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Neighbors,
This week has been full of connection, hard work, and celebration across the 26th Ward. From preparing our young people for the school year to investing in youth employment, honoring scholarship winners, and sending off our summer interns. |
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Back to School Bash In one afternoon, more than 1,000 students left with backpacks, 1,600 tacos were served, and over 30 haircuts were given. Families also received dental and medical services and connected with over 50 community resources. The heat was intense, but our volunteers, partners, and neighbors never slowed down. Everyone worked with one purpose to make sure every student starts the year prepared, supported, and proud to be part of this community. Thank you to Senator Omar Aquino, Representative Lilian Jiménez, and the Hispanic Federation, and to every person who helped make this event a success. Together, we proved what community care looks like. |
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Youth Employment Numbers
Our commitment to young people does not stop at school supplies. It is also about creating opportunities that keep them safe, supported, and able to thrive. Last year, I voted yes on allocating $50 million to fund youth employment. As of last week, city data confirms that 30,124 youth were hired this summer. Unsurprisingly, we have also seen steep drops in shootings and homicides, particularly in police beats where peacekeepers are active. Organizations like ALSO, BUILD, and PRCC have activated peacekeepers and youth employment throughout the 26th Ward. And through the Peace Book Pilot, youth peacekeepers with Blocks Together, Healing Hands, Nicholas Lee Foundation, Cannabis Equity, Urban Innovators, Legacy Disciples, and Global Love received 60 hours of training in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and community organizing, and also completed 60 hours of community and peace-building activities. For a second summer in a row, we have proven that investments in violence prevention organizations and youth employment result in safe and prosperous communities.
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Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Scholarship awardees
Education is one of the most powerful tools we can give our youth, and this month we had the joy of celebrating two remarkable students who are using their talents to lead — Madeleine Desouza and Kate Chavez.
Both students have shown outstanding commitment to their education and their communities. Their drive, leadership, and vision for the future are exactly what we need as we work to build a more just and equitable city. We are proud to see them recognized by the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation and cannot wait to see all they will accomplish in the years ahead. |
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Final week with Interns This summer, we had the honor of working alongside 15 incredible interns who filled our office with life, laughter, and fresh ideas. Their curiosity, creativity, and dedication strengthened our work, helping us reach more people, think more boldly, and move with greater purpose. They were not just “helping out.” They were thought partners, problem solvers, and an essential part of our team. Each one brought a unique perspective that enriched our work and reminded us why investing in young leaders is investing in our future. They will be deeply missed, but they leave us with much hope for what is ahead for them and our community. Their work will have a lasting impact from their first day getting stuck in a City Hall elevator to their last day supporting over 1000 families at our Back To School Bash. |
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In their own words, here is their reflection on a summer of service in the 26th Ward: Our internship at the 26th Ward of Chicago gave us much insight into politics, social media, event planning, and community outreach. We spent multiple days at city hall, sitting on zoning committee meetings and the city council. We even spoke about ICE tactics across the city during a countryside meeting. One of our most impactful events was the Mayoral Youth budget roundtable, which allowed us to speak up about the most pressing issues in our communities. We spent many hours with Jessie and other ward staff members walking the ward, hearing from constituents, letting them know about available resources, and upcoming events. Our final project was planning the back-to-school bash, which involved calling our sponsors for the event, confirming their attendance, and creating a floor plan.
The ward staff did an excellent job training, taking us under their wing, and truly making us feel like a part of the team. The office became a community where we could openly voice our opinions and suggestions and be taken seriously. Amongst the interns, we realized we all came from very diverse backgrounds, which helped us develop unique solutions and learn so much from one another. Most of us had never really connected with an Alderperson. Still, through this internship, we recognized the importance of understanding an Alderperson's role in the city and how they should show up for their constituents. |
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Ward Night Pop Up Monday 8/11 Lastly, my pop up events to talk directly with you and bring the latest policy, zoning, and 26th Ward updates have been such an important way to connect. They give me the chance to hear what is working, what is not, and to dig into the issues that matter most, from public safety and traffic concerns to housing, infrastructure, and the need for more community resources. |
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Join me for our next Pop Up Ward Night on Monday, August 11 from 5 to 7 PM at Kimball Daycare, 1636 N Kimball. Whether you have a question, an idea, or a concern, my team and I are here to listen and work with you. Register at bit.ly/26Wardnight |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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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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Cicero Ave. Land Use Study |
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We need to hear from YOU! Please take a few minutes to complete the community survey for the Cicero Avenue Land Use Study. English and Spanish versions are available. The Department of Planning and Development, is evaluating existing conditions along Cicero Avenue between West Irving Park Road and West Grand Avenue. Encompassing 2.75 miles, the study will determine recommendations for land use improvements along the corridor that foster economic vitality, cohesion, safety and other local goals, based on input from community partners, business owners, residents and elected officials. The study area includes portions of the Portage Park and Belmont Cragin community areas. Click here to learn more. |
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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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| Updated Proposal for 3300 W Pierce – We Want Your Input!
The development team for the former Pierce Church has submitted an updated proposal to convert the building into a 26-unit apartment complex. In response to community concerns, they’ve secured 20 off-site parking spaces near the property. We’re asking neighbors for new feedback. |
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We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties. |
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1801 N. Central Park 1701 North Kimball 1751-53 N Spaulding Ave 3652 W North Ave
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| 1739 N Drake 2708 W Crystal 1616 N Saint Louis
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Birdwatching event - 8/10 |
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| Trillium Wilds Presentation Bird Watching Tour 📅 Sunday, August 10 🕖 7-9 AM 📍 Humboldt Park Boathouse 1301 N. Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622 Spend your Sunday morning learning about local birds with the Trillium Wilds team! 📲 Register for this free event by scanning the QR code. Limited seating!
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Unite for Trans Youth Lives with a rally - 8/10 |
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| UNITE FOR THE LIVES OF TRANS YOUTH Stand up against attacks on gender-affirming healthcare and mental health services 📅 Sunday, August 10 at 1 PM 📍 Federal Plaza, Chicago
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Solar Energy Workshop - 8/11 |
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| 🌞 Ready, Set, Solar! 🌞 Learn how to use solar energy in your home or business. Join a free workshop hosted by the City of Chicago and get answers to all your solar energy questions. 📅 Next Date: August 11 at 5:30 p.m. – Harold Washington Library 🔗 More information: chi.gov/ReadySetSolar Let's build a greener Chicago together! ♻️
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Contractor Outreach Event- 8/11 |
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| 📣 Hermosa Homeowners: Who will inherit your home?
Join us on Wednesday, August 13, for a special opportunity to meet with a lawyer and complete a Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI)—a simple legal document that ensures your home is passed on without the cost and delay of probate. 🕒 Appointments available from 3–7 PM
📍 Only available for homeowners in the Hermosa neighborhood
📧 To register, email Lucy Gomez Feliciano at lgomez@heretostayclt.org Protect your legacy. Make a plan that reflects your love and your values. |
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Back to School Ice Cream Social-8/15 |
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| 🎉 Join us for a sweet back-to-school celebration! @nwheap is hosting a FREE Ice Cream Social to welcome the new school year. Come enjoy ice cream, candy, school supplies, and more! 📅 August 15th 🕚 11 AM–1 PM 📍 3234 N. Central Ave. #102, Chicago, IL 60634 |
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First Day of School-Pop up Health Fair - 8/18 |
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Town Hall Meeting with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez-8/19 |
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Financial Workshop - 8/20 |
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| Financial Success: Building Strong Financial Relationships For New Businesses 🎤 Presenter: Jeanette Torres, Vice President and Bank Manager 📅 WORKSHOP DETAILS: Wednesday, August 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 📍 Location: 2559 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 🍽️ A light lunch will be provided. 💲 NO COST TO ATTEND! 📞 Contact: 939-644-9004 🌐 https://sbdcprcc.org |
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HNA Presents: Workshop 4200 Open House and the Hermosa Children's Market – Where kids learn to be their own bosses! 📅 Friday, August 23, 2025 Join us for a day filled with creativity and empowerment at Workshop 4200—the perfect space to connect with neighbors, explore local art studios, and discover what makes our community thrive. 🔗 More information and free registration on Eventbrite:
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| 🎨 Join us for the Battle4TheCity Mural Festival!
Experience a day of art, culture, and community along the Bloomingdale Trail between Kedzie and Humboldt Boulevard. 🗓 Saturday, August 23, 2025
🕗 8 AM to 8 PM
📍 Bloomingdale Trail – Between Kedzie & Humboldt Blvd
🔗 Scan the QR code or visit www.battle4thecity.com to learn more! Hosted by Momentum Art Tech, the Bloomingdale Trail, and Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.
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First-Time Homebuyer Workshops-8/23, 8/30 |
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| First-Time Homebuyer Assistance (VIRTUAL) DATES: Session 1: Saturday, August 23, 2025 Session 2: Saturday, August 30, 2025 🕙 TIME: 10 AM – 1 PM 💻 LOCATION: Online via Zoom (open to the public) ✔️ Includes: HUD-approved Homebuyer Education Certificate. 📌 To receive the certificate, you must complete both workshop sessions and a mandatory individual counseling session. READY TO REGISTER? 📧 Email: epinto@northwestcenterchicago.org 📱 Text (preferred): 708-669-6820
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🍷 Sangria Festival Chicago celebrates 10 years! 🎉 Enjoy live music, art, food, shopping, and of course… handcrafted sangria flavors!📍 Humboldt Park 📅 August 23 & 24 🎟️ Tickets on sale now! 🔗 SangriaFestivalChicago.com 🎨 21+ | Paint, taste, and celebrate!
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Free Mammogram - No Insurance Needed 8/25 |
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| Early detection saves lives.
The Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center is offering FREE mobile mammogram screenings in Humboldt Park from August 25–29 and September 2–5, right at the Boathouse parking lot (1301 N Humboldt Dr). No insurance is required just show up if you're a woman age 40 or older. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments encouraged. 📞 Call (312) 924-3225 for more info.
🩷 Tag a friend and spread the word. our health matters!
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Homeowner Exemptions Workshop-9/17 |
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🏡 Homeowner in Cook County? Don’t Miss This Workshop!
Join the Cook County Assessor’s Office on Wednesday, September 17 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the Humboldt Park Branch (1605 N Troy St) for a Homeowner Exemptions Workshop. Learn how property tax exemptions work, which ones renew automatically, and how to check if they were applied to your home. The session will also include a live Q&A, so you can get your specific questions answered. 🔍 Great for homeowners looking to understand their property taxes and save money.
📚 For more info, ask your librarian or visit chipublib.org.
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Public Safety Community Fair - 9/27 |
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| Come Celebrate Public Safety Awareness And Preparedness Month! 🎉 Free Admission 📅 Saturday, September 27, 2025 🕚 From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 📍 At the Public Safety Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave 📲 Scan the QR code to register: https://forms.office.com/g/8C11zcPWGW🔗 For more information about Public Safety: www.chicago.gov/PSA
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New Life Tuesdays Community Meals |
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Domestic Violence Resources |
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City Financial Support Services |
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CEDA Utility Relief Programs |
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Seniors Community Care Program |
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Call for Vendors: Children’s Marketplace |
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Heat Resilience Policy & Program Community Survey |
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Donate to Meals on Wheels |
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| 🍽️ Hunger Takes No Summer Vacation
Funding cuts are putting Meals on Wheels Chicago at risk—while demand keeps growing. Help us keep the doors open for homebound seniors.
💙 Start a virtual pantry drive or become a monthly Meal Maker today: www.mowc.org/donate
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🌼 Help Keep Hermosa Beautiful! 🌼
Join your neighbors in beautifying Hermosa by adopting a traffic circle or corner! Let’s work together to keep Hermosa vibrant, safe, and welcoming!
📩 Email: info@ourhermosa.org | 🌐 ourhermosa.org | 📱 773-295-7790
Let’s make our community shine! ✨ |
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NEW Illinois Immigration Info Hub |
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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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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. If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply. |
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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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| Chicago Board of Elections is HIRING!
Various full-time positions avilable.
Apply by sending your resume to HR@CHICAGOELECTIONS.GOV
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| OEMC currently has four job postings on the City’s website ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Salary: $50,424 Annually Job Posting:Jun 12, 2025 | Requisition ID:410015 GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF SPECIAL TRAFFIC SERVICES Salary: $94,992 Annually Job Posting:Jun 9, 2025 | Requisition ID:409282 TRAFFIC CONTROL AIDE-HOURLY Salary: $22.04 Job Posting:Mar 19, 2025 | Requisition ID:411598
Apply HERE |
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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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| 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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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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| Call for Vendors: Pop Up Market |
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