- Create new service requests and check the status of existing requests (such as on timing and completion).
- Snap a photo of an issue to submit it with a request to improve location accuracy.
- Get local and relevant information/tips regarding the 43rd Ward including visibility into what other requests are being made in your neighborhood. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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