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Neighbors,
This week, I have updates to share as we close out the season and prepare for the holidays.
Crosstown Trail
Last week, Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, Alderwoman Ruth Cruz, other electeds, and I joined neighbors from across the north side to talk with Friends of the Crosstown Trail about their vision. Thank you to Jeanette from Palenque LSNA and Lucy from Here to Stay for speaking your truth about the impacts of the Bloomingdale Trail and the many ways we must centered housing-first policies when planning projects like this. Like Commissioner Vasquez shared, this is an invitation to join us the first of many meetings to shape our community.
Humboldt Park TIF I am proud to share that City Council officially passed a TIF package that includes planned improvements at Humboldt Park, including restoration of Humboldt Park field house; renovation of the comfort station, the tennis courts, pathways, this rose garden, and access to the boat house; the courtyard enclosure of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture; and our very own football field. Combined with the FY24 budget appropriations from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, our park’s pathways are already under construction.
Participatory Budgeting Preview Speaking of infrastructure updates, next week I will be sharing the participatory ballot! My team is in the final stages of feasibility testing for submissions, including several pedestrian safety ideas, a school playground upgrade, and beautification projects. We will be sending our newsletter out early, so keep an eye out!
North Avenue Corridor Yesterday I met with CDOT about the North Avenue Corridor Improvement project, which runs from Kostner Avenue to Kedzie Avenue. I am most excited about the intersection improvements, new pedestrian plazas, and placemaking identifiers. Take a look at pages 17-26 for some of the artistic renderings! |
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Property Taxes Beyond infrastructure, many neighbors are feeling another concern at home. I know many of you are still feeling the shock of this year’s historic property tax increases, and you deserve every tool available to seek relief. This week, there was an important new development. The Cook County Board of Review has announced that it will reopen the appeals window in all townships due to the four-month delay in mailing second-installment bills. This gives homeowners all across the city another chance to challenge their assessed value and potentially reduce their bills in 2026. The Cook County Board will release specific reopening dates and instructions in the coming days, and my office will share that information with you as soon as it’s available. We will also assist you in reviewing exemptions and filing appeals. Please reach out if you need support! |
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SNAP Changes Support does not stop at housing or taxes; we also want to protect access to food and safety. Please review the SNAP Changes: What You Need to Know information to understand how you may be impacted. Take note of the What Should You Do section for recommendations to prevent losing your benefits. A decision of termination is NOT appealable, so ensure all of your benefit information is up to date. Call the ABE Support Hotline at 800-843-6154 if you have questions. |
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Community Safety Town Hall On Wednesday, I hosted our final Community Safety Town Hall of the year. We began by sharing legislative updates regarding the city budget, school patrols, property tax bills, and how the different levels of government are supporting constituents through various programs and services, including immigration. We followed up with a Community Watch training facilitated by Sandra Puebla with the office of Senator Graciela Guzmán and a whistle kit-making workshop facilitated by Representative Lilian Jimenez's team. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and participated in one of the workshops, and a special thank you to staffers from the offices of Commissioner Jessica Vásquez, Senator Graciela Guzmán, Representative Lilian Jiménez, and Congresswoman Ramírez for providing updates and engaging with neighbors. Also, thank you to our host, Inglesia Emmanuel. We keep us safe. |
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Turkey Give-Away As we support one another, we also celebrate our community. This Thursday, I had the honor of joining neighbors at the Humboldt Park Boathouse for our annual Turkey Giveaway. Together with Senator Aquino, Representative Jiménez, and our community partners at Life Impacters, we provided Thanksgiving turkeys and food items to more than 200 families across our community. I want to thank everyone who came out, volunteered, or helped spread the word. Your care keeps our community strong, and I am grateful to serve alongside you this holiday season. |
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Office Closure
The office will be closed on Monday during Ward Night appointments. In observance of Days in Solidarity with Native Americans, the office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28. We look forward to reconnecting with you after the break. |
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Winter Senior Gala Before we head into the holiday week, we also have a special celebration coming up for our seniors. If you are a senior, I invite you to attend this year’s Winter Senior Gala on Thursday, December 11th from 12-3pm. Senator Aquino, Representative Lilian Jiménez and I have planned an afternoon of fun that includes food, live music including a parranda, and raffles. You must register to receive a ticket. RSVP at RSVP at bit.ly/seniorgala2025. |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Ward Night Pop-up In Humboldt Park 12/2 |
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Semi -Truck Pilgrimage Traffic Disruptions 11/29 |
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Fall Leaves Are Falling - Let’s Keep Them Off Our Streets |
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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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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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1751-53 N Spaulding Ave 3652 W North Ave 1616 N Saint Louis
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| 3251 W Division St 1132 N Mozart St
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Girls’ in Sports Summit 12/13 |
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With the ongoing federal government shutdown impacting SNAP benefits, Noble Schools is working to ensure our families have access to consistent food and resource support. To help during this uncertain time, we’ve compiled a list of verified community resources, including food pantries and supply centers that don’t require ID, along with additional assistance options available in both English and Spanish |
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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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Black Friday Solidarity Action |
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Trina Davila Community Events |
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Chicago Park District Fall Events |
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Black Friday Mercadito 11/28 |
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Artesanos del Coquito 11/29 |
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Free Flu and Covid Vaccinations |
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Filming/Parking Notice 11/25 |
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FREE MOBILITY EQUIPMENT REPAIR QUOTES |
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Community Support Youth Soccer |
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| Calling all emerging real estate developers in Chicago! Ready to grow your business? The Chicago EDI Program will give you the skills, mentorship, and network to take the next step. ✨ Hands-on training and advising ✨ One-on-one mentorship ✨ Connections to peers and partners ✨ Pathways to financing Brought to you by Chicago Community Loan Fund and Community Investment Corporation, with Capital Impact Partners, and funded by MacArthur Foundation and U.S. Bank. Spots are limited 👉 Apply today |
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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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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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Starting salary: $74,526 (effective 1/1/2026 per contract) Deadline: Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM CDT Minimum requirements: |
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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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| The Illinois Department of Human Services is hosting virtual and in-person recruitment events in English and Spanish. Register here, and apply for open positions here. |
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| HIRE360 is recruiting candidates into union trades apprenticeship program and preparing them for work opportunities in upcoming Chicago construction projects. This 8-week program is for Illinois residents 17 and a half or older that are authorized to work in the U.S., have a flexible schedule, a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to various locations. More information 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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| 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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Requirements:
HS diploma or equivalent
