Newsletter #7: We Stopped the Cubs Parking Lot Expansion
Welcome to the Kalen for 44th Ward campaign newsletter. It’s a newsletter that’s focused on how we can make a better Lakeview for All, together.
Before we dive in: This campaign is powered by neighbors — not corporations — and we need your help to run this grassroots effort. Donate to support this grassroots campaign! I need your help to fight for all of us! Thank you!
We also need volunteers to knock on doors and collect signatures to get me on the ballot. Sign up to canvass throughout the week and every weekend!
Policy Corner: Why Did It Take So Long to Win the Wrigley Field Parking Lot Battle?
The Voices of Lakeview Residents Were Finally Heard
We finally won the battle to defeat the Cubs planned expansion of their surface parking lot when our current alderman recently rejected the proposal. But why did it take him so long to do so when for so many months we provided solid details on the detrimental effects such an expansion would have had for Lakeview?
The Facts Were Always on Our Side
The Cubs submitted a request to amend their Camry Lot planned development to the City and add hundreds of new parking spaces near Wrigley Field, bringing even more cars into an area that already gets slammed with traffic on game days. The proposal would have used the adjacent House of Good Shepherd property, which they acquired, to increase available parking at the Camry Lot by 368 parking spots from 579 to 947.
They proposed this because they said it would alleviate gameday traffic and parking issues, but it is a well-studied phenomenon that more parking incentivizes more driving, worsens congestion, and creates more safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists. All this undermines the pedestrian-friendly experience that Wrigleyville offers, which goes in direct contradiction to our current alderman’s own community plan to "prioritize pedestrian safety and walkability."
For many good reasons, our community didn’t want this parking lot expansion. I just want to add that this was never anti-Cubs or sports; it was always about the impact to the community, and impact we felt was very unnecessary. The Cubs made arguments to why this expansion would benefit the gameday experience, but we had detailed facts and findings that disproved their logic and reasonings. There is too much to go into here, but you can read it all in detail on this fact sheet.
We provided this information and fought this battle for several months. To us, the logic was irrefutable, and, apparently, it turned out to be so as our alderman finally rejected the plan. But why did it take so long?
I Was at the Forefront of the Battle
For months, I organized neighbors to send almost 3,000 letters to Alderpeople and the Cubs opposing this proposal. I mobilized dozens of residents to speak out against it at multiple community meetings. Amid all that, my opponent dragged out the decision and kept his constituents in the dark. When he finally decided to reject the plan, he cited our “strong and consistent” opposition — that’s people power!
We won a monthslong fight for the climate, walkability, and future of Wrigleyville. This walkability is what makes Wrigley Field special, what makes it easy for fans and residents to grab a drink before a game, shop at a local business, or enjoy the many activities in the area.
This is obviously good news, but constituents shouldn’t have had to spend months pushing their Alder to do the right thing. Imagine if we could have spent that time working with the office to actively improve pedestrian safety and cut emissions, like fully pedestrianizing Clark Street year-round, not just during game days. We could have been organizing to actively improve pedestrian safety and cut emissions instead of fighting for so long against a proposal that obviously would have worsened both.
Lakeview Needs Real Leadership
As Alderman of the 44th Ward, I will fight for our community and push for the issues we believe in — immediately, not after months of inaction, lost time, and wasted resources. I want to bring people in and celebrate their ideas. I want to eliminate more congestion and pollution and fight for a more walkable neighborhood. Lakeview deserves streets where people can safely walk and bike, on game days and all year round. This is good for residents, local businesses, incoming tourists, the Cubs… EVERYONE!
This Week in Running for Office
What have I been up to?
Saturday, September 26
We had a very successful Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing on this Saturday afternoon, starting at Cafe Deko and then meeting back up at Crisp for our after-canvass social. It’s always nice to get to know each other better and celebrate a good day canvassing Lakeview!
I joined our neighbors for the annual Briar & Orchard Block Party! This year they had a yard sale, too! They closed down the 600 block of Briar for the afternoon, and then had their Block Party into the evening with a live DJ, ice cream truck, wine, fire truck, and more. We had a great time socializing and spreading the word about building a better Lakeview for all!
I also stopped in at the Henderson Street Block Party to celebrate with other neighbors and supporters.
I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago that evening, too. This event reminds us of the diversity of our Lakeview residents and how we all have to work together to build a better community.
Sunday, September 27
We had another successful Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing, gathering petitions to get me on the ballot. We launched from Dark Matter Osmium Coffee and then had another after-canvass social to celebrate a job well done!
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 6 and 7
Volunteers and I called our neighbors to mobilize them for the last two weeks of petition season! We have two weeks left to get me on the ballot and we’re excited to finish strong.
What’s coming up next?
Saturday, October 10
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing: Get me on the ballot! The deadline is fast approaching, so join us from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to talk to neighbors. We’ll launch from Replay Lincoln Park and meet back up for an after-canvass social.
Sunday, October 11
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing: Get me on the ballot! The deadline is fast approaching, so join us from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to talk to neighbors. We’ll launch from the Merlo Branch of the Chicago Public Library to knock on doors and canvass at the Chicago Marathon.
North Side Red Line Branch Meeting: After the canvass, join DSA’s North Side Red Line branch meeting at the Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, October 12
When We’re in Charge – A Salon with Run for Something’s Amanda Litman: With a November election on the horizon and Chicago’s mayoral and aldermanic races coming up in February, Nick Uniejewski is hosting Run for Something’s Amanda Litman to talk about winning a tough race and what it means for a new generation to step into positions of power. Join me at Buzzed by Zea from 5:30 p.m. – 8 :00 p.m.
South East Lakeview Neighbors (SELVN) Meeting: Join me our Lakeview neighbors to learn about recent updates to developments and events going on in the neighborhood, including updates to the 2800 N Sheridan development. This meeting takes place at Chabad East from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing: Another chance to help get me on the ballot! Join us for a morning of canvassing in Lakeview. We'll meet at the Belmont Station at 7:00 a.m. to talk to neighbors about my vision for a better Lakeview for all of us!
Wednesday, October 14
Northside Democracy for America Social and Meeting: From 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. join this meeting at Platform 47 to explore the progressive issues that we are fighting for.
DSA Northside Red Line Lincoln Park Social: Let’s hang at Parsons Chicken and Fish in Lincoln Park to build community.
Thursday, October 15
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing: That deadline is almost here, so please come and help me with a final push to get me on the ballot! Join us for an evening of canvassing in Lakeview. Meet us at the Mariano's on Broadway at 5:30 p.m., and we'll launch from there. I want to become your Alderman to fight for a better Lakeview for all of us — and I need your help!
Friday, October 16
Nettlehorst Bike Bus: Join the ride from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.! More details at https://nettelhorstbikebus.org/route.
