Dear Neighbors,
For the first time in 122 years, Lincoln Park High School is playing for the Chicago Public League City Men’s Basketball Championship. I could not be more proud of these student-athletes and Coach Josh Anderson for battling one of the city’s toughest schedules and earning their place in this moment. We are fortunate to have such a dynamic public high school in our neighborhood, and I hope our entire community rallies behind the Lions as they face Curie tonight, Friday, February 20th, at 8:00 p.m., Credit Union 1 Arena. I hope to see many of you there, and you can tune into the livestream if you are unable to attend. Go Lions!
Fun historical note: LPHS won the 1904 title as the “North Division,” defeating Austin 26 to 19 before the school became Waller and later Lincoln Park as we know it today.
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As a follow-up to the aldermanic-led 2026 City Budget that I was proud to help negotiate and pass, 24 colleagues and I launched a Budget Accountability Coalition to ensure the budget is implemented exactly as adopted. This historic alternative budget secured structural efficiencies, responsible revenue reforms, and enforcement measures that differed from the Mayor’s original proposal, all while avoiding additional burdens on homeowners. Now, our job is to make sure those commitments are carried out. Especially at this unique moment - where the Mayor’s Office is implementing a budget it did not advance - the work does not end with the vote. It will require steady oversight and follow through throughout the year.
Of the Budget Accountability Coalition, I will lead a working group focused on environmental ordinance enforcement revenue, ensuring the fines, forfeitures, and penalties included in the Council-approved budget are properly implemented. Simply put, when laws are broken, the city should enforce them and collect the revenue already built into our budget. Our working group will monitor progress, work directly with related departments, and flag gaps early if enforcement is not occurring and targets are not being met. This is about protecting the reforms we fought for, maintaining fiscal discipline, and positioning Chicago responsibly for 2027 and beyond.
February 13 marked eight years since the passing of Commander Paul R. Bauer, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2018 while serving in the 18th District. Commander Bauer dedicated more than 31 years to the Chicago Police Department, and his leadership and service continue to leave a lasting impact on our city.
As we remember his sacrifice, we stand with his family, his colleagues, and all who serve in his honor to help keep our communities safe. I also want to thank the officers of the 18th District for their continued partnership with our office. Their professionalism and commitment are essential to public safety in the 43rd Ward, and we remain committed to supporting our first responders as we work together to strengthen safety across our neighborhood.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, we were proud to honor Ted Wrobleski, who will step down from the Sheffield Neighborhood Association’s Board of Directors next week after 45 years of extraordinary service to Lincoln Park and the 43rd Ward. Alderman Hopkins led a resolution in Ted’s honor, to rightfully make his contributions to the Sheffield area a permanent part of Chicago's history.
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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 7 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 7 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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The Chicago Police Department has released its January In Review, summarizing department activity & citywide trends from the past month in 2026. The report shows declines in several major crime categories compared to January 2025, including shootings, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts, as well as information on firearm recoveries and recent enforcement efforts across the city. You can read the full report here.
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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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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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