In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources.
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Dear Neighbors,
Last week was a testament to the vibrancy and dynamism of our community, as well as a stark reminder of the challenges we face. From the early morning meetings with constituents to the late-night deliberations in council chambers, our week as public servants is an ever-evolving journey of dedication and service.
I was honored to attend NEIU’s Angelina Pedroso Center homecoming. The poetry read by students coupled with the audience’s brilliant questions reminded me that my roots at NEIU are strong. This center was one of my first legislative and infrastructural wins as a student organizer, and I am so proud that Director DeWitt Scott, Associate Director Valentina Gamboa-Turner, and Dr. Dureene Wheeler are continuing to provide love and support for historically underserved students.
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During Thursday’s DFSS Budget Hearing, I was able to inquire about DFSS’s commitment to the Peace Book, and I am excited to report that Commissioner Knazze is committed to including year round peacekeeper youth employment jobs. We look forward to meeting with her team to plan this investment. Additionally, I was able to ask about 311 call data regarding shelter placement, collaboration and information sharing across divisions, and violence survivor supports. To view DFSS’ answers to all of my questions, rewatch the hearing here.
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I’d also like to give a big thank you to Black Men United and ALSO for sponsoring a community giveaway on Saturday. My team was able to connect with constituents, hand out dog signs to neighbors and take service requests. If you’re interested in having your own dog signs, feel free to stop by our office during office hours.
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The 26th Ward Youth Council is well underway in our participatory budgeting process! We are currently working on Phase 2: Project Development. Check out their preliminary plans for a public space for teens. Included are bird feeders, circular tables, ping pong tables, and a community fridge. If you or young people in your life are interested in participating in Youth Council, visit bit.ly/youth26 and join us on Monday, November 13 at 4:30pm at the Ward office. Special thanks to Northwestern University journalism students Aja, Hailey, and Layla for visiting!
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It is important for me to be able to support joyful experiences for the young people of the 26th Ward. This week my office will be sponsoring a few Halloween events. Mozart Park will have a trunk or treat this Saturday, we will be celebrating Halloween on Paseo Boricua for the annual Haunted Paseo festivities, and Hermosa Park will be celebrating Día de los Muertos. Please continue to scroll below for more details.
I am deeply committed to the well-being and progress of our community, and it is this commitment that drives me to work tirelessly, addressing the diverse needs and concerns of our constituents. 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.
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Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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Pumpkin Patch at Mozart Park
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Join us this Saturday, October 28th at Mozart Park (Armitage and Avers) for a Pumpkin Patch between 1 and 4pm. Pumpkins, food, music, candy, and more!
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Day of the Dead Pumpkin Decorating Contest
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Participate in a Day of the Dead Pumpkin Decorating Contest on November 1st at Hermosa Park at 4:30pm. Kids can swing by the park to pick up a pumpkin starting today — provided by my office!
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Join us for a Housing and Health Expo at the McCormick YMCA on Saturday, November 18, 2023! We are excited to work together to provide the community with essential resources and services that will assist first-time homebuyers, those looking for affordable housing, rental and mortgage assistance, financial education, and small landlord workshops! We will also have vendors assisting with medical insurance questions and applications, as well as a health truck providing free health screenings and flu vaccines. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/48ZlFQu
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We are excited to announce the new 26th Ward Ambassadors program to build stronger connections with neighbors & spread the word about important resources. Join a community of neighbors ready to take action, attend educational workshops, and more. If you're interested in signing up, call our Ward Office at 773-395-0143 and ask for Juanita.
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The Cook County Board of Review is now open for pre-filing tax appeals for West Chicago and Jefferson Townships. To enter a tax appeal, visit the Cook County Board of Review's Appeals Portal at http://appeals.cookcountyboardofreview.com. Please note that while the exemption application deadline to apply has passed, if you believe you qualify for an exemption you can file a certificate of error after you receive your second bill in November. If your certificate of error is approved, you will receive a refund check. Missing exemptions? Have questions? Contact us at 773-395-0143.
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office
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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.
*Ward Night: Monday's 5 pm - 7 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 take place every Monday from 5pm - 7pm. Ward night meetings will be by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.
On Monday, October 30th we will be hosting a Ward Night Pop-up at Iglesia Emanuel from 5pm to 7pm.
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 (12-24 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. Join our next Youth Council Meeting on Monday, November 13th from 4:30pm to 6pm.
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Winter Supplies Needed for Asylum Seekers
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Donations of winter clothing and supplies for asylum seekers can be dropped off at our office (2511 W Division St) or any of the other drop off locations listed on the flyer above. Winter coats, blankets, winter gear and sleeping bags are especially in need. Sign up to involved here: https://bit.ly/3NY5YRr.
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The 26th Ward community-based zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change must 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 must 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. For more information go to: the26thward.org/zoning.
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Join us for Haunted Paseo on October 31st at 3p.m. for a spooktacular Halloween adventure. The fun starts at 2559 W Division St. and includes a haunted house, games, photo booths, trick or treating and more.
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Casa Central’s annual Gala is coming up on Friday, November 3rd at the Adler Planetarium. This year's gala features a special Keynote Speaker, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., a former NASA astronaut and the first African American to walk in space! Dr. Harris will share the inspirational story of launching his career, founding a philanthropic organization, and empowering and inspiring others to reach their goals. For more information and tickets go to give.casacentral.org/outofthisworldgala.
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Join the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at a free, day-long celebration of civic involvement and community connection on Saturday November 4th from 9:30am to 4:30pm at the Epiphany Center for the arts. Register at Chicago.gov/CityCivicsDay.
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8th District Community Meetings
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Commissioner Anthony Quezada invites you to an upcoming community meeting to learn about Cook County government and the services offered at the 8th District Office. The Commissioner's office is excited to host their an 8th District Community Meeting in the Logan Square on November 2nd at 5:30pm at the Lucy Parsons Apartments (2614 N Emmett St).
Join for some light refreshments and a bilingual presentation (English/Spanish) on Cook County, office operations, and available resources.
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 11th, and Sunday, November 12th, when the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture will transformation into a FREE Holiday Artisan Pop-Up Shop, just in time for the festive season. Immerse yourself in the Holiday spirit with music, delicious beverages, scrumptious food, and the opportunity to participate in free family art workshops. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts that you won’t find in retail stores, all while championing small Puerto Rican/Latino-owned businesses right here in Chicago. The first 25 people will receive a free gift each day! On Saturday 11/11 all Veterans will receive a small gift.
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Come out to North-Grand for a Dia de los Muertos themed STEAM festival, featuring drones, 3D printing, slime-making, a lotería game, and lots of cool prizes! November 4th, 11am-3pm.
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New Life Center Fall Fest
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Join New Life Centers for a free Fall Fest on October 27th from 3pm to 5pm at New Life Centers 3908 W Hirsch St. There will be games, activities, food, and candy.
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Walking and Wellness Club
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There is a new Walking and Wellness Club for adults over 55 beginning on October 20th. Space is limited. Please register in person at the Harbor Light Community Center front desk, text 847-316-1365, or email programs@mather.com.
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Alley Construction Notice
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Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, and the Chicago Department of Transportation are pleased to inform you that the reconstruction of your alley will begin on Monday, October 30, 2023. Construction is expected to take 6 weeks, weather permitting. 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. If you have private refuse, please contact your service to make special arrangements for pickup.
- There will be no access to the alley for approximately 6 weeks depending on the weather conditions. Barricades will block all entrances to the alley.
- Access to garages from the alley will be unavailable.
- Homeowners are advised to seek alternative parking.
- Garage aprons will be replaced only as needed.
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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Sign Up For Street Sweeping Reminders
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You have probably noticed that the city's street sweeping schedule has changed this year. Use "wethesweeple.com" to search for your Chicago street address and find out when your street will be swept next. Then, register for email alerts or subscribe to a calendar feed so that you get a reminder when the next sweep is coming up.
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Postponed: Team Jimenez Mobile Hours
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The office of State Representative Lilian Jimenez will be postponing Mobile Office Hours with Ald. Fuentes starting now 10/16/23 and will return 10/31/23 from 10am-4pm. For assistance with state services please contact their office or fill out their Constituent Service Request form: bit.ly/4thofficehelp.
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Cook County Board of Appeals
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The Cook County Board of Review is now open for Pre-Filing for the two County Townships that encompass the 26th Ward: West Chicago and Jefferson Townships. You can visit the Cook County Board of Review's Appeals Portal at https://appeals.cookcountyboardofreview.com to enter an appeal. The Cook County Property Tax Portal is a valuable website to check Exemption Statuses and other property information.
Pre-Filing allows a property owner who feels that their property was overassessed to enter an appeal before the Township is in an "Open" status for the particular township with the Board of Review. When you pre-file, your appeal will automatically go into review by the Board of Review when your township goes into an "Open" status. If you need assistance filing an appeal, please contact my office at (773)-395-0143.
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Order Discounted Rain Barrels
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Rain barrels, a type of green infrastructure, capture rainwater from your roof and save for when you need it. By keeping this water out of the sewer system, it can help reduce sewer overflows and flooding. Rain barrels are now available for $21.50 for residents while supplies last. Residents 65 and over receive an additional discounted price of $10.75. Limit 2 discounted rain barrels per household. Order at mwrd.org.
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Small Business Improvement Fund Opening in Hermosa
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Hey Hermosa, the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in October in the Pulaski Corridor TIF district. The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by Oct. 31st.
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Filming Notice: Kimball Ave
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ArtClass LLC will be filming a commercial in your neighborhood on Thursday, October 26th and Friday, October 27th. In order to park the necessary vehicles and equipment for filming, the following streets will be posted NO PARKING / TOW ZONE from: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on October 26th and October 27th, 2023:
- East side of N. Kimball Ave from Bloomingdale Ave to W. Wabansia Ave.
Please be mindful of the NO PARKING / TOW ZONE signs posted on these blocks. For questions, contact the Production Supervisor, Shannon Leahy, at 630-379-6180.
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The Secretary of State has launched two “Senior Only” walk-in centers in the Chicago area. The two locations include the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 N. Ridge Road in Evanston and Seat Geek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview. Seniors at these locations will not need appointments, as these walk-in centers are specifically designed to meet their needs.
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Picnic Permits Opening Day
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Forest Preserve picnic permits will be going on sale starting November 15th online and November 16th in person. Refer to the flyer above for additional information on locations.
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CDOT Electric Vehicles Survey
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CDOT is launching a survey to better understand the level of knowledge residents have about Electric Vehicles and e-mobility devices like electric bikes and scooters, their mobility needs, and how those factors will impact EV charging demand over the next decade. CDOT will host the first of several community meetings on Tuesday, November 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Olive-Harvey College, with more dates to follow. Residents are encouraged to take the online survey and view additional meeting times at the newly launched project website: chicago.gov/chicagomoveselectric.
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O'hare Concessions Symposium
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Want your business in front of thousands of people daily? Find out what it takes to set up shop at O'Hare at the ORD Concessions Symposium. Prime concessionaires and city leaders will be on hand to guide you. Learn more: http://flychicago.com/ORDsymposium.
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Mentor Youth with iMentor Chicago
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iMentor Chicago is hosting two Fast Track to Mentoring Events on October 28th and November 4th. This offers a fantastic opportunity for new participants to complete all the necessary steps to become a mentor in just one hour. Could you please include this opportunity in the upcoming newsletter under the heading "Fast Track to Mentoring"? Click here to register and learn more.
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Restore the Bathroom in Humboldt Park
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Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor is hosting a citywide hiring fair on Saturday October 21st and Saturday October 28th at the City Colleges of Chicago. Scan the codes above to register as a volunteer, as an attendee, and as a business.
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Lifeguard Explorers Training Program
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The Chicago Park District is committed to identifying and training swimmers from around the city through their Lifeguards Explorer Program. They will teach you the required skills and provide supervised practice time needed to successfully pass the lifeguard skills test, and become eligible to be hired as a Chicago Park District Lifeguard.
Open to all 15-22 year olds. Click here to learn more.
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Vargas Group is hiring for workers at O'Hare Airport. Notably, they are willing to hire immigrants pending work permits. Starting pay $16.80 and they will get a raise on November 1, 2023. Learn more at wwww.vargasgroupinc.com.
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Other Career Opportunities
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New Program Connects Landlords and Vacant Apartments To Folks In Need
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Chicago Rents is a program that connects landlords to tenants through multiple housing subsidy programs, allowing property partners to receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support. Chicago Rents is a program that was created in response to COVID-19 to centralize property partner relationships across multiple housing programs. Through Chicago Rents, property partners are connected with Chicagoans in need of housing, filling unit vacancies and making a real difference in Chicago's neighborhoods. For additional information, please visit: allchicago.org/chicagorents.
If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply.
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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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