In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Job Opportunities • Resources
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Dear neighbor,
Puerto Ricans in Humboldt Park have celebrated their pride and presence in Chicago since the late 60's with the first Puerto Rican parade taking place downtown in 1966 and I believe that the first festival was In 1968. Fast forward 56 years later, this is a festival that generations of Boricuas love and with high anticipation look forward to its essence which includes the food, rides, music, games, impromptu friend reunions, vendors selling everything from jewelry, shea butter, candles, flags, t-shirts and community organizations offering housing and government resources, youth engagement opportunities, and so much more.
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This year's festival is finally here and it is with much excitement that I invite everyone in the 26th Ward to the Puerto Rican Festival also known as Fiestas Patronales starting Thursday, June 6 til Sunday, June 9. The schedule of performances can be found here. If you didn't know already, Andy Montañez and Tony Vega will be performing on Sunday! My office is proud to say that we distributed over 3000 festival tickets to seniors and community members.
To help kick off Fiestas Patronales, the Mayor’s office will be hosting a Puerto Rican Heritage Luncheon at City Hall. We will present the Puerto Rican Self-Determination Resolution and honor Puerto Rican city staff and electeds. This is an opportunity to showcase the best of Chicago’s Puerto Rican diaspora. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to watch the luncheon performance.
On Saturday, June 8th, join us for the 46th Puerto Rican People's Parade on Paseo Boricua. If you'd like to be a part of our parade contingent, confirm your spot here. Please note that the space on the float will be reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. I look forward to celebrating with the community this week.
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A huge congratulations to Jordan Geary and the PRCC on the grand opening of the boxing gym on Division. It was a joy to see this project come to fruition after so many years in the making. Special congratulations to Jacob Diaz on opening his photography studio, ESTU, at the old Cardenal Driving School. Witnessing young entrepreneurs take bold steps and invest in Paseo Boricua is both inspiring and hopeful.
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See you all at the park!
Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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New 26th Ward Office Hours
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The 26th Ward office is located at 2511 W. Division St. Our office's new regular hours of operation are as follows:
*The office will be closed everyday from 1-2pm for lunch*
- Monday 2 pm - 5 pm*
- Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
- Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
- Friday 9 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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26th Ward Business Summit
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The community’s lifeline depends on the livelihood of our business corridors. The businesses provide services, goods, and employ our neighbors. In an effort to support businesses and business owners, I will be hosting a Business Summit at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center on June 13th where I will bring business professionals and stakeholders together to network. Educational workshops and resources will be offered on a range of topics including funding opportunities, marketing and branding strategies, and financial literacy and management. Attendees will also gain valuable insights regarding city permits and licensing information.
If you are a business owner in the 26th Ward, you can sign up here. If you are interested in providing resources to business owners, please email Brendan Alemán at brendan@the26thward.org.
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Street Sweeping Started on April 1st, and will continue until November
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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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Join us for a virtual community zoning meeting Wednesday, June 5th at 6pm.
You are invited to provide feedback on a request to change the zoning of 1941 N Sawyer Ave to convert the property from single-family to multi-family with 4 condo units (RS3 to RT-4).
This meeting is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions so that community input is centered in decision-making. RSVP now at: bit.ly/1941sawyer
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The celebrations start Thursday! Join me and my office June 6th to 9th. Bring your friends and family to experience delicious Boricua food, incredible music, and much more!
Get your tickets online at PuertoRicanFest.com.
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To all my running/walking buddies! June 16th is the San Juan 5K! All proceeds go to the Tu Casa Project which will be a community center.
It is also Father’s Day, and overall a difficult time for many who have lost loved ones, so we are using this 5K as a way to remember them and celebrate their memories! We will be hanging and gathering after for those that are interested! Sign up and join my group. We have named our group/team 26th Ward Walk/Run to Remember.
Please see the team registration link by clicking here. I hope many of you can make it!
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ChiArts has announced their summer camp for 6-8th graders from July 8th - 26th. For more information regarding their summer camp, please email summercamp@chiarts.org.
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Casa Central is hosting its 2024 Health Fair on Thursday, June 27th from 2-6pm, at the Casa Central Fisher Family Community Center at 1335 N. California Ave. Attendance at the Health Fair is free and open to the public.
An array of organizations will be present to provide information about their health-related services. Plus — They hiring! Job seekers are encouraged to attend to learn about career opportunities and fill out applications.
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Chicago City Key Appointments Now Open!
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The Bank of America Chicago Half Marathon
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The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Humboldt Park, Garfield Park and Douglass Park and the boulevards that link the parks together. No parking is allowed on the 13.1-mile course beginning at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 9. Vehicles parked on the course route will be ticketed and towed to the nearest auto pound beginning at that time. For inquiries about towed vehicles, call 312.744.4444.
Streets along the course route will be closed to traffic starting from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Event organizers work with the City of Chicago to reopen streets allowing traffic to return to normal as quickly as possible. For more information about event, contact our office at. office@chicago13point1.com or visit chicago13point1.com.
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Bickerdike Apartments opens Affordable Housing Waitlists
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Bickerdike Apartments, LLC will be reopening the affordable housing waitlist for Howard Apartments (studio SROs) and Nuestro Pueblo Apartments (two (2) and three (3) bedrooms), starting on Saturday, June 1, 2024, for a limited time. Persons interested should submit a pre-application on-line by scanning the SQR Code on the attached property flyer, or by navigating to the direct address shown here:
Howard Apartments (studios SROs)
Applicants will receive a letter from Bickerdike Apartments assigning their Waitlist Number within 14 days of submitting their pre-application.
Applicants who do not have web access may call the Bickerdike Apartments office and a pre-application card will be mailed. The completed pre-application card must be returned by mail. Bickerdike will not accept pre-application cards in person. No walk-ins will be accepted!
If you have any questions, please call Bickerdike’s Property Management Office at 773-227-6332.
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City Grants Open for Manufacturers
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TIFWorks Manufacturing Program is available in the Northwest Industrial Corridor. TIFWorks is actively accepting applications from manufacturers looking to train current employees and/or new hires. Manufacturing companies in the Northwest Industrial and Pulaski Industrial TIFs can apply.
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Small Business Advocacy Council: We Rise Grant Program
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This program identifies small businesses that wish to expand into brick-and-mortar spaces in one of the following neighborhoods: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Gage Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, South Shore, Washington Park, and West Lawn.
The We Rise Grant Program will be providing eligible businesses coaching and educational services. They also work to connect businesses with the owners of vacant commercial properties, and provide funds these businesses can use to facilitate their transition into vacant properties. For more information about the program please reach out too Natalia Borowska at natalia@sbacil.org.
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There are far too many vacant commercial properties in disinvested neighborhoods. The goal of the Small Business Advocacy Council is to support property owners struggling to fill their commercial spaces by connecting them with potential tenants with the knowledge and resources to transition into a brick-and-mortar space.
This program will:
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Identify small businesses that wish to expand into brick-and-mortar spaces
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Provide eligible businesses coaching and educational services.
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Connect businesses with the owners of vacant commercial properties.
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Provide funds these businesses can use to facilitate their transition into vacant properties.
To learn more reach out to the Small Business Advocacy Council at (312) 548-8608 or email Natalia at natalia@sbacil.org.
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Chicago Treasurer's Office 2024 Empowerment Scholarship
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The Chicago Treasurer's office has launched their 2024 Empowerment 5,000 Scholarship! Learn more by clicking the image above or visiting their website.
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Trees provide numerous health benefits and can help our communities be more resilient to the impact of climate events and reduce greenhouse gasses, one of the leading causes of climate change. Join communities around the city and request a free parkway tree in front or your home.
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Each year, the Jumping Jack Program delights children across Chicago. This inflatable playground, provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is available for FREE and runs from Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, September 1, 2024. Please visit their website here for more information.
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has introduced 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 Councilor David Orlikoff's newsletter or email David.Orlikoff@cityofchicago.org with questions.
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Make this the Year: Homebuying 101 workshop
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Connecting Capital and Community (3C) partners will convene housing counseling agencies, realtors, lenders, and developers to provide you with vital resources will be partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Chicago Public Library on Saturday, June 15th, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Legler Regional Library (115 S. Pulaski Road).
This is a free, in-person workshop, attendees will learn about the purchase process, schedule appointments with counseling agencies, and gain more insight into the down payment and closing cost assistance programs that are still available. To register please click here.
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Humboldt Condo Now Listed
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The Chicago Housing Trust still has one 2 bedroom condo 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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Sign up to receive your trash and recycling pickup schedule and reminders (holidays, recycling events, bulky item pickup) emailed to you by using Recycle by City. Severe weather and holidays 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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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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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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Don't Let a Tick Make You Sick!
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If you find a tick, don't panic! IDPH has released an infographic to demonstrate the proper protocol for removing ticks from oneself, family, friend, and even your furry friends. To learn more about tick prevention and removal and other pest control information please visit IDPH Site here.
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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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Obama Foundation Career Opportunities
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Landis Hardtech Development Fellowship
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Are you a woman, Black, or Latine HardTech entrepreneur, product development specialist, or engineering contractor looking to freelance in the gig economy? Apply for this fellowship to access a pipeline of paid contractor work and get access to $6M worth of prototyping equipment, workshops, and a potential pipeline of paid contract work. Learn more here.
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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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The Office of Emergency Management & Communication is hiring a Traffic Aide. You can learn more about the position here.
You can also explore the latest job openings with the City of Chicago. Visit www.chicago.gov/careers to discover your next career move today!
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Life Impacters:Food Pantry
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LIF (Life Impacters Foundation), operates as a beacon of support and change on the vibrant greater west side of Chicago, nestled within Cook County, Illinois. LIF offers a comprehensive array of multi-social services aimed at uplifting the community.
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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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info@the26thward.org
(773)395-0143
Se Habla Español
Subscribe to this newsletter here.
2511 W Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours:
*Office will be closed every day from 1-2 pm for lunch*
Monday 2 pm - 7 pm | Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm | Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
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