In this newsletter
Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources.
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Dear Neighbors,
Last week I met with the Monarch Club - a collective group of business owners that make up our California business corridor between Division and Chicago Ave. Supporting business owners and listening to their concerns is important to my office and the economic future of our ward. This corridor is filled with amazing businesses that provide everything from childcare, a great haircut, tasty cocktail, and a life changing facial. Support your local business. If you are a business owner in the 26th Ward and would like a meeting or for me to visit email info@the26thward.org.
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We have transformative community based organizations in the ward that show up everyday for our young people, families, elders and work to meet their needs. Last week I had the privilege of meeting with the leadership of La Casa Norte and touring their facility. La Casa Norte follows a Housing First model. They offer a continuum of housing resources and services to unaccompanied youth and families from Chicago’s West and South Sides who experience or are at risk of homelessness. Their housing model proves to be a model for how we confront poverty and homelessness. I look forward to being in partnership with La Casa Norte to continue to service the needs of residents.
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Every month, I meet with my Public Safety Committee that is made up of violence prevention and intervention organizations, residents, and community leaders. This committee serves as a sounding board and reflection space for how we build a better and safer community. Our committee is working to plan a public safety town hall where we listen to the concerns of all residents in the 26th Ward so that we can develop strategies to ensure safety for our residents. Stay tuned for more information.
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Last week I joined Loretto Hospital workers at the pickett line to demand that the administration properly staff the hospital, pay their workers better wages, and treat the staff with dignity and respect. The patients of Loretto Hospital deserve the best treatment and in order to accomplish this Loretto Hospital must ensure they are investing in their frontline workers. I stand in solidarity with the staff of Loretto Hospital as they stand at the pickett line on their 10th day on strike.
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I invite every resident to our 26th Ward Back to School Fair on August 16th at North Grand High School. We will be giving out over 800 backpacks with supplies, providing vaccines, dental exams, free haircuts, and so much more. Mark your calendars!
In partnership,
Your 26th Ward Alderperson, Jessie Fuentes
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26th Ward Back to School Fair
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Join us for our first 26th Ward Back to School Fair next Wednesday, August 16th from 3-5pm at North Grand High School (4338 W Wabansia Ave).
We will be providing free: Backpacks • School Supplies • Hair cuts • Food & drinks • Games • Resources and more!
Hosted by 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes and State Representative Lilian Jiménez.
Questions? Contact us at info@the26thward.org or (773)-395-0143.
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Hispanic Heritage Celebration
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San Lucas Church is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Friday, September 8th from 9am to 2pm at San Lucas UCC (2914 W. North Ave). They will have hair cuts, music, food, community information, wellness on wheels and more.
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Join Palenque LSNA and partners this Saturday, 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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MCA Opening Celebration: Entre Horizontes
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Come celebrate the opening of the "entre horizontes" exhibition on Saturday August 19th where special lunch items, and a performance, all inspired by the art and artists on view, will be provided. "Entre Horizontes: Art and Activism Between Chicago and Puerto Rico" is an interdisciplinary exhibition that seeks to recognize and critically examine the affinities between the social justice movements and the artistic genealogies of the Puerto Rican diaspora between Chicago and Puerto Rico from the 1960s to the present.
Click here for more info and tickets. For free tickets, email my office at info@the26thward.org.
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Ride for Peace with BUILD
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Join BUILD as they Ride for Peace through Chicago’s West Side! Happening Saturday, August 19, starting at 10 AM. DETAILS: Attendees will meet at Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park at 10 AM and begin the ride at 11 AM, the ride will cover Humboldt Park and West/East Garfield areas. There will be hip hop music, refreshments, snacks, and activities at the end of the bike ride. Register at https://bit.ly/3Knri0h.
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Street Closure and No Parking Notices
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CHICAGO UNION STATION CANAL STREET CONSTRUCTION —Effective August 7th, through Fall 2024
The Chicago Department of Transportation is replacing the structure under South Canal Street in an 18-month project. It will temporarily eliminate Union Station access by all vehicles between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard. Sidewalks along Canal Street will also be partially blocked. For more information on the project please visit the City of Chicago project website www.CDOTCanalProjects.com. Please allow extra time getting in and around the station and expect significant traffic congestion during this project. Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.
New Primary Access Point at 255 South Clinton Street
A new mid-block entrance is now open on South Clinton Street as seen here, between Adams and Jackson and across from West Quincy Street. It is compliant with disability access laws and leads directly into the station’s Great Hall and Train Concourses. Entrances on the corners of Clinton with Adams and Jackson continue to lead to the Great Hall and trains.
Please note that the CTA Clinton blue line station is also temporarily closed.
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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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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, on Monday August 24th, Ward Night will be hosted at Hermosa Park.
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.
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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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Have concerns about police and public safety?
Come share your experience with the 14th Police District Council on
Saturday, September 2nd from 1-2:30pm at the Humboldt Park Library (1605 N Troy) – with guest speaker Jose Pizarro, Director of Safe Streets for ALSO (Alliance of Local Service Organizations) on their successful restorative justice approach to community violence prevention in Humboldt Park.
Give your public comments at these meetings or by emailing it along with your district (14) to: David.Orlikoff@cityofchicago.org
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Wednesday, August 16th join the 25th Police District Council for the monthly public meeting of the 12th District Council from 6:30pm @ Union Park. Learn about how our communities can work together to achieve police accountability and community safety in our district, and participate in the process!
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Back to School Birth Certificate Days
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With the first day of school fast approaching, the Cook County Clerk’s Office will be offering extended weekend hours on select Saturdays in August for families seeking to obtain birth certificates to complete their child’s registration for school, sports, extracurricular activities, etc.
Back-to-School Birth Certificate Days will take place on Saturday, August 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clerk’s Office locations in Markham, Maywood, and downtown Chicago. Click here for more information.
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Our Secretary of State is making changes at the DMV that will help save you time and energy. You no longer have to wait in long lines. Starting Sep 1, 2023, you can make an appointment at ilsos.gov or by calling 844-817-4649.
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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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Apply: CTA Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee
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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced it is seeking new applicants to join the agency’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Committee. The committee, comprised of up to 12 members from across the CTA service area of Chicago and 35 suburbs, is an important part of CTA’s longstanding and industry-leading commitment to accessibility.
Applications for these committee positions are available on the website here, or by contacting Irma Gomez-Fierro, Manager of ADA Compliance Programs, at igomez-fierro@transitchicago.com or (773) 449-8389. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, September 1, 2023.
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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. The four offices being voted on are President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. 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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Restore the Bathroom in Humboldt Park
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My office, LUCHA, and several other companies are sponsoring a construction hiring fair for the Encuentro Square Project on August 11th at 10am at Mcauliffe Elementary School (1841 N Springfield).
On site construction opportunities are available and companies are looking to fill them with residents from the community. Come out to apply and learn more about open positions. Residents will also learn about the training programs offered by Revolution Workshop. Click here to register: bit.ly/EncuentroHiringFair.
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Chicago Public Schools is hosting a CPS Job Fair. Members of the community are encouraged to apply for positions within CPS.
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2023
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: St. Sabina - McMahon Hall, 1210 West 78th Place, Chicago, IL 60620
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Bus Operator and Bus Mechanic Career Fair
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Jobs at the Chicago Park District
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The Chicago Park District is looking for monthly attendants, physical instructors, and attendants to join their team. If you want to keep our parks clean, beautiful, and safe, you are encouraged to apply at https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/jobs.
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Community Service Scholarships
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The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is now accepting applications for their 2023 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship Program.
The CSBG scholarship program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents attending post-secondary education programs during the fall semester of 2023 and has minimum income requirements to meet the eligibility criteria. Click here to apply.
Applications must be received by DFSS via their web-based Scholarship Application Platform on Friday, August 25, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.
DFSS will host webinars on August 2nd and August 9th at 10:00 a.m. To register for a webinar, applicants should email their choice of date and time to: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org.
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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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