In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources
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Dear Neighbors,
Mitchell Elementary’s Social Studies teacher Mr. Ramin invited my office to listen to and provide feedback on his 8th grade’s capstone project on community safety. Many of the scholars remembered me as their Alder, which means a lot. My Chief of Staff Juanita García and Legislative Aide Marie Snyder represented my office, and they were able to connect with and understand the process each student underwent. Visits with schools are so inspiring, especially when young people use root cause analysis. If you are a leader of a school, we would love to visit! Special shoutout to Youth Council member Cecely for suggesting we participate - your group’s project on COPA was truly transformative!
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Community As A Campus (CAAC) hosted their inaugural Classroom to Table event at Roberto Clemente Community Academy on Saturday, showcasing the ingenuity, brilliance, and profound commitment to urban agriculture within community schools. Through a partnership with BTEC, CAAC facilitated the distribution of numerous hydroponic units across several community schools, each demonstrating unique approaches to engaging with urban agriculture. At Yates, herbs cultivated in hydroponic units are transformed into healing balms infused with carrier oils. West Park has established an outdoor classroom accommodating 30 students, dedicated to exploring various aspects of nature. Meanwhile, at Moos, the garden coordinator successfully negotiated the use of a city lot, transforming it into a flourishing garden with over 10 beds. We applaud CAAC, BTEC, and the educators spearheading these initiatives, nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards equipped with the skills to cultivate their own food and harmoniously coexist with nature.
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On Tuesday, my office held a community meeting with CDOT to discuss the resurfacing of Division Street between California and Grand that will bring transportation improvements to the 26th Ward. During our community meeting, CDOT’s team and I came together to unveil the proposed changes along Division Street to allow community members from all backgrounds to provide feedback that will be incorporated into CDOT’s final site plans. Special thank you to Dave Smith the Complete Streets Director with CDOT for engaging with residents of the 26th ward.
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A special thank you to Principal Salgado at Lloyd Elementary for inviting me to partake in their Dia del Niño celebration. By celebrating young people, we not only uplift their spirits but also inspire them to become active participants in shaping a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
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Please join us at a few community events we have coming up. I have a Coffee with the Alderperson scheduled on Saturday, May 11 at La Paz restaurant from 10am-12pm. On Saturday, May 18th, my office will co-host a Bike Ride for Peace with 25th District Councilor Saúl Arrellano. All experiences are welcome. We will meet at the Humboldt Park Boathouse at 9am.
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Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office
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Coffee With The Alderperson
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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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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-12pm.
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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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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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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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ChiArts: Freshman and Sophomore Curtain Call
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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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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 5:45pm - 7:30pm. Their meeting will focus on how to aid Chicago's new arrivals.
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ChiArts: Junior Curtain Call
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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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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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LGBTQ+ Youth Art Competition
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Calling all local artist! Submit your art work for a chance to have your art work displayed at the Cook County Board of Commissioner's meeting in June.
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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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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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Chicago Park Distict: May in Motion
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ChiArts has announced their summer camp for 6-8th graders from July 8th - 26th. For more information regarding their summer camp, please email summercamp@chiarts.org.
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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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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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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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Are you a West Side business looking to find opportunities to work with hospitals? Join West Side United for a Vendors event on Tuesday, May 7 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. to learn more.
This event will provide a chance for West Side businesses to meet WSU's local procurement partners and learn about their vendor registration processes and potential upcoming purchasing priorities.
What: West Side United Local Vendor Event
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: The Hatchery | 135 N Kedzie, Chicago, IL
Register here:
https://forms.gle/ZPSoNDuoUSvpC5iz8
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The Chicago Public Schools Talent Office is hosting the monthly CPS Job Paraprofessional Fair on Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 10:00am - 1:00pm at the Chicago Teachers Union, 1901 West Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612.
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Hospitality Career Opportunities
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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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Interested in joining BUILD's team? Please visit: https://recruiting.paylocity.com
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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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The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will host its third annual Airport Expo and Job Fair on Thursday, May 16 at the UIC Forum. The expo will connect hundreds of job seekers, contractors, and small business owners with employment and procurement opportunities available both within the department and Midway and O’Hare International Airports.
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- Chicago Department of Public Health: The Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement Program (CARE) seeks to ensure that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use overdose are assisted by teams of behavioral health professionals with experience, skills, and resources to address their clients' needs.
- To apply to any of the CARE roles please direct applicants to chi.gov/CDPHjobs where you will find three current job openings for CARE:
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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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