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Neighbors, It has been a full and powerful stretch across the ward, from zoning and planning to career days, job fairs, and peace walks, we’re moving with intention and care through every block and every conversation.
The conversations started on Saturday, May 10th for a community zoning meeting regarding the proposal to preserve and convert the former church at 3300 W. Pierce into 26 apartment units. Six of the units would be rented at affordable rates, as required by the City’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance. The room was full, and many neighbors voiced concerns about parking and rent levels. These concerns are important and will help guide our review. If you weren’t able to attend, you can still submit your feedback at bit.ly/piercemeet. Thank you to each of you who attended. |
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Cicero Ave Planning Study: Walking Tour Highlights Following that important conversation on housing and development, we also stepped into another space where long-term planning is underway, the Cicero Avenue Planning Study. On Wednesday, we joined the Department of Planning and Development and community partners for a walking tour of Cicero Avenue, from Armitage to Belden, as part of the City’s new land use planning study. Thank you to representatives from Las Damas de Belmont Cragin, the Belmont Cragin and Hermosa Chamber, and Palenque LSNA for walking with us and sharing your insights. Next steps will include a community survey that is expected in June. Stay tuned for links and updates! |
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While we were walking and dreaming up future uses for our commercial corridors, we were also opening doors to opportunity through employment the very next day at our youth job fair expo. Shoutout to DCFS, Chicago Urban League, State Rep Jimenez’s team, and Alderman Villegas’ team for an awesome job fair on Thursday! City of Chicago Department of Human Resources, Department of Aviation, and One Summer Chicago recruiters were able to support on-site applications, and visitors were able to receive professional headshots. Thank you Smith Park staff for hosting us. |
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Social Security Event And while young adults explored job opportunities, older adults came out to get support with benefits and services at the Social Security Community Fair. A heartfelt thank you to Congresswoman Delia Ramírez for inviting us to the Social Security Community Fair! We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with Social Security Administration (SSA) representatives, deepen our understanding of available benefits, and share vital information with our neighbors. Key Takeaways from SSA Experts: 📲 Set up your free “my Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to: View your Social Security Statement Check your earnings and future benefit estimates Request a replacement Medicare card Access a benefit verification letter Request a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S (for tax season)
🏦 If you currently receive benefits, you can also: 📋 Not receiving benefits yet? Your account can still help you: We left the fair better informed and more equipped to support our community. Thank you again to Congresswoman Ramírez and all the incredible partners who made this event possible! |
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Safety Walk Later that same day, we hit the ground AGAIN, this time walking for safety and connection alongside residents. When our neighbors call our office with safety concerns, our Community Safety Committee immediately jumps into action. Yesterday, we canvassed the area around Simons Park, speaking with dozens of residents and connecting them to services provided by ALSO and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
Walks like these reinforce the principle that we keep us safe. By showing up consistently and being present in our neighborhoods, we’re not just responding to issues - we’re building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a culture of collective care and accountability. Thank you to the residents who took the time to talk with us, and to our partners who continue to walk with us, literally and figuratively, in this work. |
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Career Day at Pablo Casals School of Excellence We ended the week back in the classroom as guests. I got to start my Friday with the second annual Career Day at Pablo Casals School of Excellence. Principal Chavez, AP Rayburn, and Ms. Hamilton did an amazing job curating a diverse group of professionals, organizing a well-run program, and motivating the students to ask tough questions. I was able to speak on our affordable housing projects and community safety initiatives, and I was even asked to submit a rat abatement city service request! Thank you for having me, and I’m looking forward to keynoting the 8th grade graduation. |
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Peace Walk & Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
And as the week wrapped up, we took time to reflect and recommit to peace, showing up alongside community members for our annual Peace Walk. I’d like to invite you all to ALSO’s 30th Annual Peace Walk, an event that brings together both sides of the park in the spirit of unity and healing. Immediately following the walk, join us at the Humboldt Park Boathouse for a Memorial Day weekend cookout and celebration. We’ll have something for everyone:
🎶 Live performances by youth from Lowell Elementary, Albizu Campos High School, and ChiArts
⛸️ A pop-up skating rink
🎨 Face painting and button making
🏰 Bouncy houses
🍔 Delicious food
…and so much more! Events like these do more than offer a positive outlet for young people. They build community. Neighbors connect, kids make new friends, and local organizations get a chance to share vital resources and services. Let’s come together to celebrate peace, joy, and each other. |
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Starting Year 3 Two years ago, I stepped into office with a promise to lead with love, accountability, and action. Since then, we’ve closed over 39,000 311 service requests, helped house more than 120 of our unhoused neighbors, developed 462 affordable housing units, knocked on more than 5,600 doors, passed major legislation including Paid Time Off and One Fair Wage, and gone four months without a single homicide in our ward. These numbers matter but what matters most is the community behind them. Every milestone reflects the power of neighbors showing up, speaking out, and building something better together. Thank you for your trust, your voice, and your partnership. Let’s keep going. In solidarity, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Community Safety Town Hall 5/21 |
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Ward Night @ Tropical Taste 5/22 |
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Walk for Peace & Cook Out 5/24 |
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| Join us on Saturday, May 24 from 1 to 5 PM at Division and California for ALSO’s 30th Annual Walk for Peace and Cookout. This is not just an event. It is a movement for safety, unity, and joy in our streets.
Come through for the music, the art, the food, the free t shirts, but most of all, come for each other. |
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Housing Preservation Ordinance Webinar 5/28 |
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The San Juan 5K is hitting Humboldt Park, and I want you to run it with me! Whether you’re racing for time or just having a good time, this is a celebration of culture, community, and movement.
👟 Use code 26thwardruns for $5 off
🎯 Help us reach our goal of 1,000 runners
📍 Humboldt Park
🔗 Sign up to Run/Walk! |
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We Are Our Own Medicine 6/7 |
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| I am is honored to join the government panel at the 2nd Annual Gun-Violence Prevention Conference, “We Are Our Own Medicine,”
Saturday, June 7, 2025 9 AM - 3 PM BUILD Chicago (5100 W. Harrison St).
This gathering brings together community leaders, educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers to develop collaborative strategies for a safer Chicago.
Join us in this critical conversation. |
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⛔️ Hermosa Park located at 2240 N Kilbourn is under construction and CLOSED to the public. All programming has been moved to Blackhawk Park, including day camps. For more information, call 312-746-5014. |
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| Construction season has begun! Don't forget to check out ChiStreetWork for updates on upcoming work in your neighborhood. |
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Street Sweeping Map & Schedule |
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Street Sweeping takes place between April and November. |
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Boulevard Landmark District Extension Project |
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The “Logan Square Boulevards District” is a significant part of our community's history and character. An extension of this Landmark District is currently being considered. This process typically takes 6 to 9 months and includes communication and notices throughout the process. This project builds on decades of historic preservation work and reflects the ongoing commitment of the 26th Ward to encouraging sustainable development and maintaining the unique identity of our neighborhoods. You can learn more about the project, review FAQs, and submit your thoughts at the26thward.org/boulevard-landmarking. |
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The 26th Ward's zoning process requires anyone requesting a zoning change to first complete a zoning intake form. After review, they present their request to the Zoning Advisory Committee and answer questions. In some cases, they may also present at a community input meeting. |
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We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties. |
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3208-3214 W Armitage Ave 1751-53 N Spaulding Ave 3300 W. Pierce Ave 1739 N Drake Ave 1631 N. Spaulding Ave
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| 1738 N St. Louis 1631 N. Spaulding Avea 1701 North Kimball 1459 N. Talman
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Chicago Builds Deadline June 2nd |
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Humboldt Park Patriots Camp |
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| 🏈 The Humboldt Park Patriots are back with 2025 Skill Camps for young athletes ages 7 to 13!
📍1301 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago
📅 Saturdays in May | 10 AM to 12 PM
May 3 – Offensive Skills
May 10 – Defensive Skills
May 17 – QB & WR Skills
💻 Register now at www.humboldtparkpatriots.com
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Provident Scholarship Fund 5/18 |
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| 📣 The Provident Scholarship Fund 2025 is now open! Medical and allied health students can apply for scholarships of $10,000 to $20,000 to support their education and careers in healthcare.
🗓️ Apply by May 18 at cookcountyhealth.org/providentscholarship
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| This event is for high school students, recent grads, young adults starting college, and anyone figuring out what comes next.
Businesses looking to hire will be in attendance, volunteer and leadership opportunities, and free headshots
Register early to get your free headshot. |
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Youth Summer Job Opportunities |
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Race Your Heart for the Arts 5/17 |
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| ChiArts first ever 5K on May 17 in Humboldt Park, Race Your Hearts for the Arts!
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) was founded on the belief that arts education and the transformative power of the arts should be accessible to all youth in Chicago. As the city’s first public arts high school, ChiArts nurtures young talent, diversifies the city’s cultural landscape, and prepares scholar-artists to lead with creativity and purpose. We’re thrilled to announce that this year, we’re “Racing Our Hearts for the Arts” with our very first 5K Run/Walk in Humboldt Park on May 17, 2025 at 8am! |
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LoSAH Birthday Open House 5/20 |
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Community Conversation 5/20 |
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Wellness Walks starting 5/21 |
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Tenant Rights & Fair Housing 5/22 |
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| Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) is excited to partner with the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, South Suburban Housing Center, and the Center of Disability Law to provide an informative and empowering webinar on Tenant Rights and Fair Housing as it is RIGHT NOW!
Date: 5/22 Time: 6pm Where: virtual Whether you live in the City of Chicago or the surrounding Cook County Suburbs, this session will help you understand your rights and resources as a tenant or landlord.
Do not miss this webinar! |
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| Looking for a fresh start?
ALSO is offering gang tattoo removal sessions for just $20 May 24 3154 W. Chicago Ave 3 PM to 5 PM.
First come, first served |
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Planting Party at LoSAH 5/30 |
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| 🌱 Join us for some sunshine, soil, and summer prep at our garden planting party!
🗓️ Friday, May 30
🕛 12 PM to 1:30 PM
📍 3555 W. Armitage Ave
We’re getting the LoSAH Center garden ready for the season. Come lend a hand and help us grow something beautiful together. 🌸
Questions? Call us at (773) 433-1995.
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Pe Erre Soft Opening Domino Club 6/7 |
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| Join us for a full day of BBQ, music, raffles, and a domino tournament where the only thing better than the food is the competition. Bring your partner and bring your game face
🗓️ Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕚 Starts at 11:00 AM
📍 1146–1156 N Rockwell
🚧 Street closed from 9 AM to 10 PM
Come celebrate this new neighborhood spot before the big grand opening in August. Let’s play, dance, and build community together! 🏆🎶🍔🁫
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Fiestas Patronales Starting June 12th |
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|  PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL!
 Parade Day On La Division St.
Stay Tuned! Updates Everyday!
 JUNE THURSDAY 12th COMMUNITY DAY!
 JUNE FRIDAY THE 13th!! GET READY!
 JUNE SATURDAY 14th PARADE DAY!
 JUNE SUNDAY 15th PAPA DE LA SALSA! PICNIC
 Tickets On Sale NOW!!!! 
http://freestylefriday2025.eventbrite.com
You Don’t Want To Miss All The New Attractions!!! Live Music Concerts, Talent Shows, Pop Ups!!
 PuertoRicanFest.com
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BoA Marathon Street Closure Notice |
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NEW Illinois Immigration Info Hub |
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Certification: Youth Mental Health First Aider |
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| 🧠✨ Become a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider!
Join LoSAH Center of Hope for a free 8-hour training on June 12 to learn how to support youth facing mental health and substance use challenges. Open to the public. Only $20 for the manual.
📍 3555 W. Armitage Ave.
🗓️ June 12, 2025 | 9 AM – 5 PM
📩 Contact Gisel Romero at gromero@losahcenter.org or (773) 433-1995
🔗 Become a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aider
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| 🚨New Pantry Alert! 🚨
The Food pantry at Le Moyne Church of God, 3301 W Le Moyne is now open.
Thursdays: 3pm to 6pm Saturdays: 1pm to 4pm
Participants must live in one of the following zip codes: 60651, 60639, and 60647 |
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Cannabis Expungement Project |
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| New Leaf Cannabis Expungement Project is a network of 17 nonprofits that helps anyone ever charged with a cannabis offense anywhere in Illinois clear eligible cannabis and non-cannabis cases from their record.
Our services are free.
New Leaf is state-funded and was formed after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was passed in 2019. |
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Avoid Bird Alert: Protect Yourself & Your Pets |
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| 🐦 H5N1 Bird Flu: What You Need to Know 🦠 Protect yourself and your pets from H5N1 bird flu by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and their droppings. If handling is necessary, wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and an N95 mask. 🐾 Keep pets safe! Don’t let dogs or cats interact with wild birds or contaminated areas. If they come into contact, wash them immediately and monitor for symptoms. 🍗 Always cook poultry and eggs thoroughly to kill any potential virus. For more info, visit: Chicago Department of Public Health |
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City of Chicago - Know Your Rights Guide |
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The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) provides this Rights Card to protect you during interactions with law enforcement or immigration officials. 📞 Family Support Hotline:
Call 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) for assistance in English, Spanish, Korean, or Polish. ✅The right to remain silent. ✅The right to refuse answering questions without legal representation. ✅The right to contact an attorney or organization for help. Print and carry this card to assert your rights and ensure your safety in uncertain situations. For more information, visit www.icirr.org/family-support |
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5k Delinquent Tax Program |
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| 🏡 Delinquent Tax Program – Get Up to $5K in Assistance!
Struggling with property taxes? The Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program (NWHEAP) and Northwest Center are offering grants up to $5,000 to help homeowners on Chicago’s Northwest Side pay off delinquent property taxes and keep their homes.
📍 Eligibility: Must live within NWHEAP boundaries
📞 Apply today! Call 773-622-0700 or 773-283-3888 for more details. 🔗 Learn more: nwheap.com |
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City of Chicago Resources |
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Intake for People Experiencing Homelessness |
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| 🏠 24/7 Intake Location for People Experiencing Homelessness
For single adults in need of shelter, the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) offers:
✅ Open 24/7 with a 200-person capacity
✅ Meals, showers, laundry, and shelter placement services
✅ On-site assistance and 3-1-1 shelter requests available around the clock
📍 Location: 2241 S. Halsted St. (S Halsted St. & W 23rd) |
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Court-Based Rental Assistance Program |
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Chicago Senior Risk Assessment Program |
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| The Chicago Seniors At Risk Assessment Program provides free fire/fall safety assessments for individuals ages 65 or over and those with a disability.
Chicago Fire Department members will assess the home for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other fire and fall hazards.
Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (312) 747-6691 |
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Chicago Rents connects landlords with tenants through various housing subsidy programs, offering guaranteed rent, vacancy filling, and personalized support. Created in response to COVID-19, it centralizes property partner relationships and helps Chicagoans in need of housing. 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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Traffic Stop Public Feedback Form |
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12 District Police Oversight |
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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. 14th Police District Council 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. |
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| OEMC currently has four job postings on the City’s website Clinical Therapist III- open till May 5 Senior Emergency Management Coordinator - open through May 7 Police Communications Operator II (9-1-1 Dispatcher) - open through May 8 Traffic Control Aide-Hourly – applications accepted till July 31
hese positions posted at: chi.gov/oemcjobs. recruitment videos for each of our divisions: City of Chicago :: Join Our Team |
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| Ready for a new career?
GWTP has trained over 2,000 people for good jobs with real career paths. No high school diploma or GED required, and programs are free for eligible applicants.
✔️ Short-term training
✔️ Industry certifications
✔️ Job placement support
✔️ Background friendly
✔️ Transportation and other services included
📲 Call 312-563-9570 to schedule a tour or register online today!
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💼 Want to become a Medical Assistant debt free? NIMAA and Erie Health are offering hands-on training starting this fall. No fees, paid externship, and free tuition if you stay and serve! Deadline is May 28th
📲 Apply now: erie.health/apply-nimaa
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| Are you a skilled and passionate healthcare professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the community? Humboldt Park Health (HPH) is seeking dedicated Physicians and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) to join our team.
View open position HERE |
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| Click Here to view and apply for Chicago Department of Public Health jobs |
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| Shipping & Receiving Training - visit sr.gwtp.org for more info 12-week training at no cost, includes supportive services once enrolled Average $18+/hour wage upon job placement Training Includes:
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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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| If you need assistance with a city service, let us know! You can submit your request through our website, by giving us a call, or submitting a request directly to 311.chicago.gov. Our team is here to provide the support you need and ensure our community thrives. |
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