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Dear Neighbors,
This week is full of opportunities to engage, protect what matters, and shape what comes next in the 26th Ward.
When the Chicago Board of Education voted to transition ChiArts to a District-managed school, they directed CPS to engage the community around establishing a sustainable Conservatory framework. This upcoming community meeting will be an important part of this work. It will be an opportunity for you to hear from CPS about the most sustainable and equitable model the District feels is possible as we begin this new journey for ChiArts. It will also give you the chance to ask questions and provide your feedback on the District’s proposed plan. Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Format: Virtual Meeting via Zoom (registration required)
Registration: If you wish to attend the virtual meeting, please complete this registration form by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 23. For convenience, a QR code is provided below. A Zoom meeting invite will be sent via email the day before the meeting. |
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Vegigante” by Mina, ChiArts freshman |
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Humboldt and Sacramento Boulevard Landmark WIN
After more than 20 years of community organizing, the Humboldt and Sacramento Boulevards are now protected under the Logan Square Landmark District extension. This is a win for working-class families and long-time residents. Landmark designation creates real safeguards against demolition, deconversions, and speculative development that drive displacement, while preserving the boulevard's architectural integrity and historic character. Landmarking is one tool in our broader fight to protect housing stability and ensure development does not erase the people or the history that built this neighborhood. To learn more about what this means, visit our website here. |
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Share Your Feedback: 3300 W Pierce Zoning Proposal In the 26th Ward, community-driven zoning means neighbors have a real voice in what gets built. A zoning change has been proposed for 3300 W Pierce by Vandy Projects, and we want to hear from you. Based on feedback from past meetings, including the recent February 4th meeting, the applicant has proposed updates to the project. Be part of the process. Review the proposal details and complete the survey here. |
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2025 Participatory Budgeting Results Are In!
Thank you to the 559 voters who cast their 2026 Participatory Budgeting ranked choice ballot! We are excited to celebrate yet another school that organized its community. Through community voting, Project 11, Stow Elementary Outdoor Play Area, will move forward. Participatory Budgeting is one way we put public dollars in YOUR hands. You propose the idea, you vote, we implement. We will be reaching out to the top three winners to determine next steps. Have an infrastructure project for the 2027 budget? See how you can submit your idea here: www.the26thward.org/pb26 |
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Office Closure 2/23
Our office will be closed on Monday, February 23 for professional development. Our staff will attend a training on gender-based violence facilitated by DFSS. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 24 at 9 am and resume regular office hours. If you need immediate assistance while we are closed, please call 311 for city services. |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Businesses Know Your Rights 2/26 |
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Good Vibes Save Lives - 3/4 |
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Tree Planting in Hermosa 4/25 |
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The 26th Ward Office is partnering 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 who are interested in having a tree planted in front of their home 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 having a tree planted in front of your home, or if you would like to volunteer during the tree-planting day 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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Development Feedback - 3251 W. Division |
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| Submit feedback on the proposed zoning change request to build 44 affordable housing unit.
Submit here. |
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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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Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation |
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Lens on Love - Youth & Healthy Relationships |
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ASM: Spanish Dance Experience |
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Palenque Youth Opportunities |
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City Cruises College internships |
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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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Family Preparedness Plan Workshops |
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Community Resource Fair 2/28 |
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Chicago Food Justice Summit |
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Bilingual Foster Homes Needed |
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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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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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| 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
