| | | Dear Neighbor,
There is so much care moving through our ward right now. This month brings a Walk for Peace, a recap of our joyful Solidarity Ride, new resources for neighbors, and important news from City Hall and our schools. Thank you for being part of a community that shows up for one another. |
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| On Our Unhoused Neighbors I want to take this moment to talk about housing as a human right. Some of our 26th Ward constituents do not have a home. Some live in cars, in garages, basements, under viaducts, on the blocks we all share. They are part of our community. When we say We Keep Us Safe, it includes everyone. Many of our unhoused constituents come to our office, and my team does everything they can to connect them to services, help them apply for housing, and humanize their experiences. In some cases, we have neighbors who came to apply for housing my first week in office and are still on the waiting list. Due to federal cuts and budget constraints, the city simply doesn’t have enough resources and affordable housing. Two pieces were recently published that see our neighbors fully with the hardships being unhoused comes with. I encourage you to read them. All of Us Go Together from the Chicago Reader I The Years Long Wait for Affordable Housing in Chicago from Block Club Chicago If we want a real solution, we build it together without further displacement or criminalization. I will continue to advocate for housing as a basic human right, housing affordability, access and dignity for all people. |
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| Harm Reduction: Narcan Newsstands
You might have noticed the bright blue Narcan newsstands in the neighborhood. Thanks to CDPH, Association House, BUILD Chicago, CTS Health, New Life Centers, and the PRCC, anyone who is in need will have access to Narcan without barriers, requirements, or conditions. Thank you to 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay and her team for leading these practices, and CDPH for helping us stand up this pilot program.
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| | Looking Forward: Peacebook Executive Order
In April, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the Peacebook Executive Order which guarantees year-round youth peacekeeping and establishes the Peacebook Working Group. The Working Group will be co-chaired by youth and Deputy Mayor Khari Humphries, and they will lay the groundwork for citywide investments in restorative, youth-led anti-violence programming through the Peacebook Ordinance. In the coming weeks, we will have more ideas of how to apply to join the WG.
Thank you to everyone who has made it possible, including GoodKids MadCity, 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, 33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, MyChiMyFuture, DFSS, the Mayor’s Office, and every young person who has participated in our Peacebook pilots. |
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Walk for Peace & Cookout at Humboldt Park
TOMORROW we are marking 31 years of ALSO’s annual Peace Walk. We walk in unity. We eat con gusto. We dance in joy. And we protect each other the only way we know how. Together. Bring the family. Tell the whole block. We Keep Us Safe.
📍 Meet at Division & California 🕐 Walk steps off at 1 PM 🎉 Cookout after at the Humboldt Park Boat House: DJ and breakdancing, face painting, bouncy house, free tees, free hair cuts, free food, and a whole lot of fun |
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| | Solidarity Ride Recap
Last Saturday, nearly 90 of you joined me for our Solidarity Ride, and what a joyful sight it was. Neighbors of every age rolled out together across the Northwest Side, a reminder that our streets are strongest when we share them.
I was grateful to ride alongside Alderman Quezada, Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, State Senator Graciela Guzmán, State Rep Lilian Jimenez, State Rep Will Guzzardi , and 25th Police District Councilors, and the crew from West Town Bikes, who do so much to keep our community moving. When we made it back, we refueled with pizza, refreshments, and a whole lot of good conversation. Thank you to everyone who came out. |
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City Council Updates
Wednesday's City Council meeting was one of the longest on record. Sharing some of the highlights: |
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ChiArts Community Meeting & School Updates
After the long day at City Hall, my team and I attended the ChiArts community meeting. Like many of our students, families, principals, and staff of other schools, ChiArts is still trying to find the right balance with an extremely limited budget. I am optimistic about the funding for the 20 positions for arts education, however, I know that there are still gaps that the ChiArts school community will need to grapple with. On a positive note, I am grateful that the ChiArts foundation’s fundraising will continue through the Children First Fund.
My team also met with education leaders of the 26th Ward this morning to better understand the impacts of the budget cuts. Many schools are losing their assistant principals, after school programming, partnerships with mental health agencies, and do not know how to best prepare for the summer program without a finalized budget.
We have seen our community step up in times like these, from taking in Puerto Ricans impacted by Hurricane Maria, to organizing mutual aid during the pandemic, to migra watch. The trickle down impacts of the federal government’s budget will not overpower our ability to organize. If you are a community organization that offers programming to students of any age, please reach out to my office. |
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Reparations Study
The City of Chicago is gathering input to help inform the Chicago’s Reparations Study. We encourage you to complete the survey and share your lived experiences, priorities, and perspectives. Once you complete the full survey, you will be entered into a sweepstakes with the chance to win a $100 gift card. Surveys will be accepted through May 31, 2026.
Please help distribute this survey (http://bit.ly/ccrs2026) throughout your networks, memberships, and community spaces to encourage participation from Black Chicagoans across the city. |
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We Keep Us Safe: Three Years of the Community Safety Committee
This month marks three years since I took office and since the formation of the Community Safety Committee. During this time, we have worked tirelessly alongside residents and community organizations to expand violence prevention efforts, organize community events, support young people, and respond to neighborhood concerns with care and accountability.
In preparation for the Puerto Rican Festival, taking place June 11 through 14, the committee has also begun coordinating safety efforts, outreach teams, and “Corners of Care” throughout the neighborhood. The committee highlighted several upcoming community initiatives, including restorative justice conferences, youth town halls, gun violence awareness events, workforce development programs, and summer recreational opportunities for young people and families. Community organizations remain deeply committed to supporting residents through outreach, violence prevention, public health initiatives, and neighborhood engagement.
We encourage residents to attend upcoming events, connect with local organizations, and continue building a safer and more united community together. |
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Pop-Up for Peace in Hermosa 5/27
In response to the recent shooting at Homer and Kilbourn, our office is partnering with ALSO, BUILD, and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center to host a Pop-Up for Peace on Wednesday, May 27, from 4-7 pm at the corner of Kilbourn and Homer.
This gathering is about coming together as neighbors during a difficult moment, creating space for healing, and connecting our community with resources that support safety and violence prevention. Residents will be able to meet local organizations, access city resources, enjoy free food, and build community with one another.
We know that violence impacts all of us. Through collective care and partnership, we are committed to supporting our neighbors and continuing the work of building safer, stronger blocks together. |
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Office Closed for Memorial Day
My office will be closed Monday May 25th for Memorial Day. We will reopen Tuesday May 26th at 9am. Please note that trash scheduled for Monday pick up will be picked up on Tuesday. Please email our office at info@the26thward.org with any concerns during this time.
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| | In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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| | | | ALSO’s Peace Walk: TOMORROW Sat 5/23 |
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| Business Resource Fair 6/3 |
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| Immigration Rights Resources |
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| | | | Construction season has begun! Don't forget to check out our construction projects 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. 3265 W. Armitage |
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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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