In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources
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Dear Neighbors,
As we continue to work behind the scenes on the Peace Book Ordinance, we are excited to share that GoodKids MadCity is hiring 100 Peacekeepers between the ages of 16-24 from the Englewood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, Grand Crossing, and Bronzeville neighborhoods. GKMC is partnering with Chicago Torture Justice Center, Southside Together Organizing for Power, Let Us Breathe Collective, Canna Equity IL Coalition, and Acclivus Inc to host and train youth in peace keeping, transformative justice, and street outreach work. As a former Dean of Students, I know how life changing these summer jobs are, from engaging youth in meaningful work to providing a little extra income and breathing room come the first day of school. Interested? Apply at onesummerchicago.org. If you have questions about the application process, email marie@the26thward.org or visit https://bit.ly./gkmc-osc.
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The very first committee I put together upon getting in office was our Community Safety Committee (CSC). The committee is made up of violence prevention and intervention organizations, non-profit organizations, district councilors, and community members. We have met every month since May 16, 2023. The chair of the CSC is Dr. Xavier Pérez, 26th Ward resident and Professor of Criminology at DePaul University. Through our collective efforts, the CSC has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at nurturing community cohesion and fostering safety. The CSC has organized community events, safety walks in the ward, and most recently, our Pop-Up for Peace event at Mozart Park which I partnered up with Alderperson Carlos Ramírez-Rosa to host. There were games, resource tables and free hot dogs! We engaged over 100 community members. A special thank you to Park Supervisor Cirilo González for hosting us.
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Last week, 15 CSC members and my staff participated in a Safe Chicago class facilitated by the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC). Safe Chicago’s mission is to improve the safety of municipal employees by making life-saving bleeding control equipment and training readily available for anyone to use in the event of an emergency. Below is some information that we strongly believe you will find useful; it includes:
I’d like to thank Commission Tirado and Senior Emergency Management Coordinator Rosie Alicea-Zink for making this training possible. The CSC left the meeting confident in their new learned abilities to help save lives.
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On Saturday, members of the CSC coordinated and participated in a safety walk. My Chief of Staff Juanita García spoke with over 15 neighbors, collected 11 service requests, distributed our We Keep Us Safe window placards, and information on summer programs available for young people. A special shout-out to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and ALSO for helping make the safety walk possible. Collectively, these safety walks, community events and workshops epitomize our unwavering commitment to community building as a cornerstone of our safety strategy.
Today, I’ll be popping up at White Piano for Ward Night. White Piano is artist and designer Jason Davell’s Fashion Art Gallery, located on Paseo Boricua. His shop is open to the public to get custom garments that are considered walking pieces. It is so important for me to support local businesses and engage residents of the ward. I hope you could join me from 5-7pm at 2504 W. Division.
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Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office
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Join us today, Monday, April 29th from 5-7pm at the White Piano
Ward nights are an opportunity to meet with Alderperson Fuentes to talk to her about local or city issues and they take place every Monday from 5pm - 7pm. Ward night meetings are by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.
If you would like to meet with Alderperson Fuentes during ward night, please call or email the ward office at 773-395-0143 or info@the26thward.org.
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Property Tax Exemption Workshop
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Join us Tuesday, April 30th from 10 am - 2 pm at our office (2511 W. Division St.) for assistance in filing for exemptions. Please sign up for an appointment at bit.ly/ccao0430.
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Community Meeting: Division Street Improvements
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You are invited to attend a public meeting concerning the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) “Complete Street” improvement project on Division Street between Central Park and California. This meeting is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions so that community input is centered in decision-making.
When: Wednesday, May 1st, 6-8pm
Where: National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St.
Click here to RSVP.
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Street Sweeping Started on April 1st, and will continue until November
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Your feedback is important to us. My office would like to learn more about your experiences and interactions with city departments. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding your interactions with city departments. Your responses will help us improve our services and identify gaps in service. Complete the survey at:
bit.ly/cityfeedback26.
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We are hiring 15 youth between 16-24 to work in our Ward office this summer! Apply by May 3rd at onesummerchicago.org, then email your name and application number to info@the26thward.org
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We are excited to inspire our young people to get involved in government and organize in the community. If you are a youth (12-24 years old) that resides in the 26th Ward and wants to have a say in how we spend infrastructure money and what type of policies I champion, please sign up for our youth council by applying at bit.ly/youth26.
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Connecting Neighborhoods:From Humboldt Park to Hermosa
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Calling cyclists in the ward to please join us on May 18th as we bike ride throughout the city. All levels of biking experience are welcome to join. We will be riding from 9am-2pm.
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ALSO's 29th Annual Walk For Peace
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Join our Youth for Peace walk on Saturday, May 25th at 2pm. All ages are welcomed. If you would like to organize your school, classroom or classmates, reach out to my office at info@the26thward.org.
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Survey of Bike Lanes on North Ave
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The City of Chicago is conducting a study to examine the effects of bike lanes on neighborhood commercial corridors. The goal of the study is to understand whether there are economic impacts of bike lanes, and what these impacts are for businesses and nearby residents.
Complete a public survey today to share your experience on North Ave between Central Park Ave and California Ave.
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The 26th Ward community-driven zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change must first complete a zoning intake form. Once their intake form has been reviewed they are invited to present their zoning request to the 26th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee and must answer additional questions posed by the committee. When applicable, the person requesting a zoning change may also be required to present their zoning request to the broader public during a community input meeting.
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We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties. You are invited to provide feed back at: the26thward.org/zoning.
- 1941 N. Sawyer Ave
- 4116 W. North Ave
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CCHR's Fair Housing Webinar
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In honor of Fair Housing Month, CCHR is hosting a webinar focused on housing. The Chicago Department of Housing, Legal Aid Chicago, and LUCHA will also be present. Please register for the event by clicking here.
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Community As A Campus will host a Classroom to Table event on May 4th at Roberto Clemente from 10AM-1PM. This is an opportunity to witness young people apply what they are learning to sustainable food systems. RSVP Here!
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Mark your calendars! Sabin Dual Language School just announced their first ever Sabin Block Party from 12PM-4PM. Sabin's Block Party will feature performances by the Jesse White Tumblers, live music, a poetry slam, crafts, games, and much more!
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Amanda Ramirez: DCASE Resident Artist
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Join me in celebrating one of our neighbors and local artists, Amanda Ramírez, on June 3rd at the Chicago Cultural Center. Amanda, who is a dancer, movement director and choreographer, has been selected to be one of the nine artists across Chicago to have a residency at the Cultural Center. This is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the incredible work that Amanda is creating. The event is completely free, so come out and support our neighbor.
For more information, please visit ChicagoCulturalCenter.org. If you are a dancemaker interested in the Dance Studio Residency, you can apply at Chicago.gov/DCASE
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Zero Landfill Material Giveaway
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Calling all artists, teachers, crafters and more; join Zerolandfill Chicago May 4th, from 10AM-1PM for a free material giveaway. Materials available include design and architectural samples like fabric, tile, laminate, vinyl, rubber, wall covering, glass, wood, binders, and more!
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Are you or someone you know in need of services that are culturally competent and LGBTQ+ affirming? ALMA can refer you to their direct service partners and other resources available in Chicago and beyond. Referrals include health services, housing, legal services and more!
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Life Impacters:Food Pantry
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LIF (Life Impacters Foundation), operates as a beacon of support and change on the vibrant greater west side of Chicago, nestled within Cook County, Illinois. LIF offers a comprehensive array of multi-social services aimed at uplifting the community.
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Northside Latin Progress Community Meeting
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Join the Northside Latin Progress for their next meeting at 2415 West Armitage on May 15th from 5:45 pm - 7:30 pm. Their meeting will focus on how to aid Chicago's new arrivals.
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The PRCC and Re-imagine are hosting an Art Therapy session on May 11th, from 1-3 pm at La Casita located at 2625 W. Division St.
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Are you ready for the start of summer? Wards365 is hosting Summer50 Fest on Saturday, May 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the United Center to make a plan for your kids and family members this summer!
Over 40 non-profit organizations and City of Chicago agencies will be set up at Summer50 Fest to showcase summer programming opportunities for youth and families including Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, My Chi My Future and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Other organizations will be on-site to promote job and employment opportunities for Chicago teens and college students including the DNC Host Committee, Hire360, trade unions and more. Summer50 Fest will also feature several educational institutions including University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago State University, Illinois Institute of Technology and City Colleges of Chicago.
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Free Home Energy Upgrades
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Each year, the Jumping Jack Program delights children across Chicago. This inflatable playground, provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is available for FREE and runs from Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, September 1, 2024. Please visit their website here for more information.
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A tween social club in the 26th ward is opening at the Nevermore Theater Space at North and Kimball. They will be offering a summer day camp for 9-13 year olds. For more information please contact Bethanie Omiecinski, at hello@sidequestsocial.club or call (312) 848-7901.
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ChiBlockBuilder applications now open.
ChiBlockBuilder is the City of Chicago’s application portal to encourage the purchase and redevelopment of City-owned vacant land in partnership with community stakeholders. Led by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), ChiBlockBuilder streamlines the purchase of City-owned properties across the South and West Sides and increases transparency about the land sales process.
Visit Chicago.gov/BlockBuilder for more information. Need assistance? Email info@chiblockbuilder.com or call 312.935.1030.
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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.
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14th Police District Council
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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. Please sign up at bit.ly/do14news for Councilor David Orlikoff's newsletter or email David.Orlikoff@cityofchicago.org with questions.
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Humboldt Condos Now Listed
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The Chicago Housing Trust has recently listed Six 2 bedrooms condos at 1508 N Harding near North and Pulaski. These condos are restricted to households making under 100% of the area median income.
Live in a beautifully renovated 100-year-old Chicago 6-flat with a huge yard, five minutes to Humboldt Park, a short bike ride to the 606/Bloomingdale Trail, and 2 blocks from the North and Pulaski bus lines.
Contact 1508nharding@gmail.com or call/text Denise Reyes at (773) 391-1960 for details. Click here to apply.
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Garbage and Recycling Reminders
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Sign up to receive your trash and recycling pickup schedule and reminders (holidays, recycling events, bulky item pickup) emailed to you by using Recycle by City. Severe weather and holidays can affect the collection schedule. In the event of a delay, please leave your carts out until they have been collected. For missed pickups, please call 311.
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Scholarship program for the 2024-2025 academic year. The CCLF will award over $200,000 scholarship dollars in the form of $5,000 scholarships to 40 qualified students from across Chicago. Scholars can apply online at ccclatinocaucus.org/about-scholarships. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:59pm. Eligibility:
- U.S. Citizenship is NOT required for this scholarship
- Students must be at least one-half Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial category; students may be of any race
- Applicants must be a resident of the City of Chicago
- Applicant must be a current high school senior graduating in 2024, OR a General Education Diploma (“GED”) certificate holder, OR an undergraduate student with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0
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Residential Electronics Recycling
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See the flyer for information on drop-off locations for electronics ranging from computers and TVs to printers and game consoles.
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Vaccine and Microchip Clinics
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Animal Care and Control is also offering Vaccine and Microchip Clinics for dogs now through July. See the dates, locations, and details above.
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Introductory Guide to City Services
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If you want to learn how to access city resources and take an active role in your community, you can download our Introductory Guide to City Services. The guide includes steps to submit an infrastructure request, host a community event, get immigration, re-entry or domestic violence support, find your elected officials, and engage with various city departments. It also provides information on how to access critical services.
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Restore, Reinvest, & Renew Grants Now Open
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Apply now for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (#R3) Program! This grant will help us continue providing services such as youth development and violence prevention. Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, and other community or neighborhood associations may apply for grants individually or in a collaborative with other groups. Click here to learn more. The deadline is April 30th.
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City Experiences is hosting multiple open houses to fill entry-level positions up to senior-level positions. If you're interested or have any questions feel free to email Veronica Diaz at veronica.diaz@cityexperiences.com.
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Erie Family Health Centers makes healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in our community, and they’re inviting people to join their mission-driven team. Check out these opportunities to work as a Medical Assistant or Patient Access Representative.
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Obama Foundation Career Opportunities
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School to Work Program for Young Adults
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Bridges is a program that assists young adults in Chicago with job readiness, work maturity skills, job search, interviewing skills, entry level job placement, retention, and follow‐up. For more information go to bridgestowork.org.
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Career Opportunities with the City
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- Chicago Department of Aviation (Compliance Division): Projects Administrator - $94k. Click here to learn more and apply.
- Department of Streets and Sanitation is accepting applications for the position(s) of Tree Trimmer(s) and Project Coordinator.
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New Program Connects Landlords and Vacant Apartments To Folks In Need
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Chicago Rents is a program that connects landlords to tenants through multiple housing subsidy programs, allowing property partners to receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support. Chicago Rents is a program that was created in response to COVID-19 to centralize property partner relationships across multiple housing programs. Through Chicago Rents, property partners are connected with Chicagoans in need of housing, filling unit vacancies and making a real difference in Chicago's neighborhoods. 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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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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