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Neighbors,
We are proud to share that last weekend was Chicago’s safest Memorial Day weekend in sixteen years. That is not luck. That is the result of community-led care, investment in prevention, and a shared commitment to building something better. Violence is not just a public safety issue. It is a public health issue. When we meet it with healing, housing, mental health care, and opportunity, we begin to transform.
In that spirit, this past Saturday we came together in Humboldt Park for ALSO’s 20th Annual Walk for Peace event. The energy, the love, and the strength of our community were felt in every step. I want to thank all of the families, young people, elders, and neighbors who showed up. Thank you to our incredible sponsors and partners who made this day possible and helped us create a space rooted in joy, safety, and solidarity. Thank you for walking with us. Together, we keep us safe. |
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On Tuesday, I had the honor of speaking directly with many of you at our State of the Ward event. We reflected on the work we have done together and named the challenges we face ahead. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez joined us to share the harsh realities of federal budget cuts and what they could mean for working families in our ward. But in 26th Ward fashion, we did not stop at identifying problems. We organized.
We broke into small groups aligned with our office’s core pillars, and neighbors brought forward powerful ideas and solutions, from violence prevention to youth development to environmental justice. We know the answers live in our community. With a room full of active and engaged residents, we affirmed what we already know: we are not waiting for change. We are building it. Together. |
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On Wednesday, we had over 100 tenants, property owners, and community organization representatives register for our webinar on the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase (TOPA) program. If you missed the sessions, you can watch the recording here. Learn more about the ordinance and TOPA on the Department of Housing website. We’ll be planning more in-person outreach and engagement efforts throughout the summer. Stay tuned for more ways to learn and get involved! |
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As Chair of the Subcommittee on Youth Employment, I take as many opportunities to listen to young people as I can. This week I was able to record a video answering some questions from Mitchell Elementary about the upcoming curfew ordinance vote, and my Legislative Aide, Marie, was able to visit the 8th grade class to talk through the consequences of the ordinance. Shoutout to Mr. Ramin for organizing such an engaging and thought provoking lesson!
Additionally, I got to hear directly from the Next-Gen mock Committee on Health & Human Relations! They engaged in thoughtful dialogue about the needs of teens, and similarly developed an ordinance that supports third spaces. The Next-Gen cohort that Clerk Valencia and her office have organized has had a huge impact on how alders and city staff can learn alongside young people.
Today is the final day to apply for One Summer Chicago! If you are between 16-24, make sure you get your application in.
Finally, Chicago High School for the Arts is hiring. If you or someone you know is interested in working at one of our amazing 26th Ward high schools, make sure to visit their careers page. |
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With summer right around the corner, we can expect for construction within the Ward to kick into overdrive provided the improved weather and accessibility to our streets & sidewalks. Although we are extremely excited to observe these improvements within the coming weeks, we also understand that folks would like to know what’s happening and for how long. For that reason, rest assured that you can monitor said activity by visiting the City’s ChiStreetWork portal to observe any and all active permits within your area.
By entering your home address within the portal, and clicking on the highlighted street of interest, you can recover the permit, foreman contact information, and projected timeline for any given project!
In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Community Development Meeting 6/4 |
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We Are Our Own Medicine 6/7 |
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| I am is honored to join the government panel at the 2nd Annual Gun-Violence Prevention Conference, “We Are Our Own Medicine,”
Saturday, June 7, 2025 9 AM - 3 PM BUILD Chicago (5100 W. Harrison St).
This gathering brings together community leaders, educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers to develop collaborative strategies for a safer Chicago.
Join us in this critical conversation. |
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El Corillo Original starting 6/23 |
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KYR Criminal Records Workshop: 6/25 |
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The San Juan 5K is hitting Humboldt Park, and I want you to run it with me! Whether you’re racing for time or just having a good time, this is a celebration of culture, community, and movement.
👟 Use code 26thwardruns for $5 off
🎯 Help us reach our goal of 1,000 runners
📍 Humboldt Park
🔗 Sign up to Run/Walk! |
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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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| 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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3208-3214 W Armitage Ave 1751-53 N Spaulding Ave 3300 W. Pierce Ave 1739 N Drake Ave 1738 N St. Louis Ave
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| 1631 N. Spaulding Ave 1701 North Kimball 1459 N. Talman Ave 3750 W. North Ave 2735 W North Ave
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Chicago Builds Deadline June 2nd |
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Culinary Apprenticeship 6/5 |
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| Are you passionate about cooking and ready to take your skills to the next level? We’re excited to announce that our next cohort starts on **July 21st**! This is your chance to learn from top chefs and gain hands-on experience in a professional kitchen. 🗓️ **Apply by June 5th** to secure your spot! |
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| 🎣🌿 Everyone Belongs Nature Festival
Join us for a fun-filled day of fishing, archery, canoeing, food, music, and more! 🗓️ Saturday, June 14, 2025
⏰ 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 William W. Powers State Rec Area (S. Avenue O & E. 126th) ✅ Free Youth Fishing Derby
🎁 First 300 guests get a FREE frisbee!
📲 Register HERE! Hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. |
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| My Block, My Hood, My City
Our third annual Downtown Day aims to bring 1,000 youth—primarily from Chicago’s South and West sides—into the heart of our cultural and business corridors for a day of exploration, belonging, and new opportunities!
Sign up to enjoy downtown! |
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Youth Summer Job Opportunities |
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| 🌟 Build Power with Palenque LSNA!
Looking for a meaningful summer job? Palenque LSNA’s Summer Youth Employment Program offers paid opportunities rooted in social justice, creativity, and community healing.
💼 Pay: $16.60/hr (June 23 – August 1)
✔️ Build your resume
✔️ Make a difference in your neighborhood
✔️ Connect with mentors and peers 📩 Contact: Arely Barrera – abarrera@palenquelsna.org
📲 Apply now!
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TOMORROW! Humboldt Park Community Clean-Up 5/31 |
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| 🌿Join the Chicago Parks Foundation for a community clean-up at Humboldt Park and help us show love to the spaces that bring us joy. Bring your friends, your energy, and your commitment to care.🌿 🧹 Meet at the Boathouse: 1301 N Humboldt Dr at 10 AM to 2 PM. 🖐️ All ages welcome and supplies provided 📲 Sign up to clean the park! Let’s make this the first of many. We plan to continue clean-ups on the last Saturday of each month through September: 🗓️ May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, and September 27 |
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TOMORROW! HNA Block Party |
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Wellness Day on Paseo 6/7 |
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| 🌟 Wellness Day on Paseo Boricua 🌟
Join us for a vibrant day of health, culture, and community at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Annual Wellness Fair in Barrio Borikén! 🗓️ Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Paseo Boricua – Division St. from Western to California 💥 Let’s celebrate wellness and community, Boricua-style!
📞 Interested in tabling? Call 773-698-7473 |
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Pe Erre Soft Opening Domino Club 6/7 |
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| Join us for a full day of BBQ, music, raffles, and a domino tournament where the only thing better than the food is the competition. Bring your partner and bring your game face
🗓️ Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕚 Starts at 11:00 AM
📍 1146–1156 N Rockwell
🚧 Street closed from 9 AM to 10 PM
Come celebrate this new neighborhood spot before the big grand opening in August. Let’s play, dance, and build community together! 🏆🎶🍔🁫
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Fiestas Patronales Starting 6/12 |
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|  PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL!
 Parade Day On La Division St.
Stay Tuned! Updates Everyday!
 JUNE THURSDAY 12th COMMUNITY DAY!
 JUNE FRIDAY THE 13th!! GET READY!
 JUNE SATURDAY 14th PARADE DAY!
 JUNE SUNDAY 15th PAPA DE LA SALSA! PICNIC
 Tickets On Sale NOW!!!! 
http://freestylefriday2025.eventbrite.com You Don’t Want To Miss All The New Attractions!!! Live Music Concerts, Talent Shows, Pop Ups!! |
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Westside Business Summit 6/13 |
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| 📢 Join us for the 1st Annual Westside Districts Business Summit!
Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps, in partnership with Commissioner Michael Scott, Jr., invites small businesses, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and job seekers for a day of networking, resources, and opportunity. 🗓️ Friday, June 13
🕙 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612 🤝 Featuring guests from Cook County, the City of Chicago, NFP resources, and local chambers of commerce! 📞 For more info, contact Khadija Warfield at 312-603-4566 or Khadija.Warfield@cookcountyil.gov |
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| New Life Community Church-East Humboldt Park located at 1651 N Kedzie is hosting a Versiti Blood Drive on Saturday, June 21st from 10am to 2pm. I was hoping you could include it in the community newsletter. You have the power to change a life.  
Blood donations support cancer patients, trauma victims, and surgical patients every single day.
Versiti is here to help—but we can’t do it without you.
 Join the fight. Make your appointment now. |
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LoSAH/ The Kedzie Center Fundraiser 6/26 |
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| 🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Community Mental Health
Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025 for a special evening honoring a decade of healing and resilience with EMHS, The Kedzie Center, and LoSAH.
📍 St. Augustine Hall, 1345 W Argyle
🕕 6 PM – 9 PM
Support the celebration by:
🎟️ Purchasing tickets: thekedziecenter.org or losahcenter.org
💌 Sponsoring or donating to our silent auction: contact development@thekedziecenter.org
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Share Feedback for a Healthier & Sustainable Community |
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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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2025 Women’s Small Business Cohort |
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| Are you a woman entrepreneur in Chicago with a business that's at least 2 years old and generating $100K+ annually? The Chicago Sky Foundation invites you to join an empowering program offering: 💼 Business workshops & mentorship (June 18 – July 11) 🎤 Pitch competition with cash grants: $25K, $15K, and $10K 🏀 Recognition at a Chicago Sky game 💰 $5,000 participation stipend for selected businesses
📅 Apply by Deadline: June 2, 2025 |
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BoA Marathon Street Closure Notice UPDATE! |
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NEW Illinois Immigration Info Hub |
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Certification: Youth Mental Health First Aider |
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| 🧠✨ Become a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider!
Join LoSAH Center of Hope for a free 8-hour training on June 12 to learn how to support youth facing mental health and substance use challenges. Open to the public. Only $20 for the manual.
📍 3555 W. Armitage Ave.
🗓️ June 12, 2025 | 9 AM – 5 PM
📩 Contact Gisel Romero at gromero@losahcenter.org or (773) 433-1995
🔗 Become a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aider
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| 🚨New Pantry Alert! 🚨
The Food pantry at Le Moyne Church of God, 3301 W Le Moyne is now open. Thursdays: 3pm to 6pm Saturdays: 1pm to 4pm Participants must live in one of the following zip codes: 60651, 60639, and 60647 |
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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. For additional information, please visit: allchicago.org/chicagorents. If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply. |
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Traffic Stop Public Feedback Form |
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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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| OEMC currently has four job postings on the City’s website Clinical Therapist III- open till May 5 Senior Emergency Management Coordinator - open through May 7 Police Communications Operator II (9-1-1 Dispatcher) - open through May 8 Traffic Control Aide-Hourly – applications accepted till July 31
hese positions posted at: chi.gov/oemcjobs. recruitment videos for each of our divisions: City of Chicago :: Join Our Team |
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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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| Shipping & Receiving Training - visit sr.gwtp.org for more info 12-week training at no cost, includes supportive services once enrolled Average $18+/hour wage upon job placement Training Includes:
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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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