To my 26th Ward neighbors,
This past week I attended my first Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards where we passed the Historical Landmark designation for the Warehouse located at 206 S Jefferson St. The Warehouse was where DJ Frankie Knuckles birthed house music, providing residents in Chicago with a space to dance, belong and safely express themselves. As we celebrate house music, it was my honor to host the Taste of Chicago in Humboldt Park and the House Music Festival during pride month.
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The genre of music that accepted everyone for who they are and who they choose to love was a great way to go into pride Sunday. Sunday morning I joined Equality Illinois for their pre-pride reception along with many colleagues from city council, the county, the general assembly, and the US House of Representatives and Senate. The rain could not stop Chicago from celebrating love and pride. We walked over 2.5 miles celebrating, dancing, singing and chanting. The LGBTQI community is deserving of a state that lives up to its sanctuary status, that paves the way for the rest of the country and seeks to build a work beyond tolerance, rather a world that centers acceptance and love for all of our fellow human beings.
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This week we will have seven young people begin their summer jobs at our office. We are excited to inspire our young people to get involved in government and organize in the community. They will join our Youth Council where we will begin our Participatory Budgeting process for the 26th ward. If you are a youth (15-24 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.
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My office is committed to serving every resident and meeting them where they are. 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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Casa Central Job Interview Pop-Up Event
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Casa Central is hiring for a range of positions and my office is partnering with them to host a Job Interview and Application Pop-up at my office on Tuesday July 11th from 10am-2pm. At this event you can apply for jobs and interview on the spot. Casa Central will have representatives present to speak with candidates who are interested. You are encouraged to bring a resume, but they are not required.
For more information visit casacentral.org/careers.
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Community Clean Up this Saturday
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Join your neighbors for a Community Clean Up Day in the area around Armitage and Kostner this Saturday, July 1st at 11am, hosted by 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.
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The Wall Productions will be filming scenes for a commercial titled “Home Chef” in your neighborhood on Tuesday, June 27th - Thursday, June 29th 2023 from 5AM - 8PM. In order to park essential vehicles and equipment, streets in your area will be posted as a NO PARKING/TOW ZONE on the East side of Sacramento Ave from 1111 to 1141 Sacramento Ave. If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, please contact the location manager, Sergio Castro, at 773-310-361.
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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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Reflections from our Summer Interns
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"During my first two weeks interning at the 26th Ward office, I got a chance to see a lot of the routine municipal needs of a community. A lot of neighbors come in asking for sales permits for yard sales or "no parking" signs when they're moving, often expecting that they have to pay for them, and they are surprised to learn we provide them for free. What I have discovered is that a lot of people come in simply seeking information, whether that be on how to do things or why a certain thing is being done. There seems to be a high desire to be informed throughout this community and I'm grateful I get the opportunity to serve and share important information this summer.
— Xavier
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Small Business Grant Deadline
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The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) has opened applications for the Division/Homan TIF district. If you own a small business in the area outlined on this map, you could be eligible for a commercial business grant!
Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by June 30th.
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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!
- When — Saturday, July 09, 2022 10 am -6 pm,
Sunday, July 10, 2022 11 am - 5 pm
- Where — NMPRAC, 3015 W. Division St.
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Learn How to Use the 311 App
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As your Alderperson, I am committed to ensuring the well-being and improvement of our community. To help achieve this goal, I would like to introduce you to the CHI 311 app and website, a valuable resource that empowers you to report non-emergency issues directly to the City of Chicago. Whether it's a pothole, graffiti, or a broken streetlight, CHI 311 allows you to play an active role in maintaining and enhancing our neighborhood.
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to use the 311 website.
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Honeycomb Network Fundraiser
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The Honeycomb Network is hosting a fundraiser to sustain their beautiful community space and the services they provide. The fundraiser, "The Propolis Plan" will be held on July 19th from 6-8pm at the Honeycomb Network (2659 W Division St). Delicious foods, herbal teas, live performances, and other goodies.
"In nature, bees create a substance called propolis as a way to seal and strengthen their hive. In this same way, we are calling on the help of our community to assist us in creating our rendition of propolis, to protect + sustain our important space as we are confronted by possible displacement.
This event is co-hosted by Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward."
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Financial Empowerment Summit & Career Fair
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On Thursday and Friday, October 5 and 6, 2023, the Office of the Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is hosting its 3rd Annual Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Summit & Career Fair. This multi-day event will provide Chicagoans from every corner of our great city with the tools they need to start down their road to individual wealth. It will take place at UIC Forum, 1213 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.
For more information, please visit chicagocitytreasurer.com/bwtt.
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Humboldt Park Advisory Council Re-Activation
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The Humboldt Park Advisory Council is re-activating and hosting it's first meeting of the year on Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 6pm. The meeting will be held at the Humboldt Park Boathouse (1301 N. Humboldt Park Dr). This meeting is open to the public.
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Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults
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The State of Illinois announced that on July 1, 2023 enrollment for Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults ages 42-64 will be frozen and copays will increase. We are urging everyone who is 42+ years old and qualifies to apply at abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/. Enrollment will close on July 1, 2023.
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Restore the Bathroom in Humboldt Park
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Join Palenque LSNA and partners on August 12, 2023 from 10-4pm on Armitage and Keeler Ave for a one day food festival featuring all your Latine favorites including but not limited to: tamales, arepas, empanadas and pupusas!
There will be over 30 food vendors serving authentic and delicious home cooked food from all over Latin America. Try Honduran tamales, Colombian and Venezuelan Arepas, Guatemalan chuchitos and Mexican corundas. Click here for more info: https://fb.me/e/1pMHJh8aq
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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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