Prioritize Transit-Oriented Development
Don’t let ComEd permanently remove over an acre of equitable TOD land only 600 feet from an ADA-accessible L stop!
A SUBSTATION THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD BELONGS IN AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE!
Upcoming Community Meeting
Regarding the ComEd Substation
7:00 PM
836 W. Wellington Ave, 1st Floor
Olson Auditorium
Come out, get informed, and let your voice be heard! This meeting is for the community only (ComEd will not be present).
Call To Action!
Here are 3 things you can do right now to protect our transit-oriented land…it only takes a couple of minutes!
3. Get Yard Sign ($15/$20)
Join our mailing list for critical community alerts, public hearing timelines, and action updates.
A Rare Opportunity for Housing & Community at 1111 W. Diversey (former COVID Testing site)
Just 600ft from the ADA-accessible Diversey ‘L’, this acre+ site is meant for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD). Instead of a massive ComEd substation, we envision residential or mixed use buildings that support people, transit, and local shops.
Build Homes, Not Dead Zones
This site could hold 200+ units of high-density housing on a Pedestrian Street. It’s a chance for:
- Car-Free Living: Supports workers and residents near the ‘L’.
- Planting Roots: Keeps families local near schools and daycares.
- Local Economy: Drives foot traffic to neighborhood small businesses.
Industrial Encroachment
ComEd is using a zoning loophole to build a massive regional transmission hub without public hearings.
- Blocks Transit Access: Sterilizes prime ETOD land forever.
- Ignores Alternatives: Sidesteps modern, distributed grid tech.
- Breaks Continuity: Creates an industrial dead zone for pedestrians.
Help Us Preserve Our Transit-Oriented Development Future
TAKE ACTION NOW →A Better Vision for Diversey
Instead of an industrial substation, we envision a vibrant, transit-oriented future. Inspired by Alicia Pederson (Courtyard Urbanist), these designs show how residential mixed-use spaces can preserve neighborhood character and support local growth.
Click the image above to see the full side-by-side comparison.
The Case Against a Massive Substation
We believe in a vibrant, sustainable future for the Diversey corridor. Explore the empirical municipal ordinances, tax allocation data, and land-use realities guiding our neighborhood platform.
TOD & Connected Communities
Placing an unmanned industrial complex 600 feet from an accessible ‘L’ station permanently blocks local economic potential. Review the ordinances protecting walkable density, family housing, and vital neighborhood tax funding.
View Land-Use Analysis →Countering ComEd’s “Minor” Claim
ComEd is leveraging historical, 20-year-old zoning text to classify an acre+ regional transmission grid project as a minor administrative change. Explore the metrics detailing why structural scale and spatial impact override arbitrary legal definitions.
Examine Siting Evidence →Zoning Compatibility & Safety
Heavy utility infrastructure carries inherent thermal and engineering failure risks. Review our objective study evaluating regional substation incident histories and why manufacturing hazard isolation layers are mandatory next to student safety corridors.
Read Safety Report →TAKE ACTION NOW!
The ICC controls the project budget. If they “disallow” the expenditure, ComEd cannot charge ratepayers for it.
FILE AN ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION (ICC) PUBLIC COMMENT
The ICC must approve ComEd’s multi-year plan (Docket 26-0047).
1. Click “🔄 Refresh Text” for a new perspective.
2. Click “📋 Copy Text” to automatically copy the text box data.
3. Click “🌐 Open ICC Portal” to paste and submit your comment.
News & Announcements
📅 JUNE 2026 (Current Month)
🚨
Upcoming Substation Meeting (Community Only)
Upcoming Substation Meeting (Community Only)
Time & Location: Monday, June 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM | Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, 1st Floor — Olson Auditorium (836 W. Wellington Ave).
Important Logistics Note: Please enter via the main hospital entrance up the ramp on the north side of Wellington Avenue. The auditorium is fully ADA-accessible.
This critical community only meeting is for neighbors, parents, and local business owners. ComEd will not be present. Come get informed on what the coalition has uncovered, have your questions answered, and voice your concerns so we can map out our neighborhood defense. Physical handouts, volunteer sign-ups, and a handful of yard signs will be available for purchase following the presentation.
View Action Options Below →📅 MAY 2026 +
📜
Coordinated State & Local Legislation Announced…
Coordinated State & Local Legislation Announced…
State Senator Sara Feigenholtz and Alderman Timmy Knudsen announced landmark, coordinated legislative initiatives to restore critical community review and close loopholes for large utility projects exceeding 0.5 acres.
This massive joint effort explicitly targets ComEd’s out-of-scale substation proposal at 1111 W. Diversey, ensuring neighborhood scale, transparent public process, and local transit-oriented zoning laws are legally prioritized.
Read the Press Release →
📺
DCC Featured on CBS News Chicago Broadcast…
DCC Featured on CBS News Chicago Broadcast…
CBS News broadcasted a dedicated segment covering the growing community opposition against ComEd’s proposed electrical substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway.
The segment highlighted intense concerns raised by Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighbors regarding the loss of equitable transit-oriented development land and ComEd transparency.
Watch the CBS News Segment →
🚧
CDOT Permit Hold Requested for Public Way…
CDOT Permit Hold Requested for Public Way…
Alderman Knudsen has formally requested the Department of Transportation (CDOT) place an immediate hold on all permits for streets and alleys surrounding the site.
This hold prevents ComEd from performing work above, on, or under the public way—including active duct bank installations—until the critical zoning and safety challenges are resolved.
Read the CDOT Letter →
📰
DCC Campaign Featured in Block Club Chicago…
DCC Campaign Featured in Block Club Chicago…
Block Club Chicago published an in-depth profile tracking the rapid emergence of the Diversey Community Coalition as neighbors organize to contest ComEd’s industrial zoning footprints in Lincoln Park.
The investigative piece maps out key community safety questions, local business perspectives, and the core planning conflicts surrounding the 1111 W. Diversey parcel.
Read the Full Feature Article →📅 APRIL 2026 +
⚖️
Zoning Administrator Issues Official Response…
Zoning Administrator Issues Official Response…
The City Zoning Administrator has provided an Official Response to the community’s request for a Formal Letter of Interpretation regarding the 1111 W. Diversey site.
This response is a key piece of the ongoing challenge to classify this project as a “Major Utility,” which would require a full public hearing.
View the Zoning Response →
🛑
Administrative Hold Requested…
Administrative Hold Requested…
Alderman Knudsen has officially requested that the Department of Buildings place an immediate Administrative Hold on all permits for the site.
Read the Official DOB Letter →
📢
Major Progress: State & Local Officials Unite…
Major Progress: State & Local Officials Unite…
Aldermen Knudsen (43rd), Waguespack (32nd), and Lawson (44th) have officially petitioned the City Zoning Administrator for a “Major Utility” classification.
Read the Official Newsletter →📅 MARCH 2026 +
🤝
WNA & CLVN Community Meeting…
WNA & CLVN Community Meeting…
The Wrightwood Neighborhood Association and Central Lake View Neighbors hosted a community dialogue to discuss ComEd’s 1111 W. Diversey Pkwy substation plans at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital.
Resources & Documents
CONTACT US
Have questions, planning insights, or media inquiries? Connect with the coalition team directly.