Most City services can be requested via the City of Chicago's 311 system. Residents may call 311, go online at 311.chicago.gov, download the free mobile application, CHI311, or call our office for assistance. Visit our Ward Services page - https://www.the1stward.com/ward-services - for more information!

+ How do I send the 1st Ward Office a service request?

You can visit the 1st Ward Office in person at 1958 North Milwaukee (typically open Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm), call us at (872) 206 - 2685, or send us an electronic request.

+ I am having trouble paying my utility bill, what are my options?

Beginning March 1, 2020, Chicagoans can start applying for the Utility Billing Relief program, which will require that applicants provide the same documentation as needed for LIHEAP. To get more information please visit www.chicago.gov/UBR, email utilitybillrelief@cedaorg.net, text WATERBILL to 313131 or call (312) 795-8946 and leave your name and number.

The Utility Billing Relief program will also include a second phase that moves all households with a meter, currently on a bi-monthly billing schedule, and households without a meter on a six-month billing schedule to a monthly billing cycle. This will enable residents to better track their water usage while allowing greater predictability for household budgeting.

+ What changes will there be for non-metered utility billing?

Based on customer feedback, the Department of Finance is switching non-metered water bills from billing every 6 months to billing every month. Non-metered customers should expect to receive the following letter this month.

*"Dear Customer,

You have a nonmetered utility billing account with the City of Chicago which is currently billed on a semi-annual basis, or every 6 months. Effective December 1, 2020, billing will be switched from a semi-annual to a monthly basis. Monthly billing will provide customers with a smaller monthly bill which can be more easily budgeted.   Your overall bill amount is not increasing due to this change. Your six monthly bills will not exceed the amount that your semi-annual bill would be.  The monthly bill may vary slightly from one sixth of your semi-annual bill due to rate changes and other charges, such as penalties for late payment.   Every month, starting in December, you can expect to receive a bill for the previous month of service.  In December, you will receive a bill for the November service period. In January, you will receive a bill for the December service period, and so forth. You will still have 21 days to pay after the bill date.   If you have enrolled in AutoPay on our website, you don’t need to take any action. The payments will be switched to the monthly schedule automatically. If you haven’t enrolled in AutoPay, this is a good opportunity to do so.  Just visit www.chicago.gov/utilitybill and click on the Online Utility Billing Portal link to get started."*

  If you have any questions about this change or your utility billing account, please contact Utility Billing & Customer Service at (312) 744-4426 or utilitybill@cityofchicago.org.

+ What type of construction work is being done on my block?

You can use this website to find out about construction on your block. If you can’t find it on this map, please feel free to reach out to office at (872) 206-2685, and we can follow up about your specific request.

+ How do I get a residential parking permit?

Most residential parking permits are issued through the City Clerk’s office. They have two nearby locations - one downtown and one in Jefferson Park. You can verify your zone number by clicking here. If you live very close to a residential parking zone, you can request a letter of exception from the Alderman’s office. These letters are given in a limited number of cases, and you must meet these requirements:

• You previously received a letter of exception from the Alderman’s office at your current address that is on file.
• OR you live within four lots of the residential parking zone you are requesting AND you do not live in a designated transit oriented development.
• Special considerations will be made for seniors and those with limited mobility.

Please give our office at least 2 business days notice if you are requesting a letter of exception. Our office cannot guarantee that we can provide letters immediately to those in line at the City Clerk’s office.

+ How do I get a garage sale permit?

Fill out the permit here, and bring the application along with a proof of residency (lease, property tax bill, ID, etc..) to the 1st Ward Office at 1958 N Milwaukee where staff will review.

+ How do I request additional bike parking/bike rack near my home, school, or business?

To request new bike racks, please fill out a form with the Chicago Department of Transportation here.

+ How can I host a block party?

The 1st Ward requires that anyone who wants to host a block party collect signatures of approval from 50% of the affected block. You can find our application here.

Each year the City of Chicago provides a limited amount of free bouncy houses for residential block parties. Bouncy houses are available on a first-come-first-served basis and the application can be found here.

+ Is there anything I can do about the water on my street?

To prevent basement flooding, the City has placed restricter plates on many sewer grates. This ensures that the sewer system does not overflow and as a result, flood private properties. Instead, it keeps water on the street until the system is able to drain more water. Due to increased rainfall, many residents are noticing water on their streets more frequently. You can help decrease the amount of water on the street by using these tips on rainy days.

If the water on your street does not drain, you can place a 311 request for a sewer cleaning inspection. If you need help placing your 311 request for your street, you can reach our office at (872) 206-2685.

+ Developers will not stop contacting me about selling my home, is there anything I can do?

The City of Chicago Municipal Code outlaws predatory behavior by developers. If you do not want to sell your property, you can tell a developer "No," and tell them that you do not wish for any further contact. If they continue to call, e-mail, visit, or otherwise bother you after you told them to stop contacting you, you can lodge a complaint with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection here and select 'Predatory Real Estate Developer Tactics'.

Additionally, you can contact our office to fill out the complaint for you. Please provide name of the developer, development group and any relevant documents (letters that were sent in the mail, screen shots of phone calls, forwarded emails, etc..).

+ How do I enter my home into the Roof & Porch Repair Program?

The Roof and Porch Repair Program and the Emergency Heating Repair Program help homeowners make improvements to their homes. If you wish to enter the lottery to participate, you'll need to submit a 311 on the determined day, a one-day registration date is announced annually on this website. Make sure to set a reminder and submit your 311 request on the listed date!

+ A garbage truck keeps waking me up before 7am, how do I get them to stop picking up so early?

The Chicago Noise ordinance prohibits trucks from picking up trash before 7 AM. In many cases, those companies violating the ordinance are private contractors. While we recommend that you call 911 to seek enforcement of the noise ordinance, you can submit a complaint for persistent early pick-up using Chicago 311 here.

+ I am concerned with traffic and pedestian safety on my street, how can we improve traffic safety for everyone?

Our office is committed to ensuring our streets are safe for bicylists, pedestrians, and our children. If you want to request a new street sign, changing a speed limit, new street paint, bump outs, or other traffic calming measures, we recommend that you call our office for more information (872) 206-2685.

If you are looking to replace an existing street sign, you can submit a 311 request here.

+ How can I help a neighbor experiencing homelessness?

You can always start by introducing yourself and asking the individual what they need- whether that be food, a warm place to sleep or health services. Depending on the individual's needs, there are a number of different options to take. For emergency services and outreach, you can call 311 and ask for a crisis referral or shelter request. You can also always call the 1st Ward office to discuss what options might be best given the individual's needs.

+ How can I look up a parking, speeding, or red light ticket?

The Department of Finance provides photo evidence of all speeding, red light, and parking violations which lead to tickets. These images can be accessed online via the Department of Finance's webpage. Your ticket number and license plate number are required to access the image. For your convenvience, you can look up a speeding ticket here, a red light ticket here, and a parking ticket here. You can also search for a ticket, check its status, or pay for it by clicking here.

+ How do I contest a ticket?

You may contest a ticket via mail, in-person, or via the City's new online eContest System. To contest via mail, the registered owner may submit a signed statement. More information can be found here. To contest in-person, the registered owner may request an in-person hearing. More information can be found here. To submit a hearing via the the City's website please click here.

If you have any additional questions, please email our office at info@the1stward.com with your ticket number and license plate number.

+ Where can I recycle my old electronics and household chemicals?

There are a number of facilities throughout the city that residents can recycle (list all the electronics on the sheet above). For more information click here.