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Dear Neighbor,
Tomorrow we have our annual Earth Day Clean-Up, don’t forget to sign up! I’ll see you bright and early! This week, I have updates from the City Council and local ward items. |
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City Council Updates
This month, we saw significant progress on several issues affecting working families and tenants across Chicago. The Mayor’s veto on efforts to roll back One Fair Wage was upheld, ensuring that tipped workers continue moving toward fair and equitable pay, which is a step forward in supporting the dignity and stability of our workforce. In addition, ongoing conversations about tenant protections, including the Tenant Fair Notice ordinance, continue to build on Chicago’s existing policies requiring landlords to provide advance notice of rent increases and lease terminations. This gives residents more time and stability to plan and remain in their homes. |
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Sculptural Diversification ProjectOn Tuesday, community members gathered at Humboldt Park for a public meeting on the Chicago Park District’s Sculptural Diversification Project, focused on bringing a new cultural monument to the park. Facilitated by Parks personnel and Logan Square Preservation President Andy Schneider, the meeting drew more than fifty attendees and resulted in unanimous support for the project. The proposal centers on commissioning a statue of Pedro Albizu Campos to honor the Puerto Rican community that made Humboldt Park a cultural home after their displacement from Lincoln Park. While the park currently recognizes Alexander Von Humboldt, this effort reflects a broader commitment to ensuring public spaces represent the histories and identities of the communities that shape them. Community engagement remains a key part of the process, and residents are encouraged to submit comments online through April 30, with a virtual discussion scheduled for April 30 at 12:00 pm. |
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Chicago Flower Market’s Grand Opening
Yesterday I got to celebrate Chicago Flower Market's grand opening at their new home at 3808 W. North Ave, right here in the 26th Ward! I love seeing new businesses rooting themselves in our community. We welcome Chicago Flower Market to the block. Congratulations to the whole team. We're so glad you're here. As the only wholesaler open to the public, all are invited to pre-order Mother’s Day blooms, hanging baskets, and seedlings at www.chiflowermarket.com beginning April 22nd. Flower sales continue all season through November. |
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Recycling Extravaganza
On Saturday, over 70 community members dropped off carloads of clothes, shoes, paper, electronics, and prescription pills. It was so beautiful to see so many people committed to reducing landfill waste. I’d like to thank Midway Storage, Cradles to Crayons, and the sheriff’s office for receiving all of the donations. A special shout-out to MWRD Commissioner Marcelino García and his outreach coordinator, Carlos Guevara, for donating a water barrel and 20 tree saplings. |
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Property Taxes
This Thursday, we hosted a daylong property tax event at our office in partnership with 8th District Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez. Throughout the day, residents of the 26th Ward received hands-on assistance applying for senior tax freezes and property tax exemptions (shout-out to 8D Cook County Outreach Director Cesareo Moreno!).
We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership and friendship with Commissioner Vásquez’s office and for their commitment to bringing these critical services directly to our community. Programs like the senior freeze and other exemptions play a vital role in helping longtime homeowners remain in their homes and stay rooted in the neighborhoods they’ve built over generations. We look forward to continuing this work together to ensure our residents have access to the resources they need to thrive. |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Earth Day Clean-Up & 5k: 4/18 |
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Community Zoning Meeting: 4/22 |
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Community Safety Town Hall: 4/29 |
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Property Tax Exemption Applications Are Open |
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Cicero Land Study - Virtual Community Meeting : 4/29 |
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Jumping Jack Program opens: 4/15 |
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The Jumping Jack Program is limited to residential block parties within Chicago. Events on private property, parks, forest preserves, schools, libraries, or churches; private parties; birthdays; community events; and festivals are not eligible. Applicant must reside on the block where the Block Party is taking place.
If completed correctly, applicants will receive an immediate auto reply confirming their request. If no confirmation is received, the application was not submitted.
To avoid errors, applicants should: Complete the application on a computer using Google Chrome. Manually fill in each field. Auto fill can cause errors. For the block party address, add a period after the street direction (N., S., E., or W.). Press SUBMIT at the end of the application. Applicants will receive an approval or denial email once processed. Jumping Jacks are available Saturdays and Sundays only. Demand is highest on Saturdays, so consider Sundays. The program will not operate on Saturday, July 4. Only one request per block per season will be approved. Multiple requests from the same block will be denied. Approved block parties receive one Jumping Jack for four hours. Delivery is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with pickup between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Specific time requests cannot be accommodated. If the wrong date is selected, email JumpingJack@cityofchicago.org for instructions. Last-minute changes will not be honored. Requests must be submitted through the registration portal. Email requests will not be accepted. Must obtain a permit from their Aldermanic Ward office to hold a block party. Requests are first come, first served.
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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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Humboldt Park Patriots Enrollment |
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Trina Davila April Events |
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Research Showcasing: 4/24 |
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Water Reclamation Plant Open House Tours |
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Street Outreach Mixer: 5/21 |
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Empodérate de tu futuro: 5/28 |
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48th Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade: 6/13 |
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Medican Assistant Training |
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Art Classes Enrollment Open |
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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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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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COPA Commission Advisory Committee Application |
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CCPSA Commission Meeting—4/30 |
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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 to work for better police accountability, restorative justice, and evidence based approaches to public safety. See their schedule here. |
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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
