To my 26th Ward neighbors,
The 26th Ward is a beautiful, diverse and vibrant ward. We had a week full of celebrations and festivities. This past week my office met with the Intergovernmental Affairs Office of CPS to discuss capital investments for our neighborhood schools and the programming that our young people deserve. I stand ready to be an advocate for our schools, our families, and our students. This meeting was the beginning of a process that will ensure accountability meets action.
On Wednesday evening, I had the honor of attending the Northwest Center Celebrate Home Gala as they celebrated 20 years of servicing the Belmont Cragin community. When community based organizations, organizers, and elected officials partner in their vision for developing a more just world anything is possible, and I am excited to have Northwest Center as a partner in this work.
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On Thursday, we kicked off Fiesta Patronales in Humboldt Park; a festival where artists, musicians, dancers, and chefs show our community the best of Puerto Rican culture. For the first time in history the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, declared a state of emergency in the United States for the LGBTQIA+ community. The harm that is being committed against our LGBTQIA+ siblings across the country is harmful and we should not stand for it. There have been over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced this year alone, of which more that 75 have been signed into law. So when I was asked to keynote Vida/SIDA’s annual coronation of the King and Queen of the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade, I jumped at the chance.
The Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade is the only parade outside of the pride parade that crowns a transgender woman to lead our parade. I am so proud of this fact. I feel lucky to represent a community that waves the pride flag as high as we wave the Puerto Rican Flag at the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade.
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On Saturday, June 10th, I stood as one of the Grand Marshals of the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade. It was an honor to stand with many of my elected colleagues as we walked with the Puerto Rican Community in celebration of our culture, history, and place making. I am confident that those who attended this year’s parade enjoyed as much if not more than I did.
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Next week I will be participating in the Sloth Run of Belmont Cragin. I invite all of our Belmont Cragin neighbors to join me (details below). Let's walk and talk about the future of the 26th Ward.
My office is committed to serving every resident and meeting them where they are. I am honored to represent this ward everyday and I am committed to doing the work. Share our newsletter with a friend and ask them to sign up for our weekly updates and news at www.the26thward.org.
In partnership,
Your 26th Ward Alderperson, Jessie Fuentes
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Summer programs support students' continued learning, growth, and achievement over summer break. Browse our program catalog below and use our program search to find opportunities near you.
Click here to find detailed information about summer programs on CPS's searchable map where you can search by program type, location, grade level and more.
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Serve on the 26th Ward Advisory Zoning Committee
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Do you want to have a say on what gets built in your neighborhood? Alderperson Jessie Fuentes is creating a new 26th Ward Advisory Zoning Committee which will meet regularly to review zoning requests and provide a diverse range of perspectives.
Those interested in serving on the 26th Ward Advisory Zoning Committee should submit the interest at www.bit.ly/zoning26.
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Ward nights are an opportunity to meet with Alderperson Fuentes to talk to her about any local or city issues. Ward nights will take place every Monday from 5pm - 7pm. Ward night meetings will be by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.
If you’d like to meet with Alderperson Fuentes during ward night, please call or email the ward office at 773-395-0143 or info@the26thward.org. The ward night schedule for the next few weeks is as follows: 6/12, 6/26, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24 and 7/31.
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The 26th ward office (currently located at 2511 W Division St). The office's hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday 1 pm - 7 pm
- Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Wednesday 1 pm - 5 pm
- Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
- Friday 9 am - 3 pm
We are currently in the midst of configuring a voicemail system. As we await its activation, kindly direct any requests or inquiries outside of office hours to info@the26thward.org, or feel free to reach out to the office once more at your convenience at (773)395-0143.
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Welcome our new 26th Ward Superintendent!
Hugo Samayoa was born at Norwegian American Hospital, now Humboldt Park Health, and raised in Logan Square. Hugo has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Wilbur Wright College and is a member of the United States Army Reserve with two deployments. He loves his hometown, and as the 26th Ward Superintendent, he plans to serve his community and city as much as he served his country all around the world.
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Free Family Event at Blackhawk Park
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On Thursday, June 29th Blackhawk Park is hosting a free family event from 5-7pm. "Nature Oasis" is an event that will have music, nature exploration, and will give children with the opportunity to meet live animals. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a picnic dinner.
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The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is providing kids tennis programming at Humboldt Park this summer. You can find more information about all the program by clicking here.
Tennis 101 for Kids in Humboldt Park will take place from June 26 to June 30 every day from 3:00 - 4:30pm.
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The Sloths Run Club is back and their first outing of 2023 on Wednesday, June 14 at 6pm, starting at Armitage and Leclaire. The run will be joined by 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.
Each walk/run is between 15-25 minutes in length. You can walk it or run it, and we always go to a local restaurant after to socialize. Anyone can join the runs and they are free. You can walk it and you can bring your children or your leashed dogs.
For more information follow @Slothsrunclub on instagram.
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Wednesday Filming Notice: 1854 N Richmond Ave
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DESIRE LINES LLC will be filming scenes for a TV show Desire Lines in your neighborhood on: Wednesday June 14th, 2023.
In order to park essential vehicles and equipment, streets in the area will be Posted as a NO PARKING/TOW ZONE during the following dates and times:
- 7AM TO 4PM WEDNESDAY JUNE 14TH 2023
If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, please contact the
Location Manager, Christopher Scott at 773.983.0190.
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14th District Council Public Safety Meetings
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Improve safety, equity, and justice in your community with your new 14th District Council!
Through the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the DCs have power over CPD and the city's broader approach to public safety thru community violence prevention.
Join the conversations that will help shape policy from the bottom up at their new community committee meeting series. Work on Alternative Responses and Safety Solutions this Monday the 12th from 6-7pm at Humboldt Library.
Their public meeting this month will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 1-2:30pm at the Logan Square Library (3030 W Fullerton) and will feature guest speaker Olan from CAARPR explaining How We Got Here: the History of Community Control Over Police
The 14th district stretches from Division up to Belmont, and Central Park to Elston/the river. The station is at Shakespeare and California.
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On June 21st from 5-7pm, Gallery 1701 at the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology (CHICAT) is hosting the opening exhibition of “Abre Camino”, by Rio Goodwin Perez. Goodwin Perez is a self-taught queer Puerto Rican multi-disciplinary artist raised in Tennessee. “Abre Camino” is Goodwin Perez’ first solo exhibition, but their work has been shown both nationally and internationally. Goodwin Perez will also be hosting an artist talk and mask making workshop at CHICAT on June 30th from 12-3pm.
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The San Juan 5K and 5K Youth race will take place on Sunday, June 18th on Division Street between Western Avenue and California. Experience the excitement of running (or walking) through Chicago's beautiful Humboldt Park with family, friends and your community. The race begins in front of the 60 foot Puerto Rican Flag Landmark. You'll cross into our "Parranda" finish line as the sounds of tropical rhythms greet you and lead you into refreshing drinks & snacks con mucho sabor. Click here to register.
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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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The City of Chicago is currently accepting donations through an Amazon Wishlist set up in partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino. Items purchased through this wish list are directly donated to all City new arrival shelters. To donate, visit: chi.gov/WishList.
Our 26th Ward office (located at 2511 W Division St.) is also accepting donations in direct response to asylum seeker's needs in the ward. Donations needed this week include:
- Sleeping pads
- Phones
- Sim cards
- Suitcases
- Bikes and Ventra cards.
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