ComEd wants to build a large electrical substation on a former COVID-testing lot along Diversey Parkway in Lincoln Park, and nearby residents say the proposal is too big and too close to homes, schools, and day care. Parents and neighbors packed an outreach meeting this week, pressing company representatives for straight answers on how much space the project would take, how loud it would be, and what the safety implications might be. The site at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway, just steps from homes and businesses, is already getting intense scrutiny from people who live and work around it.
According to Block Club Chicago, ComEd has confirmed it plans to put the substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway and has told neighbors the facility would be fully enclosed and designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. The outlet reports that ComEd bought the property in 2021 and that a building across the alley previously served as a substation until 2006. Block Club notes that specifics such as the exact footprint, expected noise levels, and electromagnetic field impacts are still being worked out, and that demolition permits for the site have not yet been issued.
Documents filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission indicate ComEd has identified a Diversey-area site in its distribution planning and that any new substation will require commission approval before major construction can move ahead. The ICC docket includes technical filings and correspondence that city officials and community members can use to follow the project. That regulatory process will be the formal arena for public hearings or challenges if stakeholders decide to contest the proposal.
Why ComEd says it is needed
ComEd has told regulators the new station is intended to help handle rising electricity demand on the North Side as more buildings electrify and large commercial users grow. As reported by WTTW, the utility has laid out a $15.3 billion grid plan that calls for new substations and other system upgrades to relieve capacity constraints, with major investments slated to begin in 2028. Company officials argue that those projects are needed to avoid overloading the system and to keep power reliable as demand continues to climb.
Neighbors push back
Nearby parents and residents, including families connected to Kensington School, told ComEd representatives they fear the size of the substation and its equipment could affect the homes and the day care next door. According to Block Club Chicago, people at the meeting repeatedly asked for concrete details on noise levels, safety measures, and whether placing lines underground would meaningfully cut impacts. Local aldermanic offices and neighborhood groups have said they expect additional public meetings as ComEd revises and refines the design.
What happens next
The project still needs city permits and a sign-off from state regulators, and filings with the Illinois Commerce Commission will serve as the official record where ComEd seeks approvals and the public can submit comments. As reported by WTTW, ComEd's broader grid plan anticipates system investments beginning in 2028. Layer on neighborhood-level permitting and design work, and residents living near Diversey are being told it could still be years before any construction starts, leaving the timeline hazy for now.
