🎄 Actualizaciones de la temporada navideña del Distrito 26 ❄️
Estimados vecinos,
La última semana y media ha sido una de las más intensas para mí desde mi toma de posesión. En el Ayuntamiento, rechazamos por votación una cláusula de arbitraje en el contrato del departamento de policía que habría permitido a los agentes de policía acusados de mala conducta grave que sus destinos fueran determinados por un árbitro independiente a puerta cerrada en lugar de en audiencias públicas de la Junta de Policía de Chicago. El personal progresista también organizó una conferencia de prensa para llamar la atención sobre una resolución de alto el fuego patrocinada por la concejal Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez que se ha quedado atascada en el Comité de Reglas. Además, el Ayuntamiento votó en contra de una pregunta que aparece en la boleta electoral de marzo que habría pedido a los residentes a reconsiderar Chicago como una ciudad santuario. A continuación se presentan enlaces a algunos artículos donde encontrará más detalles sobre estos votos críticos.
Educadores de 17 escuelas y organizaciones participaron en una comunidad de aprendizaje profesional para entender las protecciones de Illinois y Chicago que se conceden a los inmigrantes y refugiados. Acompañados por el Representante Estatal Jiménez, reafirmamos que estas políticas son vitales para mantener nuestro estatus de santuario. Estamos agradecidos por ICIRR y todo su trabajo que hacen educando y abogando por nuestras comunidades, y estamos emocionados de continuar asociándonos con ellos en 2024.
Estoy muy agradecida a todos los que hicieron posible la Gala de Invierno 2023. El senador estatal Omar Aquino y yo dimos la bienvenida a más de 300 personas mayores al Regency Inn Banquets para disfrutar de música, baile y una deliciosa comida. También honramos a Hilda Frontany, una líder invaluable que ha trabajado incansablemente para proteger y promover los derechos de los inmigrantes y las comunidades de habla inglesa limitada. Siempre es un placer demostrar el cariño de nuestros mayores, y no podemos esperar a la gala del año que viene. Los patrocinadores de este año fueron Icon Capital Group Inc, BTec, ASI, Municipal Market, Central Park Produce, Oak Street Health, Roesers y Fortius Insurance.
Christmas in the Wards fue un éxito rotundo. Quiero dar las gracias a mi personal y a todos los embajadores del Distrito 26 que dedicaron tiempo a ir de compras, envolver y distribuir regalos. Gracias a Juanita, Julio, Marie, Regisa, Norma, Karl, y Claudia por ayudar a crear recuerdos alegres para las familias en el Distrito 26.
También hemos concluido la última reunión del año del Comité Asesor sobre Zonificación del Distrito 26. Este comité ha estado trabajando duro en reuniones mensuales para crear nuevos procesos dirigidos por la comunidad y centrados en la comunidad para evaluar la zonificación y los proyectos de desarrollo en el distrito. Para obtener más información sobre nuestro proceso de zonificación dirigido por la comunidad, visite the26thward.org/zoming y permanezca atento a más actualizaciones en el nuevo año.
A continuación se muestra un collage de eventos que tuvieron lugar durante la semana y el fin de semana. El miércoles por la noche celebramos la aprobación de Un Salario Justo con el alcalde Johnson y el concejal Carlos Ramírez Rosa. El sábado, asistí al Desayuno Navideño de CHA de North Central Scattered Sites. El espacio se llenó de alegría y sonrisas. Gracias a Cathy Serpa por invitarme a compartir con los residentes de CHA. Más tarde en la noche, tuve el privilegio de presentar a Roberto Tañón, dueño del restaurante La Bruquena en Paseo Boricua, con una resolución honrando los 35 años que su restaurante ha estado en La Division. Felicitamos a Roberto y a su esposa Zoraida por su éxito y les deseamos muchas décadas más de éxito en el Paseo Boricua.
Mientras nos preparamos para pasar tiempo con nuestros seres queridos durante estas fiestas, no nos olvidemos de nuestros vecinos sin vivienda. El jueves, 21 de diciembre en la Iglesia San Lucas, la Unión de los Sin Techo de Illinois organizará un evento navideño para nuestros vecinos sin techo. Invitamos a cualquier persona que pueda contribuir al esfuerzo de la Unión que por favor lo haga poniéndose en contacto con la iglesia al (773) 227-5747.
Nuestra oficina estará cerrada desde el lunes 24 de diciembre de 2023 hasta el lunes 1 de enero de 2024. El horario regular de oficina se reanudará el martes 2 de enero a las 10am. Quiero desearles a todos una muy Feliz Navidad y un Próspero Año Nuevo.
Su Concejal del Distrito 26,
Jessie Fuentes
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26th Ward Office Updates |
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Property Tax Appeal Workshop - Wednesday |
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Learn about the tax appeal process and how to appeal! Join us for this property tax appeal workshop on December 20th, from 5pm to 7pm at the Humboldt Park Field house. Analysts will be on hand to assist with your appeal and answer questions in English and Spanish. |
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Property Tax Appeal Workshop - Thursday |
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Join us for a Property Tax Appeal Workshop on Thursday, December 21st at 6:30pm at the West Town Library (1625 West Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622). Attendees may arrive at 6:00 PM to meet with an analyst to answer questions and file an appeal. A brief presentation will begin at 6:30 PM, with analysts available after to assist with an appeal and questions.
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17th Annual Paseo Boricua Parranda |
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Join us for the 17th Annual Paseo Boricua Parranda featuring La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón on Saturday, December 23rd at 4pm beginning at Teresa Roldán Apartments (1154 N Campbell). |
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office |
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Ward Hours |
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The 26th Ward Office will be closed for the holidays between December 25th, 2023 to January 1st, 2024. Normal operations will resume on January 2nd from 10am-5pm. Contact us with pressing concerns at info@the26thward.org.
The 26th ward office is located at 2511 W Division St. The office's regular hours of operation are as follows:
*Ward Night: Monday's 5 pm - 7 pm |
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Ward Nights |
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Ward nights are an opportunity to meet with Alderperson Fuentes to talk to her about local or city issues and they take place every Monday from 5pm - 7pm. Ward night meetings are by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.
If you would like to meet with Alderperson Fuentes during ward night, please call or email the ward office at 773-395-0143 or info@the26thward.org. |
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26th Ward Youth Council |
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We are excited to inspire our young people to get involved in government and organize in the community. If you are a youth (12-24 years old) that resides in the 26th Ward and wants to have a say in how we spend infrastructure money and what type of policies I champion, please sign up for our youth council by applying at bit.ly/youth26. Stay stunned for our next meeting date. |
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Winter Supplies Needed for Asylum Seekers |
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Donations of winter clothing and supplies for asylum seekers can be dropped off at our office (2511 W Division St) or any of the other drop off locations listed on the flyer above. Winter coats, blankets, winter gear and sleeping bags are especially in need.
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26th Ward Zoning |
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The 26th Ward community-based zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change must first complete a zoning intake form. Once their intake form has been reviewed they will be invited to present their zoning request to the 26th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee and must answer additional questions posed by the committee. When applicable, the person requesting a zoning change may also be required to present their zoning request to the broader public during a community input meeting. For more information go to: the26thward.org/zoning. |
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Community Meeting Notice |
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Join Alder. Fuentes and La Casa Norte for a Community Meeting to discuss a new short-term emergency housing program and youth center on Wednesday, January 10th from 6-7pm at La Casa Norte Community Center at 3533 W North Ave. RSVP at: rebrand.ly/LCN-RSVP. |
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Community Events |
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Three Kings Day Gift Giveaway |
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Join the Puerto Rican Cultural Center for their Annual Three Kings Day Winterfest, a vibrant street festival that draws families and friends together for a day of cultural enrichment and joy, on January 6th from 12pm to 2pm at 2625 W Division. |
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Teen Winter Art Challenge |
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Teen Winter Challenge is an art contest, open to Chicagoans between 13 and 19 years of age. It begins January 2nd and ends March 3rd. Submit a portfolio of 1-3 original works. Submissions can represent a variety of mediums including drawing, sculpture, photography, fashion and more. Apply at chipublib.org/winter. |
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Homeless Memorial Vigil |
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Join us on Thursday, December 21st at San Lucas Church to honor our fallen loved ones who died while homeless. Condemn the system that denies us housing rights. Contact ilunionofthehomeless@gmail.com to submit names for remembrance. |
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Family Night at Humboldt Park Health |
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Join Humboldt Park Health for a festive evening on Thursday, December 21st (5-8pm). There will be free gifts including childrens coats and other fun surprises. For more information contact the HPH foundation at 312-824-6715 or foundation@hph.care. |
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Public Notices |
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Rental Assistance |
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The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a homeless prevention program that provides financial assistance to eligible Chicago residents who are at risk of becoming homeless. The program targets households who have had a documented loss of income. Because the program assists only those currently in housing, it is not designed to relocate homeless families from shelter to housing. For more information go to chicago.gov/fss/RAP. |
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Now Open: Emergency Heating Repair Program |
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The Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) is a grant program available to income-eligible Chicago homeowners for service to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Grant funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is open to Chicagoans who own and occupy a 1-to-4 unit residential property within the city limits. The property must be in habitable condition and not at risk of foreclosure. Commercial and mixed-use properties do not qualify. |
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"Shared Cost" Sidewalk Program Opening Soon |
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The "Shared Cost" Sidewalk Program will open for applications on Monday, January 8th from 6am to 10pm. This program costs property owners well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify to receive a 50% discount. The scope of the program is limited to sidewalk within the public right-of-way. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds.
Applications will only be accepted through the City's 311 system by calling 311, through the City's service request website https://311.chicago.gov, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps on iOS Apple and Android. |
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Asylum Seeker Housing Program |
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Are you a landlord? Are you interested in helping to house asylum seekers? Submit an interest form now via Catholic Charities at bit.ly/housinginterest26. |
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Public Safety Meetings |
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has introduce a new and improved interactive calendar, which you can click here to access. One of the key features of this calendar is the inclusion of the yearly meeting calendar for both the Commission for Public Safety and your local District Councils. By simply visiting this website, you can find the dates, times, and locations of all scheduled meetings. |
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25th Police District |
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District Council Members and the Community will meet on December 21st at 6pm at 5217 W Diversy Ave. You can propose new meeting location ideas, other times to hold meetings, propose new speakers to come, suggest trainings you want to take during these meetings and propose goals for the Year 2024. |
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12th Police District |
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Apply to Chicago's Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability |
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Are you passionate about public safety and police oversight and accountability? Your opportunity to make a difference is here! The District Council Nominating Committee will be accepting applications to fill the seven-member Commission from January 8, 2024-February 7, 2024. The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is a seven- member body that oversees the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Police Board. The Commission works to increase public safety, transparency, and community input into CPD, COPA, and Police Board operations, policies, and procedures. For more information go to: cityofchicago.org/chicagocommunitycommission. |
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Back to Business New State Business Grant Program |
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Illinois B2B NewBiz will provide financial relief to businesses that started during the pandemic in the industries most impacted by the pandemic. Businesses that started during the pandemic have not been eligible for state grants and most federal emergency support provided for emergency relief to small businesses thus far. For information on eligibility and how to apply go to b2bnewbiz.com/. |
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Bring Chicago Home |
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The Bring Chicago Home (BCH) initiative seeks to restructure the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) to generate dedicated funds for permanent affordable housing, with voters deciding on this initiative on March 19, 2024. The proposal involves decreasing taxes for properties under $1 million and increasing them for properties exceeding $1 million. The 26th Ward office stands in full support of this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing dignified and safe housing for all residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness. The community is counting on widespread support to Bring Chicago Home. Click here to read the language on the referendum. If you have any questions, please contact our office. |
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Get Involved |
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CPS Community Roundtables |
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CPS will host Education Facilities Master Plan community roundtable sessions to provide information regarding the state of school facilities and gather feedback from families & members of the community. Register today to attend in person or virtually at: bit.ly/47ZhT8w. |
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Run for your Local School Council |
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As a former educator, I recognize the pivotal role that parental and community involvement plays in shaping a child's education. Research consistently highlights the positive impact of such engagement, leading to improved academic performance, attendance, and enhanced self-esteem for students. Local School Councils (LSCs) are instrumental in this regard, overseeing crucial aspects such as evaluating school principals, approving budgets, and endorsing improvement plans. In the 26th ward, I am dedicated to ensuring that every school benefits from a robust and complete LSC. Your participation in these councils is vital to sustaining the seamless operation of daily school functions. I encourage you to consider running for the LSC, as your input can contribute significantly to the educational landscape of our community. LSC elections are scheduled for April 10 at elementary schools and April 11 at high schools. The deadline to submit your application is February 8, 2024, at 3 pm. Visit cps.edu/lsc to learn more and apply. |
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Become an Election Judge |
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You could earn $275 a day working as a LSC Election Judge. Chicago Public Schools is looking for election judges for the Spring 2024 Local School Council Elections. Elections will be conducted in person at individual schools in April. For more information, contact the office of LSC relations at 773-553-1400 or email Iscrelations@cps.edu. |
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Sign Up to Mentor or be Mentored |
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Hermosa Neighborhood Association Fundraiser |
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HAPPENING NOW! End of year 2023 fundraising for Hermosa Neighborhood Association. Donate now to help HNA's efforts for community engagement and outreach, youth program development, violence prevention initiatives, senior social programs, and to cover general operational costs. Any donation amount goes a long way. Donate at ourhermosa.org/donate. |
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Job Opportunities |
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Ivy Hall Hiring Event |
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Ivy Hall is hosting a hiring event for full-time and part-time Budtenders this Thursday from 10am-4pm at 3115 W Armitage Ave. Bring your resume. |
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Paid Youth Peace Ambassador Program |
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Applications are open for the Peace Ambassadors program at Alternatives. They are looking for 4-6 young people within the Humboldt Park zip codes. The program's main objective is to train young individuals on restorative justice practices, offer professional development for them to become restorative justice practitioners in their community, and provide mentorship. Through these comprehensive support systems, the Peace Ambassador program aims to promote young individuals to transform their lives and community, as well as provide stable income. If you or a young person you know are interested, apply at alternativesyouth.org/peace-ambassadors. |
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Paid Youth Health Ambassador Program |
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La Casa Norte is now accepting applications for their Spring 2024 Public Health Ambassadors Program. Youth 17-24 years old are encouraged to apply at bit.ly/PublicHealthAmbassadors2024. |
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Streets and Sanitation |
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The Department of Streets and Sanitation is currently accepting applications for the position(s) of Assistant General Superintendent and Community Outreach Coordinator. Scan the QR codes for more info. |
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Other Career Opportunities |
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CCC is looking for an adult educator for English as a second language (ESL) to teach parents and community at Clemente High School (Tuesdays & Thursdays 9a-12). To apply or to share this job SCAN QR Code above or go here: bit.ly/teaching_esl. |
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Other Career Opportunities |
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Public Service
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Additional Resources |
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Utility Bill Assistance |
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CEDA’s LIHEAP programs offer heating and electricity assistance to income eligible households. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane), and/or electric bills. For more information go to www.cedaorg.net/bills. |
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New Program Connects Landlords and Vacant Apartments To Folks In Need |
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Chicago Rents is a program that connects landlords to tenants through multiple housing subsidy programs, allowing property partners to receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support. Chicago Rents is a program that was created in response to COVID-19 to centralize property partner relationships across multiple housing programs. Through Chicago Rents, property partners are connected with Chicagoans in need of housing, filling unit vacancies and making a real difference in Chicago's neighborhoods. For additional information, please visit: allchicago.org/chicagorents.
If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply. |
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Reproductive Justice |
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If you know someone looking for reproductive justice resources in Chicago, they can go to this Department of Public Health resource page to use the City’s digital community resource directory. There is also a free talkline (1-888-493-0092) where operators are available to share information on various reproductive justice options. |
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(773)395-0143 Se Habla Español Subscribe to this newsletter here. 2511 W Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: Monday 1 pm - 7 pm | Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm Wednesday 1 pm - 5 pm | Thursday 10 am - 5 pm Friday 9 am - 3 pm |