PRESS RELEASE
Doran: Lawson's Cubs Parking Decision Fails Everyone, Solves Nothing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026 — Dennis "DJ" Doran, candidate for alderman of the 44th Ward, said today that Ald. Bennett Lawson's rejection of the Cubs' parking lot proposal fails everyone involved.
"Neighbors were right to worry about traffic and safety on their blocks. The Cubs were right to look for ways to serve a large regional fanbase. Neither side is the problem," Doran said. "The problem is an alderman who waited months and settled nothing. A leader's job is to get everyone in the same room and hammer out a deal that works."
Lawson rejected the Cubs' request to expand the 688-space Camry Lot to as many as 947 spaces, but only "at this time." And the team can still grow the lot to 800 spaces without his approval.
Residents who raised legitimate concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety, lost trees, and privacy are left with an expansion they can't stop. The Cubs, seeking to serve older fans and people with disabilities who rely on the lot's shuttle, are left without a path forward heading into the 2027 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field, with a national audience watching the 44th Ward.
Doran, a 15-year resident of the Ward with a background in real estate development, said a better process would have given neighbors and the Cubs certainty, with a clear, final answer instead of a decision that will be revisited.
“The 44th Ward deserves an alderman who can do that," he said.
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About DJ Doran
Dennis (DJ) Doran is an Air Force veteran, a real estate entrepreneur, and a community advocate who has demonstrated an ability to build partnerships across Chicago. He is formerly the executive director of the nonprofit Chicago Deserves Better, which works to establish a commission to develop a City Charter, a local constitution to guide Chicago’s future.
Doran’s campaign for 44th Ward Alderman focuses on restoring responsive neighborhood leadership, with an emphasis on improving public safety and public transit, strengthening accountability at City Hall, and supporting responsible economic development throughout the Ward.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tom Ciavarella
(312) 539-1377