32nd Ward Newsletter: May 31, 2024

Dear Scott,

The community-wide Roscoe Village Garage Sale takes place tomorrow with over 70 households hosting fun garage sales. Grab some goods and head over to one of the many restaurants on Belmont, Damen, Roscoe, or Western for lunch. You can also head down to Wicker Park and join the Wicker Park Garden Club and Advisory Council for "It's Your Park Day" tomorrow. Community volunteers will pick up litter and support park green spaces in the morning.

There is a brief update included from a CPD 19th District beat meeting and the Area 5 team, as well as a note on the City Council Transportation Committee meeting held yesterday.

CTA President Carter testified after hearing from many riders about the sorry state of the CTA post-pandemic (CTA president angry, defiant at City Council efforts to push him out). Most everyone is still looking for more significant improvements from safety to timeliness.

Have a nice weekend,

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Save the Date - 32nd Ward Blood Drive!

Save the date! You are invited to donate at the blood drive below:

07/10/2024

11:00 AM - 03:30 PM

2657 N. Clybourn

Make an appointment here.

June Beat Meetings

14th Police District-

1433- June 20, 6:30pm

Pulaski Park

1419 W. Blackhawk

1434- June 26, 6:30pm

Bucktown Wicker Park Library

1701 N. Milwaukee

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261

19th Police District-

1932- June 4, 6:30pm

New Life Church

1110 W. Lill

caps.019district@chicagopolice.org

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

Area 5 CPD Brief

Some of you have asked about the status of the Shotspotter contract and at this time we do not have an update. We have done some background work on the contract and there is no question that such an ordinance or order is legal. The legality of the alderman demanding that the tool continue to be used in wards that need it versus the mayor canning the whole system is binding and there is legal precedent for such a ordinance. We will have to wait and see what direction that shotspotter contract goes. 

This week, I met with the Area 5 command staff to discuss crime and the police response in Area 5, which includes the 14th police district. This CPD area includes about a dozen wards and the portion of the 32nd Ward represented by Bucktown & Wicker Park. Crime incidents in Area 5 are up this year versus last year for crimes involving shootings, robberies, vehicular, hijackings, and aggravated batteries. They are down for motor vehicle theft, burglary, and felony theft. Area 5 officers and detectives continue to work hard on making arrests on all of these different crimes. Arrests for theft, aggravated battery, and robberies are up, but are obviously dependent on State's Attorney prosecution and the judiciary to take the final steps of accountability at the county level. 

Detectives praised a resident of the Bucktown Neighborhood Watch as being very helpful in quickly providing camera footage that has led to an arrest in a recent armed robbery. They will be providing details on that arrest next week as they put together their full case. Detectives have also been working on the major armed robbery crews that have been hitting the entire north side and other parts of the city. It has taken close to a year to get a break in a major robbery gang with the direct assistance of the ATF. We will continue to strongly encourage the federal authorities to assist on these major crimes in order to get convictions that are meaningful, as opposed to slaps on the wrist with time served. 

CPD is also preparing for the upcoming Puerto Rican fest in Humboldt Park- June 6-9. The 14th District has assured us that they will have the resources necessary to deal with any of the issues that typically arise outside of the actual fest on that weekend. They often have to deal with caravans of drivers and they will be prepared to assist where they can to make sure that the community remains safe as the festival takes place. 

Update from 1931's Beat Meeting (Belmont/Ashland/Fullerton/Chicago River)

19th District officers were happy to report to the group (mostly Lathrop senior citizens, residents, and nearby neighbors) that there have been no robberies in the past two months- let's hope that holds. However, three of the six burglaries committed were due to the property being unlocked- 2 of these were garages, 1 was an apartment that had the key under the mat; of the other three, two were businesses. Of the 72 thefts, the large majority of these were retail thefts, largely at the Riverpoint Center shopping mall.

Motor vehicle thefts are down 100+ districtwide from last year. Included in the 13 motor vehicle thefts in this period was an attempt at Wolcott and Wellington, where 4 vehicles were loitering and drove off when they saw the police; the police believe they may have had a key/fob cloning device (if a car blinks/responds to a signal, they take it). The 19th District is still giving out steering wheel locks at the station, especially for Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners. A couple of catalytic converters were stolen as well as one license plate- make sure your license plate is there and make a police report if it’s missing to prevent getting tickets in your name.  

Most of the residents in attendance were from Lathrop Homes. One issue that they brought up was people on motorcycles blocking the walkway from Lathrop to the shopping center at various hours; CPD will speak with CHA security regarding this for patrols. 911 has also been called regarding taggers on the south side of Diversey, including 18 taggers out at one time. We have had a hard time getting CHA and their security to prevent this tagging, but will keep on them to provide required patrols. Costco security has also been informed and has been helpful on checking the walk path and areas near the river. If you see any activity in this area, please report details to the police.

Bureau of Detectives - Citywide Robbery Task Force

Community Alert

Armed Robbery- Handgun, Aggravated Battery- Handgun



About the Crime:

In each of these incidents, three to four male black offenders pull up in a stolen vehicle at which time the male black offenders wearing all black/dark colored clothing and black ski masks exit the vehicle and approach the victim(s) while brandishing handguns and demand the victim's property. After taking the victim's property, the masked offenders routinely ask the victim(s) to give them the passcode to their cellphone. The offenders then return to the vehicle and flee. In one of these incidents, an offender shot a bystander who tried to intervene during the course of the robbery.

Incident Dates and Locations:

• 2200 block of North Clybourn Ave on May 14, 2024 at 12:05 AM.

• 2100 block of North Chicago Ave on May 14, 2024 at 12:30 AM.

• 1200 block of North Clybourn Ave on May 15, 2024 at 5:38 AM.

• 1900 block of North Hermitage Ave on May 15, 2024 at 5:48 AM.

• 1100 block of North Marshfield Ave on May 16, 2024 at 5:04 AM.

• 1000 block of North Marshfield Ave on May 16, 2024 at 5:05 AM.

• 1600 block of West Division St on May 16, 2024 at 5:09 AM.

• 2000 block of West North Ave on May 17, 2024 at 3:49 AM.

• 600 block of West Fulton St on May 18, 2024 between 4:45-4:50 AM.

• 300 block of North Clinton St on May 18, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

• 2700 block of North Lockwood Ave on May 24, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

• 4200 block of West School St on May 24, 2024 at 5:15 AM.

• 2300 block of West School St on May 26, 2024 between 4:45-4:48 AM.

• 2300 block of West Roscoe St on May 26, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

• 3200 block of North Western Ave on May 26, 2024 between 4:00-5:00 AM.

About the Offender:

3-4 Male, blacks, all wearing black/dark colored clothing and black ski masks

What you can do:

• Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, etc.)

• Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police

• Never resist a robbery. Value your life over any and all property.

• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information

• Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible

• Do not touch anything until police arrive.

If you have any information, contact the Citywide Robbery Task Force at (312) 742-0231, Area Three Detective Division at (312) 744-8263, or Area Five Detective Division at (312) 746- 8904.

CTA President Testifies at Transportation Committee Hearing

Yesterday, the City Council Committee on Transportation held a meeting with CTA President Dorval Carter in attendance. After several riders testified to the lack of safety, cleaning, timing and a multitude of other issues with the CTA, CTA President Carter testified and defended his tenure as head of the CTA.

Last week, a majority of aldermen filed a resolution to call for President Carter’s resignation or removal by Mayor Johnson. Using our Council rules, Ald. Jason Ervin moved the resolution into the Rules committee where it could possibly sit until the end of this Council term. On the same note, the Mayor preemptively removed his own RTA nominee from consideration after losing the majority of votes before the final vote at Council. Not only have 29 of my aldermanic colleagues and hundreds, if not thousands, of CTA riders called for his resignation, but Gov. JB Pritzker also came out and said it was now time for a change in leadership.

President Carter’s response to criticism of CTA operations was, “as an African American man, this city has a history of attacking and trying to bring down their African American leaders. I know that because I’ve been here and I’ve seen it. ... What I would hope is that we would work together to find a way to support our agency and make our agency better.” His defense culminated with the question, ‘What did I do to warrant being singled out to be fired?”

I was taken aback by his comments and let him know that the pushback and criticism of his work is about leadership and the lack of improvements at the CTA. I don’t believe it has anything to do with race and the myriad of aldermen signing on shows it is more about their constituent riders who want safe, reliable public transit that we are not experiencing post pandemic. 

During the rest of the meeting, aldermen asked Carter for answers on how the CTA would improve on the problems it has been experiencing since the pandemic in 2020. There is a massive funding gap ($735 Million for regional transportation) looming as pandemic funds run out, and we have strongly pushed for Springfield’s assistance in the past to support ideas that could close the gap. What internal action has the CTA taken to increase revenue to address this problem? Where is CTA’s long term financial plan with real ideas as to how to address the financial shortfall and honestly address with accountability what caused the finances to get so bad? The answers from Carter were vague and will require us to look for other means to fill this gap. 

Aldermen have also pushed Carter to clean up the CTA, provide riders with timely buses and trains, and deal with many of the other operational issues that are eating into the CTA budget. Rider and employee safety is of utmost importance as many people feel that safety is not improving at the level it should for frequent riders of the system. While the CTA has hired several companies to provide private security, they are nothing more than additional bodies on the platform and perform very few, if any, safety related services. They cannot make arrests, intervene, or provide directions and as many riders rightly complain, are more focused on their own phones than the issues confronting riders in front of them. 

Due to many of these safety and operational issues, the loss of ridership has been a major factor in revenue shortfall. Pre-pandemic, ridership was at about 1.5 million average rides per day and are now about 1.0 million. Other transit agencies across the US have increased their ridership to pre-covid levels. What actions are CTA taking to recover ridership? Their answers were provided in the CTA Meeting the Moment report. 

Overall, the meeting left me with more concerns than answers and was another disappointing attempt to get clear cut solutions from the CTA. The City Council will continue to push for improvements and answers but needs leadership that will respond to the needs of the system. Perhaps it is time to have the CTA re-create its own Inspector General that other transit agencies have already implemented. While the state IG has some oversight over the CTA, they do not do the same kind of reporting and auditing of the system needed to have a safe and sustainable public transit agency for Chicagoans. An OIG could provide the riders with appropriate oversight and audit waste, fraud, and employee issues while providing much needed audits and reviews of programs and projects such as the $71 million contract for two of the security companies, vendor oversight, contractor compliance, and management reports.

Street Sweeping

2024 Lincoln Park Health & Wellness Weekend

The warmer weather offers new opportunities to get outdoors and stay active. Join us for Lincoln Park Health & Wellness Weekend on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. This two-day event will offer free classes and a Health & Wellness Showcase featuring a variety of local businesses specializing in health and wellness products and services.

Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 9

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Click here for classes and locations.

The Governor's Hometown Awards Application Is Now Open!

The IDHS-Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) in partnership with the Office of the Governor, is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Hometown Awards (GHTA) program.

GHTA gives formal recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community’s quality of life. These projects, sponsored by local units of government, had strong volunteer support, met a need, and made a definitive impact, thereby generating a positive outcome in the community, and by extension, the state.

Interested non-profits, townships, villages, cities, and counties can apply from May 14, 2024, through June 14, 2024, for projects that occurred and utilized volunteers in their communities from the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.

To apply please visit: GHTA Application Link by 5:00 pm on June 14, 2024. On the application link, you will submit the below-required documents:

• A minimum of five (5) and no more than seven (7) photographs that accurately represent the project. Images should be uploaded through the provided application link. Photographs may be utilized for publicity or marketing purposes.
• A copy of the Letter of Support from the unit of local government (applicant).
• A copy of the Letter of Support from the group that completed the project and/or continues to oversee the project (if applicable).

Questions may be sent to: DHS.ServeIllinois@illinois.gov.

Seeking Applications - FY 2024 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program

Deadline: July 18, 2024

The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for the FY 2024 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks applications to support efforts by state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies and their partners in conducting outreach, educating practitioners and the public, enhancing victim reporting tools, and investigating and prosecuting hate crimes committed on the basis of a victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

You can download the solicitation here.

Eligible Applicants: State, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies. Tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies must be from federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior).



Note that there are two deadlines for this solicitation. July 18, 2024, at 8:59 PM EDT for submission to Grants.Gov and July 25, 2024, at 8:59 PM EDT for submission to JustGrants.

2024 Aldermanic Forum

June 20th 10:30AM (NEW DATE)

Join the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (LRVCC) as we welcome 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson, 46th Ward Alderman Angela Clay, and 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin for our 2024 Aldermanic Business Forum.

This event will give businesses the opportunity to hear directly from their local representatives about issues that matter to them. 

Registration is required.

Marketing Mania is Back!

June 13th 9AM

Marketing Mania is back! The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is excited to present Marketing Mania 2024. This half day education event is a great way to learn more about marketing your business, ask questions, and have one on one time with marketing professionals. 

Join them for a presentation from Jennifer Fournier of viaDIGERATI about Maximizing Marketing ROI, a panel from local business owners, and a time to network. Registration includes a lite breakfast from Steingold's and coffee. 

Tickets are included in Chamber membership or $20 for non-members. 

See you June 13th at Mercury Theater! 

City News Links

• City Council Votes to Keep ShotSpotter, but Mayor Brandon Johnson Insists It Will Still Go Away
• Illinois General Assembly- Bill Proposing Change from ‘Offender’ to ‘Justice Impacted Individual’ Advances to Governor’s Desk
• CPS Principal, Staff Stymied Police Investigation of Mass Shooting at Pilsen High School, Emails, Interviews Show
• New O’Hare Concourse Revealed, 6 Years After It Was Announced
• City Council Members Push for Leadership Change at CTA, RTA Appointee, Bears/Mayor Billions-Ald. Scott Waguespack joins Paul Lisnek's WGN-TV Political Report
• Chicago Free Museum Days Summer 2024: Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Botanic Garden, and More 
• CTA President Angry, Defiant at City Council Efforts to Push Him Out
• How to Check if You Have Unclaimed Money Owed to You in Illinois
• Chicago Police Warn of More Than Two Dozen Armed Robberies on Northwest Side