Every year, each of Chicago’s 50 wards can address their own specific local infrastructure needs through the Aldermanic Menu Program. In 2025, $1.5 million per ward was allocated to provide a menu of infrastructure project options for the Aldermen to select and prioritize. This program, administered by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), includes street and alley resurfacing and repair, pedestrian safety improvements, curb and gutter replacement, street and alley speed hump installation, as well as other infrastructure improvements. Because of limited funding and the overwhelming number of requests for improvements, Alderman Waguespack prioritizes funding for projects demonstrating the most need that affects the majority of residents of the ward first. Additionally, before approving any infrastructure projects, our staff responds to constituent requests for resurfacing and repairs by surveying and assessing the condition of streets, alleys, curbs, etc. We work with the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) to ensure that no other projects (water, underground conduit, etc.) are scheduled for the near future to avoid any duplicative or wasted investment to identify, prioritize, and implement infrastructure projects in the most efficient means possible. 

 

Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Pedestrian safety is one of Alderman Waguespack’s top priorities. When constituents contact the 32nd Ward office with safety concerns, we ask CDOT to conduct a traffic study at the requested location and use their recommendations to inform Alderman Waguespack’s decision on the appropriate solution to the safety concern. Some of these recommendations require the use of menu funds to install new traffic calming or other safety infrastructure. These might include bump-outs, curb extensions, pavement markings, or other measures. Since 2007, our office has sent over 1,000 letters to CDOT regarding traffic safety and related issues. Please visit our Pedestrian Safety page for more information.

 

Local Street and Alley Resurfacing

Street and alley resurfacing comprise the majority of our funding allocation each year. Alderman Waguespack prioritizes street resurfacing and uses resurfacing requests from constituents to identify resurfacing candidates. If you believe your street or alley is in need of resurfacing, please email Paul Sajovec, the Alderman’s chief of staff, at paul@ward32.org. If your street or alley has potholes, you can either contact the 32nd Ward office or submit a pothole patching request through 311.

 

Arterial streets (like Ashland and Western) and collector streets (like Roscoe and Southport) are typically resurfaced through a separate funding mechanism, administered by CDOT. Our office works with them to identify specific streets in the ward in need of resurfacing.

 

Generally, local street and alley resurfacing takes 2-3 weeks. Crews begin by milling (grinding) the existing asphalt. In the ensuing weeks, crews inspect the exposed subsurface to identify any necessary repairs and ensure alignment of other infrastructure (such as catch basins) with the new surface. Following this process, CDOT will install the new pavement, which is drivable a few minutes after they complete their work. Please note that this timeline is subject to weather conditions, equipment and crew availability, and other extenuating circumstances that can extend the process beyond the standard time window.

 

Speed Humps

Speed humps are the most common, and typically the most effective, traffic calming device CDOT installs. Speed humps are only installed on local residential streets. Because speed humps are not part of standard street and alley design, CDOT and the 32nd Ward office are looking to confirm that at least 65% of the constituents on a block are concerned about high traffic speeds and support the installation of speed humps. Once a petition form is circulated, the 32nd Ward office reviews the signatures to confirm that a sufficient number of households support the installation. Click here to get a petition.

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These are a few examples of the most common use of menu funding. Please click here to see the most recent use of funds. If you have further questions, feel free to contact our office at 773-248-1330 or email us at info@ward32.org.