Alderman La Spata

Images of Ald. Daniel La Spata on Chicago Tonight with text overlaid

Images of Ald. Daniel La Spata on Chicago Tonight with text overlaid

The Committee on Finance vote made it clear that we have a lot of work to do before we can pass a budget, but I’m committed to working towards a responsible, transparent budget that supports safe, stable neighborhoods for all Chicagoans.

As they stand, I would have been 'no' votes on the bond and management ordinances as they fail to achieve the transparency and responsibility demanded by 1st Ward residents. I remain committed to doing the hard work of crafting the budget you deserve over the coming weeks. (5/5)

The Revenue Ordinance failed and all other votes have been indefinitely delayed, proving that we have much work to do in developing a stable and responsible budget that has the political support to pass. (4/5)

I was thinking of those who recognize the necessity of a TIF surplus in maintaining our school budgets, the importance of continuing our holistic investments in community safety, and the fairness in asking corporations in Chicago to pay incrementally more for the safety we all benefit from. (3/5)

As the first name called in any roll call I don't have the benefit of watching how the chips fall; my vote is always a vote of conscience.

That said, in reviewing your emails, texts, survey responses, and comments at the recent budget town hall, I voted yes on the Revenue Ordinance. (2/5)

🧵 Today in the Committee on Finance, the 2026 Revenue Ordinance (i.e. how we fund our government in 2026) was called for a vote. I, and many of my colleagues, believed that the vote should have been delayed but that motion failed on an 18-18 split vote. (1/5)

At today’s City Council meeting, I introduced ordinances tied to the budget and an ordinance requiring any company contracting with the city to disclose any past or current work with ICE/CBP. Any company that contributes to the harm of our communities does not deserve our business.

Graphic reading “Ald. Daniel La Sparta’s 2026 Budget Priorities” with a smiling Ald La Spata

Graphic on positive policy proposals available in the 2026 Budget Recommendations

Areas of concern for Ald. La Spata in the 2026 Budget Recommendations

Additional priorities for the 2026 budget

🚨 New blog alert! Review my updated budget priorities, informed by resident feedback, at www.the1stward.com/budget-blog-17

Quote: “In this moment, particularly of information confusion—knowledge confusion—librarians are the opposite of AI-slop. Librarians curate space, they teach you how to learn, how to be curious, to think. That is what we need in this particular day.”

I had the pleasure of joining WBEZ yesterday morning to discuss the proposed cuts to the library in next year’s budget. Listen to the full segment: linktr.ee/aldlaspata

I'll be on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons tomorrow morning to discuss the proposed cuts to the Chicago Public Library's budget. Tune in to WBEZ at 9:00 a.m.!

Librarians, Aldermen Push Back Against Proposed Library Cuts Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed 2026 budget calls for eliminating some vacant library positions and halving the agency's collections budget from $10 million to $5 million.

Yesterday, I said I wouldn't vote for a budget that didn't restore the Chicago Public Library's budget and I meant it. Fund the libraries. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/l...

Halloween themed flyer for Meet Me On Milwaukee

Just a few more days until the final Meet Me On Milwaukee and this one is going to be spooOOooOky 👻Heads up, this month we'll be shutting down a bit earlier at 4 PM to make sure we reopen the street safely as the sun sets a bit earlier.
Hope to see you out there!

Breakdown of budget for CPD Mounted Unit by position

Funding for different programs such as gender based violence services

The Mayor’s proposed budget allocates more money from the Corporate Fund to CPD’s mounted unit ($2.8M) than gender based violence ($0). This is deeply concerning to me.

🗣️ 1st Ward business owners: Stop by our office (1958 N. Milwaukee) and pick up your sign designating your business as an ICE-Free Zone. Find more resources at the1stward.com/ice.

We’re closed tomorrow but back open on Tuesday!

Park 399 is officially open! This project was voted on by 1st Ward residents and partially funded with menu dollars.

There's still much work to do, but the trends show that our investments in infrastructure are moving us to achieving Vision Zero.

Just wrapped up a hearing with CDOT on traffic crashes. Some key data points I want to share:

🚗 Traffic fatalities down 30% from the 2021 peak
🏥 Chicago experienced the lowest number of serious injury crashes on record since 2012
🚦 85% of fatal crashes involved reckless driving

What’s there to love about a car-free street? Everything.

Check out the full video on my IG: @aldermanlaspata

Happy to be in Chicago this week utilizing the amazing transit system, bike share and walkable grid!!

Week forecast featuring pedestrian signals, bikes, trains, and buses in place of odds of precipitation

Today marks the start of #WeekWithoutDriving and the forecast looks great for walking, biking, & public transit!

WWD is a chance to challenge yourself to cut back on vehicle trips and try other ways of getting around.

Let’s build communities that are inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Ald La Spata sits at the dais in city council chambers

We’re talking speed camera reform in committee today. Tune in right now: www.chicityclerk.com

Advocates hope action on sidewalk snowplow program heats up soon One advocate described the City Council saga as “a giant waste of everyone’s time over meaningless political games.”

“I think the ball first and foremost is in the mayor’s court on this...If he wants this to happen, it will happen.”
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/12/a...

1st Ward Office Staff smile for a photo on Milwaukee Ave

Ald. La Spata (neon shirt) laughs with a Chicago Police officer

Ald. La Spata smiles for a photo with Mayor Brandon Johnson, Pamela Maass of the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Capifali of BACP, and interim Commissioner Turner of CDOT

The first #MeetMeOnMilwaukee is in the books! Huge thanks to everyone who made this day possible: the 1st Ward team, 14th District, Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, & CDOT.

If you joined us on Sunday, please fill out our survey to make future events even better! forms.gle/X5wDqxZu4Fbh...

THIS SUNDAY! Milwaukee from Damen to Ashland. No cars. 10 AM - 5 PM. Be there or be square.
#MeetMeOnMilwaukee

“The fact that it is already guiding development in this area, it is more in line with what we want to see for the neighborhood and for the city, that to me is a very real-world success.”

English mammogram flyer.

Spanish mammogram flyer

When caught in its earliest stage, the survival rate for breast cancer is 99%. I'm happy to share that FREE mammograms will be available in Humboldt Park starting on Monday! No insurance or appointment is required. Please share widely and help keep our communities healthy!

Have Thoughts On Chicago's Speed Cameras? You Can Weigh In Through A City Survey A city working group is seeking feedback on recommendations to make the speed camera program more equitable as Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration adds 50 cameras this year.

"When you see some of these cameras that are generating $1 million in revenue in year one and they’re still generating that much revenue in year 10, that’s a failure of speed control. That’s not a success." blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/h...

English 8/27 community meeting flyer

Spanish 8/27 community meeting flyer

Next Wednesday: Join me and Ald. Fuentes for a community meeting on the upcoming water main replacement on California (North to Armitage). Register at bit.ly/dwm82725

🕐 6:00 p.m.
📍Moos Elementary

English survey flyer

Spanish survey flyer

How can Chicago be more transparent, equitable, and effective when it comes to speed cameras? Where should the revenue go? Take the Equity in Enforcement Working Group’s Community Priority Survey and weigh in on 20 draft reform recommendations. Survey open until 8/25. bit.ly/ASE-survey

📢 Fee-waived adoptions all August at Chicago Animal Care and Control! 🐾

Stop by 2741 S Western Ave and meet your new best friend.
🐶🐱

Adoption hours: 12–7 p.m. daily (arrive by 5:30 p.m. to adopt)

#ClearTheShelters #AdoptDontShop #ChicagoACC