# Lincoln Park Residents Plan Rally After ComEd Rejects Substation Sites

> Lincoln Park residents rally after ComEd rejects 14 alternative substation sites.
- Title: Lincoln Park Residents Plan Rally After ComEd Rejects…
- Summary: Lincoln Park residents rally after ComEd rejects 14 alternative substation sites. Lincoln Park residents plan a Saturday rally to block ComEd's substation at…
- Keywords: lincoln park, comed, diversy community coalition, substation, transit oriented development, cta, housing, news, local, Lincoln, Park, Residents
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/09/24/lincoln-park-residents-rally-comed-substation
- Published: 2026-09-25T00:05:28.831+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lincoln park, comed, diversy community coalition, substation, transit oriented development, cta, housing, news, local
## Residents plan rally
Lincoln Park residents plan a Saturday rally at 11 a.m. to block ComEd's substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway after the utility rejected 14 alternative sites.

> There’s nothing magical about Diversey
## Diversey Community Coalition proposed sites
The Diversey Community Coalition worked with local officials, neighbors and consultants to propose 14 alternative locations for ComEd's planned substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway.
## ComEd rejected sites
ComEd rejected all 14 proposed sites in an August letter, citing lots being too small, not for sale or not cost effective.
## Coalition argues for housing
The coalition argues ComEd can use a different site that isn't so close to transit, schools and a daycare to protect housing.
## 1.2-acre site proposed
The coalition listed a 1.2-acre parcel on Diversey Parkway and a Jewel Osco parking lot on North Clybourn Avenue as potential alternatives.
## ComEd's response
ComEd stated alternative sites would increase costs for customers in 48 Chicago wards without benefiting from the new substation.
## Coalition's housing goal
The coalition wants to protect equitable transit-oriented development sites within half a mile of the Brown Line Diversey stop.
## Substation capacity issue
ComEd's three substations serving Lake View, North Center, Uptown and northern Lincoln Park reached 95% capacity this year and are expected to reach 98% by 2031.
## Coalition's alternative plan
The coalition argues selling the site to a developer would build housing instead of a substation, as it is 735 feet from the Diversey CTA station.
## Neighborhood support
Wrightwood Neighbors Association and Central Lake View Neighbors joined the coalition's call to abandon the site, with alders Timmy Knudsen, Bennet Lawson and Scott Waguespack backing the effort.
## Local officials push for oversight
Alder Timmy Knudsen proposed an ordinance requiring community oversight for infrastructure projects larger than 0.5 acres or within 600 feet of residential property.
## State-level action
Sen. Sara Feigenholtz called Gov. JB Pritzker about the issue and hopes a bill similar to Lawson's ordinance will be discussed during the Illinois General Assembly's fall veto session.
## Rally details
The coalition plans a Saturday rally at 11 a.m. at ComEd's proposed substation site to advocate for housing and transit-oriented development.
## Substation impact
ComEd's substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway is 1.08 acres and 735 feet from the Diversey CTA station, making it an equitable transit-oriented development site.
## Key takeaway

Lincoln Park residents plan a Saturday rally to block ComEd's substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway after the utility rejected 14 proposed sites.