Dear Neighbors,
Last week, I had the honor of visiting the Chicago Women in Trades Center (CWIT) where we listened to a round table discussion on tradespeople on the front line and their fight for racial and gender equity. CWIT has been supporting, advocating, and training women in the Chicagoland area since 1981. I am excited to stand with CWIT as we demand increased equity in the workforce. In order to ensure equity in our city’s workforce, we must end the subminimum wage for tipped-workers in Chicago. One Fair Wage is a national coalition, campaign, and organization seeking to end all subminimum wages in the United States and increase the sustainability of wages and working conditions in the service sector. One Fair Wage policy would require all employers to pay the full minimum wage with fair, non-discriminatory tips on top, that would lift millions of tipped and subminimum wage workers nationally out of poverty. Last week, I accompanied several colleagues and Mayor Brandon Johnson in being a "server for an hour" while we stood in solidarity with servers across the city. I am honored to be a part of leading the efforts to end the subminimum wage here in Chicago.
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On Wednesday and Friday, my office and I provided lunch to over 275 Streets and Sanitation staff at the Medill and Northwest districts that service the 26th Ward. My office and I are grateful for all of the long hours and weekends being worked to make sure the 26th ward and the city are cleared of debris caused by the recent storms. Please continue to submit service requests directly to 311 for flood complaints or reach out to our office at 773-395-0143.
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On Friday evening, we facilitated our first community zoning meeting at the Wright College Humboldt Park. I want to thank every member of my Community Zoning Advisory Committee that is committed to the affordability and sustainability of the 26th Ward. I made a commitment to put in place community processes that are transparent and consistent, and we have worked every day to make that space possible. My office is now using a community-based zoning review process which centers community input on 26th Ward zoning and development matters in order to ensure transparency and equity. Our community-based zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change first complete a zoning intake form. Once their intake form has been reviewed, they will be invited to present their zoning request to the 26th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee and 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. Please send questions and feedback regarding zoning matters to Alexis Smyser De Leon at alexis@the26thward.org.
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Sunday morning, we were made aware of a shooting that happened near California Ave and Augusta Blvd. According to the Chicago Police Department, a 32 year old man was fatally shot. Our office is in communication with the 12th police district and members of the 26th Ward Public Safety Committee. My office is invested in the safety of every resident - we are working with business owners, violence prevention providers, community-based organizations, and our police district council members to provide resources and to prevent other acts of violence. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact my office at 773-395-0143 or the 12th Chicago Police District at 312-746-8396. All information provided can be anonymous.
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 a 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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The Honeycomb Network Fundraiser
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The Honeycomb Network is hosting a fundraiser this Wednesday 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." Click here to RSVP.
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26th Ward Housing Town Hall
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Save the date! The 26th Ward office will be hosting a Housing Town Hall on July 27th, from 5pm to 6:30pm. Stay tuned for information on the location and town hall details in next week's newsletter.
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Meal Request for Asylum seekers staying in the 14th District Lobby
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The 14th District Support Network is hoping to find ways for organizations, churches, and volunteers to step in to help feed people. If you are able to volunteer, your generosity is greatly appreciated. There are anywhere from 5-30 migrants staying in the station at any one time with a mix of families and solo travelers. Sign up here.
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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The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago's Office of Budget and Management invite you to help shape Chicago's 2024 Budget through a series of community engagement roundtables scheduled during July. You will be joined by representatives from the City's departments and sister agencies who are excited to hear directly from you and your priorities for making a Better, Stronger, Safer Chicago in a series of small group roundtable discussion.
Sign up to join the conversation most convenient for you. There will be meetings at Malcolm X College, Truman College and Kennedy King. For more information visit: http://chicago.gov/2024budget.
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Street Closure and No Parking Notices
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Department of Water Management Construction Notice
The Department of Water Management will install catch basins, manholes, and other drainage structures in the 26h Ward beginning the week of July 24, 2023, and it will take approximately two months to complete.
The limits of work are as follows:
- North Limit – W. Fullerton Ave.
- South Limit - W. North Ave.
- West Limit – N. Pulaski Ave.
- East Limit – N. California Ave.
You may notice manhole and catch basin cleaning trucks in your neighborhood. This work will extend the life of our water management structures by 30-50 years.
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Department of Transportation Construction Notice
The Chicago Department of Transportation willl be working on the reconstruction of the alley bounded by: W. Cortland St. - W. Moffat St. – N. Kedzie Ave. – N. Albany Ave. Residents will be notified directly approximately one (1) week before construction starts.
Due to construction, the following changes will occur:
• During construction, residential garbage pickup will be curbside and we ask that the homeowner relocate cans to the front of the property.
• There will be no access to the alley for approximately four (4) weeks depending on the weather conditions.
• Barricades will block all entrances to the alley.
• Homeowners are advised to seek alternative parking.
This project will be managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation. If you require any additional information regarding this project, please contact 312-722-6590.
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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.
Next week, the 26th Ward Office will host a special Ward Night on Tuesday, July 25th at Blackhawk Park (2318 N. Lavergne Ave) from 5-7pm. Due to this change in next week's Ward Night schedule, our hours of operation next week (July 24th - July 28th) are as follows:
Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 1 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday 1 pm - 5 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 3 pm.
Normal hours of operation will resume the following Monday, July 31st.
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: 7/25 and 7/31.
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The 26th ward office is currently located at 2511 W Division St. The office's regular 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.
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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 (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 by applying at bit.ly/youth26.
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14th District Public Safety Meetings
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Have concerns about police and public safety?
Come share your experience with the 14th Police District Council on
Saturday, August 5th from 1-2:30pm at the Logan Square Library (3030 W Fullerton) with guest speaker Sharlyn Grace, Sr. Policy at Public
Defender's office, explaining the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Give your public comments at these meetings or by emailing it along with your district (14) to: Javon.Lewis-Brown@cityofchicago.org.
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The Chicago Public Schools Talent Office is hosting its monthly CPS Job Fair for paraprofessional positions. They will continue to host these community job fairs monthly throughout the city at various locations on the third Thursday of every month. They want to encourage members of the community to apply for positions within CPS.
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Garfield Park Gymnasium, 2651 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60612
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Humboldt Park Advisory Council Election
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The Humboldt Park Advisory Council is re-activating and holding an election on August 10th, 2023 at 6:00pm, if you are interested in nominating yourself for one of the leadership positions you must send an email to LCA@chicagoparkdistrict.com by August 8th, 2023. To become a member of the advisory council please submit a membership form to the same email address listed above. This meeting is open to the public.
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Help collect air temperature in your neighborhood by volunteering for up to three 1-hour shifts. For each shift, volunteers will receive $35.
Volunteers will be contacted in June to be trained on the campaign. On average, the hottest days of the year occur sometime around mid-July but can occur later in the month. Click here to sign up.
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Diabetes Management Workshop
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Are you living with diabetes? If so, you know how important it is to have the right information and support to manage your condition. The Humboldt Park Health Comprehensive Diabetes Center offers diabetes education classes that can help you learn everything you need to know about managing your diabetes, from diet and exercise to medication and blood sugar monitoring. Join them for a 4 week educational workshop series and learn the ins out outs of managing your diabetes. Every Wednesday at 11:00 am. Register by calling (773) 292.8309.
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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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Erie Health Centers Now Hiring
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At Erie Family Health Centers, advance your career while working alongside mission-driven and committed professionals that make a difference. For more information on the types of positions available go to erie.health/careers.
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