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Dear Neighbors,
We continue to show up for neighbors during difficult moments. On Sunday, I visited Best Subs #2 to support and uplift Rabia and her family in the wake of the deportation of their father, Amin Cheema. Joining me were Noemi from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez’s office, Kerri from ICIRR, and Chef Zubair Mohajir. Unfortunately, Amin Cheema’s story isn’t unique. A father who worked hard, paid taxes, and raised his children to be kind and loving was detained, treated inhumanely, and eventually deported to a country he must now attempt to rebuild as home. So much gratitude to everyone who stopped by to support ICIRR and enjoy a delicious meal crafted by Chef Zubair. Our fight continues! |
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ChiArts
This week, we continued conversations about the future of ChiArts and what comes next for students and families. On Wednesday, I joined the ChiArts transition community meeting virtually. In my own reflection and from feedback from parents, we still have feelings of frustration about the changes and pace of the transition. I am hopeful, though! Our ChiArts parents and students are exceptionally organized and have a clear plan in collaboration with teachers. CPS supports and operates schools with many versatile programs, so I know that through collaborative partnership, we will reinvent and maintain the best version of ChiArts for our community. |
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Street Sweeping Map & Schedule
Spring street sweeping season is around the corner, and we want to help neighbors stay ahead of parking restrictions and avoid a $60 ticket. Our ward is swept by zone, with orange notices posted on your street a few days in advance so you know when to move your car. If you would like to see the schedule in advance, you can check the street-sweeping dates on my website. |
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Zoning Advisory Committee Updates
Our community-driven zoning process continues to move forward with new proposals and opportunities for public input. At our Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) meeting on February 26th, the committee met with an applicant proposing a new development near the former site of St. Augustine at 3265 W. Armitage. The proposal includes a 31-unit residential rental building with ground-floor commercial space and six on-site affordable units. The applicant is requesting a zoning change from B3-1 to B2-3 to accommodate the project.
Following the presentation, the Zoning Advisory Committee recommended that the applicant host a community meeting to share the proposal and gather wider neighborhood input. Details for the upcoming community meeting will be announced soon. |
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Vote By-Mail Important Reminder
As Election Day approaches, here is an important reminder for anyone still holding a vote by mail ballot. Neighbors, if you still have a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 17 election, do not rely on the mail at this point. The safest way to make sure your vote is counted is to return your ballot to a secure drop box at any Chicago early voting location. You can also bring your ballot to the post office counter and request a manual postmark, or deliver it directly to the Chicago Board of Elections office at 69 West Washington Street. Returning your ballot to a secure drop box is the most reliable option this close to Election Day |
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Property Tax Exemptions Now Open
Many homeowners across the Ward are feeling the pressure of rising property taxes right now, and one way to make a real difference is to ensure you receive every exemption you qualify for. The 2025 property tax exemption application period is now open, and many residents may be eligible for savings, including homeowners, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities.
The Cook County 8th District Commissioner’s Office is offering appointments to help residents apply and make sure they bring the correct documents. If you think you may qualify or want help checking your eligibility, call 312-603-6386 to schedule an appointment. Remember that the Senior Freeze and Veterans with Disabilities exemptions must be renewed every year. Share this information with a neighbor, parent, or family member who may benefit from it. |
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Belmont Cragin Town Hall
This week, the 26th Ward office hosted our first town hall of the year! This town hall was specifically for our 26th Ward residents in Belmont Cragin. During the town hall, the 26th ward team went over Safety, 311 City Services, Menu Requests, Participatory Budgeting, and Updates to Zoning and Infrastructure in the community. We even celebrated the 1.34 million dollars that has invested in the Belmont Cragin community. These town halls are for our 26th ward residents to join us, ask questions, and receive updates on what's happening in YOUR community. We are looking forward to hosting these throughout the 26th neighborhoods! |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Earth Month Series Events |
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Job Readiness Fair - 3/20 |
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Tree Planting in Hermosa 4/25 |
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The 26th Ward Office partnered with Openlands, an organization dedicated to protecting natural areas and expanding Chicago’s tree canopy, along with the 35th Ward Office, the Office of Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez, and Nixon Elementary School to host a community tree-planting day on April 25th. We are currently identifying Hermosa residents interested in having a tree planted in front of their homes at no cost. Increasing tree coverage helps reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, and manage stormwater in our neighborhoods.
The Hermosa neighborhood has been identified as a high-priority area for tree planting due to its relatively low tree canopy coverage. On April 25th, residents, students, and partners will come together to take action and invest in the long-term health of our community.
If you are a Hermosa resident interested in a tree planted in front of your home, or in volunteering to plant trees on April 25th, please email juanita@the26thward.org. If you are interested in a tree planting but do not live in the Hermosa community, please contact the 26th Ward Office at info@the26thward.org or call or text 773-395-0143 for assistance.
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Chicago Park District Participatory Budgeting |
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California Ave Construction Alert |
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Immigration Rights Resources |
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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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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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Provident Scholarship Fund - Due 4/9 |
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Pe Erre’s 1st Kids & Teens Domino Challenge |
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Humboldt Park Patriots Enrollment |
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Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation |
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Be a Student Election Judge |
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| High school students, your voice matters, even before you can vote! 🗳️
Serve as a Student Election Judge in the 2026 Election and help run your local precinct. Gain leadership experience, earn community service credit, and make an impact in your community. You can also pre-register to vote at 16 so you are ready on Election Day.
Find out more |
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48th Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade - Save The Date |
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Public Safety Department Event - 3/31 |
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World Baseball Watch Events |
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Clerk’s Office Upcoming Events |
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Chicago Public Library Presents: 3/25 - 4/22 |
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Criminalized For My Survival 3/27 |
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Vendors Wanted: Chicago Plant & Flower Festival |
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Free Senior Legal Services |
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Bilingual Foster Homes Needed |
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| Every child deserves a safe and loving home. 💙 Association House’s Foster Care Program ensures that children in our community are cared for, supported, and connected to families who will walk with them toward healing and stability. Learn more about becoming a foster parent or supporting the program at
👉 associationhouse.org/foster |
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| Seniors 60+ — Need help at home?
The City of Chicago offers free chore services to help you stay safe and independent: Light help like cleaning, laundry, errands, or personal care after an illness One‑time heavy‑duty fixes like deep cleaning, clutter removal, moving furniture, or major tidying Find eligibility info and how to apply on the City’s Help In Your Home page. Or call 312-744-4016 or email aging@cityofchicago.org for more help |
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Domestic Violence Resources |
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CEDA Utility Relief Programs |
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Seniors Community Care Program |
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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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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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| Explore careers at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. |
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| Aligned candidates will be excited about supporting a community of founders, manufacturers, and industry leaders committed to commercializing hardtech solutions. They'll be inspired by creating economic opportunity locally while deploying solutions to impact the world. They'll come with energy and enthusiasm to join a team during a moment of growth and bold new ideas. Is that you or someone you know? |
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| Casa Central has several openings in both our teaching and nursing that are critical in our programs and they may be of interest to our residents. Teaching Positions: Nursing Positions: |
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What if your everyday work directly protected public health, improved our waterways, and helped millions of people across Cook County? At the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), that’s exactly what you do. What if you could build a stable, rewarding career and make a meaningful impact on your community at the same time? At the MWRD, you can—and that’s what makes it such an exceptional place to work. |
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| Greater West Town Project is offering a Shipping and Receiving Training Program with full-time classes that run for 12 weeks. Illinois residents who are 18 years old or over and low-income eligible can train at no cost. For 33 years, Greater West Town programs have successfully equipped community residents with in-demand job skills and placed them in jobs in industry with recent wages averaging $18-20 per hour. Apply here. |
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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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| 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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Requirements:
HS diploma or equivalent
