Dear Neighbors,
Monday marked the start of June, which means Pride Month is officially upon us. As an openly gay alderperson, I never take for granted the opportunity to serve our community authentically. Pride is a celebration of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, a recognition of those who fought for equality before us, and a reminder that we are strongest when we ensure Chicago is a city where everyone belongs.
Throughout the month, there will be many opportunities to celebrate and support local LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses across Chicago. If you're looking for ways to get involved, Block Club Chicago has put together a great roundup of Pride events happening throughout the month, and if you are short on time, here are some great Chicago LGBTQ organizations you can support. I'm especially looking forward to joining thousands of you later this month to kick-off the Chicago Pride Parade, one of the largest and most vibrant celebrations in the country.
As summer gets underway, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) is reminding us that reading is for all chapters of life. This week, CPL announced the return of its popular summer reading program for adults, giving Chicagoans a chance to read new books, take part in activities, and earn a limited edition CPL hat. You can stop by the Lincoln Park Library branch to pick up an activity sheet, or learn more about the challenge here. To kick off my personal summer reading, I just picked up “Lazar” by Nelio Biedermann.
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This week, Mercadito at 2423 N Lincoln, Paper Tiger Cafe at 628 W Webster, and Paris312 at 701 W Armitage all opened their doors. Last year alone, we saw more than 30 new business openings in the ward, and we're on track to continue that momentum through 2026. Crain's Chicago Business reported last year that there is a vacancy rate of just 4.3% along Armitage Avenue, measured as one of the most successful boutique retail corridors in the city. In doing so, they note that business owners in our area are now securing rents on new leases at levels approaching double their pre-pandemic rates. Higher rents are a price of that success, which makes it all the more important that we support local and independent businesses whenever we can. You can read more about Mercadito's plans for the space here.
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This June has plenty of opportunities from our office to get involved locally. Join our Volunteer Corps for a Block Heroes community cleanup or walk the ward with our office to help identify infrastructure priorities. These events help us keep our parks, sidewalks, and public spaces in great shape, while giving residents a direct role in shaping the future of our community. To learn more about Block Heroes, watch our cleanup video, and please share the flyers below with any friends who may be interested.
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To close, Lincoln Park Greek Fest returns this weekend on the 2600 block of N. Sheffield at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. As one of the neighborhood's most beloved summer traditions, the festival features Greek food, music, culture, and hospitality for residents and visitors alike.
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Alderperson Timmy Knudsen
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P.S. Summer safety strategies along our beach front are in full swing and I remain in constant communication with our 18th and 19th Chicago Police District (CPD) commanders advocating for heightened safety measures. As many more neighbors and Chicagoans take to the beaches to enjoy the warmer weather, CPD has confirmed the following actions:
Thank you to our police officers and our ward’s CPD leadership for keeping our beaches and lakefront safe. Through strong communication, partnership, and the above actions, the 43rd Ward will continue to be a welcoming and safe place to enjoy the summer season. Also, every summer I like to refamiliarize myself with CPD’s summer safety tips which are a great way to keep you and others in our community safe. To read the full list, click here.
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Community Meetings Regarding ComEd's Substation Proposal
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Modernizing The 43rd Ward Office
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Last week, our office was proud to be highlighted nationally in a new Indigov and Granicus case study recognizing the 43rd Ward as a model for tech-forward constituent services and responsive local government. The report highlights how our office integrates Chicago’s 311 system directly into our internal workflow, allowing us to respond faster, track issues more efficiently, and proactively communicate with residents at scale. I’m incredibly proud of our small but mighty team for continuing to help set a new standard for modern local government as we believe local government should be as responsive, transparent, and modern as the people it serves. I encourage you to check out the full report here.
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ADU Ordinance Now in Effect
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As of April 1, the City’s ordinance to legalize Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), led by Alderman Bennett Lawson and supported by my office, is officially in effect. In just the first two days, the City received 88 applications, an encouraging early sign that residents are ready to take advantage of this long-awaited change. Expanding access to ADUs is an important step toward addressing Chicago’s housing shortage and creating more flexible, affordable living options in our neighborhoods.
If you have ever considered adding an ADU, whether to create additional income or keep family members close, now is a great time to explore your options. You can enter basic information about your property to see how many units you may be eligible for and learn how to get started. The site also includes an interactive map that allows you to look up eligibility by address. I was proud to support this effort, and I encourage you to learn more, share this opportunity with neighbors, and explore how this program can help expand housing options across our city.
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The Recycle Coach app is a simple, all-in-one tool to help you manage trash, recycling, and waste services in your neighborhood. It helps residents stay organized, recycle correctly, and keep up with local services. With Recycle Coach, you can:
- Get personalized trash and recycling pickup reminders
- Look up how to properly dispose of items with the “What Goes Where” tool
- Find drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle materials
- Stay updated on service changes and holiday schedules
- Learn about local recycling events and programs
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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 22 Compstat.
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Week 22 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.
Below is the most recent update we got from CDOT:
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Interactive Ward 43 Parking Zone Map
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Our office has created a parking zone map to help residents better understand where residential parking zones are located throughout the ward. For several streets, a Residential Parking Permit may not be required. Some areas may instead be free parking, pay-to-park, school zones, or tow and loading zones that restrict parking during certain hours.
While the map can be helpful for general reference, posted signage is always the most reliable indicator of parking rules. We encourage residents and visitors to carefully check street signs when parking to confirm the applicable restrictions.
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RANCH Triangle is now offering $1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations whose work benefits residents of the RANCH community. To be eligible, an organization’s work must benefit RANCH residents, though the organization does not need to be located within the neighborhood. Interested non-profits can email RANCH at byryr@protonmail.com for more info. Applications must be submitted by June 5, 2026. NOTE: TODAY, JUNE 5th IS THE LAST DAY
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Kick off summer with a focus on you! Celebrate the season of sunshine at the Lincoln Park Health & Wellness Showcase. This event is FREE and features 30+ local businesses offering free mini-treatments, exclusive giveaways, and more.
Pick up a Health & Wellness Passport when you arrive for details and your chance to win a Health & Wellness Weekend Swag Bag!
Saturday, June 6
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Lincoln Common Plaza
2335 N. Lincoln
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Annual Summer Roll
Lincoln Common - 2345 N Lincoln Ave
Thursday, June 18th
5:00 - 8:00pm
Enjoy Live Tunes by The DJ Firm, Wines by the glass from Verve Wine, Lemonade + Sweet Tea sampling from Raising Cane's Juice + Food sampling from Pure Green
Caricature Artists, Roller skates are provided at no cost. Summer Roll is free and open to the public. Food and drinks are for purchase.
Event is weather permitting. *Roller skates will be provided at no cost. Event is free and open to the public.
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Sunday mornings, 11am-1pm
6/14, 7/12, 8/2 & 8/23
Meet Jennie in the LPHS parking lot
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The Old Town Art Fair takes place on Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14 in the heart of Old Town. There will be 200+ artists, an estimated 35,000 attendees, a Garden Walk, Live Music, Food, and Children’s Corner. Gates open Saturday 10am-7pm & Sunday 10am-6pm
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On June 26 as the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce hosts Cravings on Clark, a neighborhood food crawl featuring samples, specials, and experiences from dozens of local restaurants and businesses. Participants can explore Lincoln Park's vibrant dining scene while supporting small businesses that help make our neighborhood one of Chicago's premier destinations. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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When: SATURDAY JUNE 6TH
Start Line: Butch McGuire's 11:00 AM
Finish Line: Mary Jo McGuire'
ALL Proceeds go towards supporting Chicago Fire Fighters!
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Host an international high school exchange student at Lincoln Park High!
Free and Open to the Public - Register here
The featured students are part of AFS Intercultural Programs, which carefully vets and prepares students from around the world for a successful exchange experience.
Host families complete a simple application and screening process, then choose a student who is the best fit for their family, with support from the local AFS team throughout the year.
Hosting creates lasting impact not only for students, but also for families and communities.
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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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