In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources
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Dear Neighbors,
There's a new 26th Ward mascot running around Division Street! After the sudden loss of our dog Royal, Shadow is bringing Becky and me joy as we grieve. He's now the most patient, curious, and cuddly family member!
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I want to extend my deep appreciation to all the neighbors who joined State Representative Lilian Jiménez and me for my monthly Coffee with the Alder last Saturday. Your engagement and thoughtful discussions on issues ranging from property taxes to traffic mitigation and the migrant mission were invaluable. Your participation reflects the strength of our community. My office will continue with our monthly outreach throughout the ward in an effort to make city services accessible to all. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on our neighborhood.
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Thank you to Principal Salgado for hosting our Community Safety Town Hall at Lloyd Elementary. Dr. Xavier Pérez, Chief of Staff Juanita García, and 25th District Commander Pérez joined 11th District Counsilor Alees Edwards, 25th District Counsilor Angelica Green, and ALSO's Resilience Supervisor Jill Flowers to discuss all the work we are embarking on the 26th Ward, from safety walks to analyzing CPD data. We also shared our We Keep Us Safe window signs. I am so excited for this collection of resources to be in windows across neighborhoods. We will bring them at all of our upcoming events, and we have them available in the Ward office for anyone to pick up and post. Keep a look out for our Spanish ones next month.
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We are hiring 15 young people ages 16-24 to work with our office during the summer. Interested in photography, government, or helping your neighbors? Apply at www.onesummerchicago.org. Make sure you choose Alternative Schools Network for the agency you want to work with. Applications are due FRIDAY, MAY 3.
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Principals are the bedrock our school communities, and their strong leadership is what ensures our young people are safe, confident, and prepared for academic and professional careers. It felt so good to return to my former stomping grounds at Roberto Clemente Community Academy to host 17 school leaders for our Principals Breakfast. Along with my colleague Alderman Daniel La Spata, we were able to share newcomer resources, community assets, and identify capital fund wish lists. Marvin García of Community as a Campus provided context for the importance of gathering as a larger community before he ran off to receive a well deserved award from the Chicago Board of Education.
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I am so proud to uplift education in the 1st and 26th Wards, and hope our leaders are enjoying their much needed rest this Spring Break!
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The office will be closed on Monday, April 1st as we onboard two new staff. I will still hold Ward night, so if you have an appointment, I will see you at the Ward office. We will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, April 2.
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On a final note, I want to wish Ashley all the best as she transitions into other work from our office. Her ability to meet constituents exactly where they are at, going above and beyond to humanize their experiences and search for resources is rare and will be dearly missed. Thank you Ashley for your service in the 26th Ward! You are a gem, and I know we will continue to do great things with our Community Safety Committee.
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Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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Join us as we discuss housing and homelessness concerns in the 26th Ward. Save the date for our Housing Town Hall on Monday, April 22nd, 6pm at Newlife Covenant Church, 3400 W Division St.
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Street Sweeping Starts April 1st
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Your feedback is important to us. My office would like to learn more about your experiences and interactions with city departments. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding your interactions with city departments. Your responses will help us improve our services and identify gaps in service. Complete the survey at:
bit.ly/cityfeedback26.
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office
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The 26th ward office is located at 2511 W. Division St. Starting this week, our office's new regular hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday 1 pm - 7 pm*
- Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
- Friday 10 am - 5 pm.
*Ward Night: Monday's 5 pm - 7 pm
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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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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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We are excited to announce the new 26th Ward Ambassadors program to build stronger connections with neighbors & spread the word about important resources. Join a community of neighbors ready to take action, attend educational workshops, and more. If you're interested in signing up, call our Ward Office at 773-395-0143 and ask for Juanita.
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Survey: Bike Lanes on North Ave
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The City of Chicago is conducting a study to examine the effects of bike lanes on neighborhood commercial corridors. The goal of the study is to understand whether there are economic impacts of bike lanes, and what these impacts are for businesses and nearby residents.
Complete a public survey today to share your experience on North Ave between Central Park Ave and California Ave!
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Work Permit Volunteers Needed
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The 26th Ward community-driven zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change must first complete a zoning intake form. Once their intake form has been reviewed they are 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.
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Attend this free Latino College expo on April 4th, from 1:30-6:30pm at NEIU (5500 North St Louis Ave). For high school, college students, and adult learners. Meet with over 40 Colleges, get accepted on the spot, win scholarships on the spot, and more. Bring copies of your transcripts!
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This Father's Day experience the excitement of running (or walking) through Chicago's beautiful Humboldt Park with family, friends and your community. The race begins on June 6th in front of the 60 foot Puerto Rican Flag Landmark. You'll cross into our "Parranda" finish line as the sounds of tropical rhythms greet you and lead you into refreshing drinks & snacks con mucho sabor! If you LOVE what you're reading so far then you will LOVE the 5K San Juan Run (& Walk). Click here to sign up.
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Humboldt Park Youth Baseball
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Registration is now open for youth baseball at Humboldt Park. In-person registration accepted at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse 1440 N Sacramento Blvd, Monday - Friday from 5pm - 7pm. Minor division is 4-8 years old. Major division is 9-12 years old.
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Enjoy an egg-cellent time hunting for coloring eggs in Hermosa park!
At this family-friendly event children will be divided into four age groups: 0-3yrs., 4-6 yrs., 7-10 yrs., and 11-12 yrs. Make sure to bring your own basket. there will also be crafts, face painting, and money.
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FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY NIGHT
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Join an in-person or virtual presentation at MHUB (1623 W Fulton St) on March 29th from 6-7pm. This will be an enriching presentation if you're embarking on a business venture, buying a new home, or funding your education, it's essential to assert control over your finances.
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Homebuyer Orientation Workshop
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Learn how to prepare on becoming a homeowner and see a new construction smart electric home around the corner right after. Saturday April 13, 2024 from 11:00am - 1:00pm at 3507 W Chicago Ave.
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Universal Television, LLC will be filming several scenes in the neighborhood on Tuesday, April 2. The following streets will be NO PARKING / TOW ZONE from 8PM Monday, April 1 through 11PM Tuesday, April 2: West side of Kedzie from LeMoyne to Division, Both sides of Evergreen from Kedzie to Spaulding, East side of Spaulding from Evergreen north to the alley.
The following streets will be posted NO PARKING / TOW ZONE from 6:00AM - 8:00PM Monday, April 15: North side of Evergreen from Kedzie to 3224 W. Evergreen.
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Contact 2-1-1 for Free Tax Prep
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This tax season, 211 Metro Chicago is a point of contact for those seeking help filing their taxes. Offered through the City of Chicago and Ladder Up, residents can contact 2-1-1 to get connected to free tax preparation and find a site near them. You can also search for a nearby site by going to www.goladderup.org/locations/.
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Property Tax Exemptions Now Open
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Property tax–saving exemptions applications for the 2023 tax year are now available online. Exemptions are savings that contribute to lowering a homeowner’s property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which saves a property owner an average of $950 dollars each year. New homeowners, first-time applicants, or those that need to reapply can now do so online at cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so there is a digital record of their application. This allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify the homeowner if missing documents are needed.
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Save the Date! ChiBlockBuilder applications open April 1, 2024.
A new application round to purchase City-owned vacant lots opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024. Through an online portal and universal application, ChiBlockBuilder streamlines the sale of City-owned vacant land to residents, community groups, non-profit organizations and developers. Visit Chicago.gov/BlockBuilder for more information. Need assistance? Email info@chiblockbuilder.com or call 312.935.1030.
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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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14th Police District Council
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Join elected District Councilors every first Saturday of the month at 1pm to work for better police accountability, restorative justice, and evidence based approaches to public safety. Please sign up at bit.ly/do14news for Councillor David Orlikoff's newsletter or email David.Orlikoff@cityofchicago.org with questions.
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Humboldt Condos Now Listed
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The Chicago Housing Trust has recently listed Six 2BR condos at 1508 N Harding near North and Pulaski. These condos are restricted to households making under 100% of the area median income.
Live in a beautifully renovated 100-year-old Chicago 6-flat with a huge yard, five minutes to Humboldt Park, a short bike ride to the 606/Bloomingdale Trail, and 2 blocks from the North and Pulaski bus lines.
Contact 1508nharding@gmail.com or call/text Denise Reyes at (773) 391-1960 for details. Click here to apply.
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Garbage and Recycling Reminders
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Get your trash and recycling pickup schedule and reminders (holidays, recycling events, bulky item pickup) emailed to you by using Recycle by City. Severe weather can affect the collection schedule. In the event of a delay, please leave your carts out until they have been collected. For missed pickups, please call 311.
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Scholarship program for the 2024-2025 academic year. The CCLF will award over $200,000 scholarship dollars in the form of $5,000 scholarships to 40 qualified students from across Chicago. Scholars can apply online at ccclatinocaucus.org/about-scholarships. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:59pm. Eligibility:
- U.S. Citizenship is NOT required for this scholarship
- Students must be at least one-half Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial category; students may be of any race
- Applicants must be a resident of the City of Chicago
- Applicant must be a current high school senior graduating in 2024, OR a General Education Diploma (“GED”) certificate holder, OR an undergraduate student with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0
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Residential Electronics Recycling
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See the flyer for information on drop-off locations for electronics ranging from computers and TVs to printers and game consoles.
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Pet Adoption Fees Waived in March
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Animal Care and Control is waiving fees on pet adoption every weekend in March. Drop-in noon to 6pm daily at 2741 S Western Ave.
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Vaccine and Microchip Clinics
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Animal Care and Control is also offering Vaccine and Microchip Clinics for dogs now through July. See the dates, locations, and details above.
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Introductory Guide to City Services
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If you want to learn how to access city resources and take an active role in your community, you can download our Introductory Guide to City Services. The guide includes steps to submit an infrastructure request, host a community event, get immigration, re-entry or domestic violence support, find your elected officials, and engage with various city departments. It also provides information on how to access critical services.
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Park District Spring Classes
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See the flyers above for information on Spring 2024 classes being offered at Humboldt Park and Mozart Park, April through June. For specific program details. registration dates and more information, visit: ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Programs.
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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CEDA is offering financial assistance to eligible families who reside in Suburban Cook County and are looking to register their children in enrichment activities including summer camp, sports, performing arts and more. Learn more at (312) 795-8948 or visit www.cedaorg.net.
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Earth Day Site Captain Registration
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The citywide Earth Day Parks Clean Up is Saturday, April 20. Join thousands of volunteers in parks across Chicago in picking up litter and putting down mulch to give our precious green spaces a fresh start for the season. To make this event possible, we need site captains to recruit and organize all those wonderful volunteers. Click here to sign up to be a site captain for your park.
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Tree Ambassador Training Program
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The Tree Ambassador Training Program offers a $100 cash incentive for every participant who finishes the indoor/online and outdoor training sessions. The indoor/online training session is 1-hour long.
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Restore, Reinvest, & Renew Grants Now Open
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Apply now for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (#R3) Program! This grant will help us continue providing services such as youth development and violence prevention. Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, and other community or neighborhood associations may apply for grants individually or in a collaborative with other groups. Click here to learn more. The deadline is April 30th.
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Apply to be a Park District Lifeguard
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Attend this Spring Employment Expo on March 29th at the Boys & Girls Club at 4411 W Chicago. They will have over 40 employers at this job fair as well as some community resources, which will include the Secretary of State Department of Motor Vehicles who will be present issuing ID’s. Click here to register.
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Navy Pier Boat Cruise Job Fairs
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City Experiences (better known as the boat dinner cruises on the Navy Pier) is hiring for job opportunities from entry to senior level. They are hosting a job fair at Navy Pier every Tuesday, from 10am to 2pm CST. Click here for more info.
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Erie Family Health Centers makes healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in our community, and they’re inviting people to join their mission-driven team. Check out these opportunities to work as a Medical Assistant or Patient Access Representative.
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Teens: find a job, program information, and resources this spring! Job-seekers aged 16 and up and teens aged 13-15 are welcome to join us on Saturday, April 6 – 10 am-1 pm at Malcolm X College (1900 W Jackson Blvd). On-site interviews will be available for qualified candidates on a first come, first served basis.
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We're working with One Summer Chicago to provide 250 high school students with a 7-week paid internship at CTA! Interns will participate in a robust hybrid experience that includes an innovative approach to our hallmark model of work experience, professional development, and mentorship from transportation industry leaders. Apply today: https://ow.ly/uTqv50QFVJX
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Apply to be a Home Care Aide at Casa Central. Training is provided and there is a $500 sign-on bonus. Learn more at casacentral.org/careers.
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Bally's Casino Project Outreach Meeting
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The Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC) is preparing to release the next round of packages for the Bally's Chicago Casino project. Join them on Thursday, March 28, 3pm at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center (560 W Grand Ave), for an outreach meeting. This session aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the bid documents, the various scopes of work, and any requirements for project consideration. Bally's Chicago will be a flagship location for Bally's Corporation, creating a world-class casino, entertainment district, and hotel.
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School to Work Program for Young Adults
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Bridges is a program that assists young adults in Chicago with job readiness, work maturity skills, job search, interviewing skills, entry level job placement, retention, and follow‐up. For more information go to bridgestowork.org.
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Career Opportunities with the City
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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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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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