To my 26th Ward neighbors,
For over 150 years, Juneteenth has been celebrated as the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. In 2021, it became a federal holiday. Today, we celebrate Juneteenth alongside our Black sisters and brothers. Happy Juneteenth!
Last week I attended my first Housing and Real Estate Committee meeting. As we plan for the next four years, I am committed to bringing more affordability, home ownership opportunities, and fighting for housing as a right in the city of Chicago. I will utilize my position in each committee to ensure that we are working in the best interest of every resident in the 26th Ward.
On Wednesday, June 14th, I had the privilege of touring Iglesia Emanuel alongside State Representative Lilian Jiménez. We learned about the culturally congruent and robust programming that the church provides to the Belmont Cragin community. I am honored to be the elected representative of this church and excited to be in partnership as we seek to build a better and safer Belmont Cragin. In the spirit of being a listener, I joined the Belmont Cragin Sloth Run to walk with residents and listen to the concerns they believe can be addressed by the 26th Ward office. We culminated our walk with dinner at La Paz Restaurant where we shared a meal and engaged in conversation around the communities we all seek to build.
On Friday, June 16th I met with the Department of Planning, Department of Housing, and toured the 26th Ward with the Department of Transportation. I shared my vision for aesthetically pleasing development, affordable housing, protected bike lanes, and safe streets with each commissioner. We are confident that our vision, partnerships, and hard work will materialize great projects for our 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. If you would like to set up an appointment, please send an email to info@the26thward.org to get signed up for our Ward Nights. 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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Taste of Chicago Humboldt Park (11am–9pm) featuring Chicago House Music Festival brings a diverse array of local food from more than 20 Chicago food vendors to the beautiful Humboldt Park Boathouse. Attendees will enjoy a stellar lineup of House talent on the main stage, including a House Music workout to kick off the day. Admission is FREE!
For more information visit: http://chicagohousemusicfestival.us/
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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 form at www.bit.ly/zoning26. The deadline to apply is this Friday, June 23rd.
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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: 6/26, 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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The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is organizing the 22nd edition of its signature festival called BARRIO ARTS FEST! This yearly summer event brings together a selection of local artists, merchants, craft makers, food vendors, dancers, and music performers and family workshop activities for the community to enjoy.
Join in celebrating the journey of the Museum, Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, and our vibrant community. Free to the public!
Festival details: Saturday, July 09, 2022 10 am-6 pm and Sunday, July 10, 2022 11 am-5 pm at the NMPRAC, 3015 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622.
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Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards
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The Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA), Chicago’s only citywide gardening awards program, returns for its 7th year in 2023. Once again, CEGA judges will visit city gardens, this year with an increased emphasis on sustainability and earth-friendly practices.
CEGA is open to Chicago residents. Only one entry per garden will be accepted, participation is free.
Entry deadline: June 30
Schedule: Judging begins in July, winners notified late summer, awards on September 24 at Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery on Chicago’s South Side.
To enter online visit: https://chicagogardeningawards.org/entry-form/
Questions: Send an email to chicagogardeningawards@gmailcom.
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Concert at Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel
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Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel is hosting a free concert on Saturday, July 8th from noon to 3pm in their back parking lot located at 5016 W Armitage ave. There will be live music, a toy drive, a raffle, vendors, and City Key Chicago will be on site providing city key cards.
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New life is hosting a free Community Bash this Friday, June 23rd from 4pm to 7pm at the Monticello Block Club located at 1100 N. Monticello. This event will feature free food, community resources, youth activities, games, ponies, bouncy houses, music, and a neighborhood basketball tournament for teenagers.
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iMentor Chicago supports first generation CPS high school students on their pathways toward economic mobility for themselves and their families. Volunteer mentors are matched with one mentee, building a personal and professional relationship, while also benefiting from Mentor's vast community of 1,200+ volunteers throughout the city and across all career industries.
Learn more and volunteer at: mentor.com/volunteer.
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Comed is offering a summer academy for High School juniors and seniors in partnership with the YMCA. It’s a great opportunity to keep busy this summer and learn a valuable skill set for the future. The program meets 3 times a week over 3 weeks at the YMCA's South Side location, located at 6330 S Stony Island Avenue and begins July 10th. Students who complete the program will receive a stipend.
The program is accepting applications through June 24; students can visit the following link to apply: ComEd.com/CareerTraining.
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Summer Jobs at the Chicago Park District
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The Chicago Park District is still looking for seasonal Junior laborers 16+ and Seasonal attendant 18+. This is a great opportunity for those who want to work outside in nature while gaining experience in landscape maintenance. Apply now at chicagoparkdistrict.com/summer-jobs
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Casa Central is hiring for a diverse range of roles. For consideration, send your resume to hr@casacentral.org or visit casacentral.org/careers. I will be partnering with Casa Central to host an interview pop-up at my office (2511 W Division St.) on Tuesday, July 11th, stay tuned for more details soon!
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Cook County Government Facilities Management is hosting a hiring fair on Monday, June 26th from 9am to noon and from 2pm to 5pm at Washington, on the 22nd floor. The fair is geared towards encouraging individuals that live in Cook County to pursue a career opportunity with Cook County Government. Interested individuals do not have to pre-register to attend. Applicants will be seen on a first come first served basis. They must bring with an ID to apply in person. Scan the QR codes above for full job descriptions.
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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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