33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 16, 2026 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community,
On Wednesday of this week, I learned of a new round of funding cuts by the Trump administration to the federal Health and Human Services budget. These funding cuts would eliminate $2 billion worth of . The program was established to address the mental health and addiction epidemic in the USA, by designing best practices to inform federal regulations and spending. This funding directly supports neighborhood organizations across Chicago. The impact on community is still being measured, but again reinforces the need for our local funding to go directly to these services, not relying on volatile grant funding to provide life-saving services to our neighbors.
Fortunately, the funding cuts have been paused due to immense national pressure, but our local organizations have already received termination letters and are in a state of limbo while we wait to see what happens next. Our office is working to connect with local service providers directly, to learn more about anticipated impacts and how we can help to better stabilize these programs. As Chair of the Chicago City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations, I want to be clear: We will not accept this. We will not allow our neighbors to be discarded by an administration that values cruelty over care. You can and the statement fromof Chicago in response.
I would also like to extend an invitation to you to attend next week’s Northwest Side City Budget Report-Back Townhall. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Alderman Quezada will be hosting community members to present information about the 2026 City Budget and how we can continue to organize for the upcoming budget to advance a plan for progressive revenue, to shift the burden of our city budgets off of our poorest neighbors. The event will be hosted at the Hairpin Arts Center at 2810 N Milwaukee Ave, with doors opening at 6:00pm, and there will be simultaneous translation services into Spanish. |
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Lastly, the Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate met this week to receive a presentation by our Chief Homelessness Officer regarding the city’s new This plan envisions a future for Chicago in which homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring, and in which responses are rooted in compassion and dignity.
Recent shifts in federal policy underscore how urgently Chicago needs a coordinated, locally anchored, solutions-oriented strategy to overcome homelessness. Funding threats place long-standing housing programs and the stability of thousands of residents at direct risk. Chicago must continue investing in what works like, permanent housing, proactive homelessness prevention, integrated health and behavioral health care, and strong coordination across support systems. |
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I encourage you to please contact my office should you need any support, we are here to help. Our community has also organized many amazing events and opportunities for us to be together. Please review the remainder of this newsletter to learn more.
Thank you for doing this work with me. |
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In solidarity, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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Local Mutual Aid, Donation Drives, and Food Distribution | | |
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Free Vaccination Clinics through CDPH: |
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The 33rd Ward Office will be closed Monday, January 19 in recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. We will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, January 20. |
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Please support a GoFundMe for a neighbor who’s mother was recently detained by ICE. Link: |
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33RD WARD OFFICE INFORMATION |
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Address: 4747 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10am - 5pm; Friday 10am - 4pm Phone: 773-840-7880 / |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. January 20 — NWS City Budget Report-back Town Hall w/ Mayor Brandon Johnson, Doors at 6:00pm, Hairpin Arts Center January 20 — Participatory Budgeting Community Meeting, 6pm, 4747 N Sawyer Ave January 22 — Low-income Housing Workshop, in Korean, 6pm on Zoom - January 23 — Free — Friends of Hibbard Glow in the Dark Party, 5-7pm January 24 — Free — RHS Winter Wellness Fair, 10am - 1pm, Roosevelt High School January 26 — Neighbor Night at the 33rd Ward Office; Appointments available by email at [email protected] from 4:30-5:30pm; Ward Office Open House at 5:30pm January 26 — Senator Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual), 6-7pm, r
January 27 — Racial Healing Circle, 6-7:30pm, LoSAH Center of Hope, January 29 — Deadline to Vote for Community Choice Awards - January 31 — APMA Game Night, 5:30-9:00pm, 3600 Irving Park Rd February 12 — RHS Arts and Culture Night, 4:30-6:30pm February 13 — Free Meals - Each 2nd Friday at Christ Lutheran Church, 5:30pm - 7:00pm February 26 — Community Choice Awards Celebration, 6-9pm, 2951 W Montrose
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Immigrant Rights and Deportation Defense Resources: If you see immigration enforcement or suspect immigration enforcement, first call the Family Support Network (FSN) at 855-435-7693. We encourage you to save this number in your phone. Sign up for the ICE Alert System: Follow our local rapid response social media: @northwestsiderrt on Instagram 33rd Ward Resource Page at
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VOLUNTEER WITH THE WARD OFFICE |
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Volunteer with the 33rd Ward OfficeJoin us in strengthening our community! We are excited to offer a range of community engagement opportunities with our office. Whether you’re passionate about connecting neighbors or eager to make a positive impact, we’d love for you to volunteer with us. Help us build bridges and foster a stronger, more connected community. Your involvement can make a real difference.
Our office maintains several programs for neighbors to come together to care for each other and to learn about resources available to our communities. You can sign up to volunteer with our office by filling out our volunteer form . |
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Neighbor NightUpcoming Neighbor Night: Monday, January 26 at 4747 N Sawyer Ave
Join the 33rd Ward Office for our upcoming Neighbor Night hosted at our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. Neighbor Nights offer appointments with the Alderperson between 4:30-5:30pm by appointment only. Call or email our office for an appointment at 773-840-7880 or [email protected]. Beginning at 5:30 we will have a ward office open house. All are welcome to join.
The Neighbor Nights are an effort by the 33rd Ward Office to create opportunities for organizations in our ward to teach neighbors about their work and help people get involved. Meetings with the alderwoman are available by appointment only by emailing [email protected]. |
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Participatory BudgetingWe are currently finalizing this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot and look forward to beginning the voting process later this month! Please watch for updates. You can learn more about PB and review results from previous years on our website
All Community Meeting January 20 at 6:00 pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave |
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33rd Ward Snow Shoveling ProgramYou can sign up to help a neighbor with their snow shoveling or sign up to ask for help by , calling our office at 773-840-7880, or emailing our office at [email protected]. We will help to pair you with a neighbor for the duration of the winter season. |
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NWS City Budget Report-back Town HallJanuary 20, Doors at 6:00pm, Program at 6:30pm Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N Milwaukee Ave Simultaneous interpretation into Spanish is available. |
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Community Driven Zoning and Development
Please follow our Facebook and other social media accounts for the most up to date notices on public meetings and input surveys regarding zoning changes in the ward. You can also regularly check our . |
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Current Proposals in Review3446 W Irving Park – Status: Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B2-3 |
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Completed Proposals
3240 W Lawrence Ave – Status: Supported Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B1-2 to B2-5
3039 W Irving Park – Status: Supported Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B2-3 |
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INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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ChiStreetWorksWondering what construction is taking place near you? Try the ChiStreetWork tool which allows you to view all the construction work happening anywhere in Chicago. The tool allows you to view all the active and permitted construction work taking place near you. You are also able to opt into updates to receive real-time notifications related to construction work. |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES |
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Racial Healing CircleTuesday, January 27, 6-7:30pm LoSAH Center of Hope, 3555 W Armitage Ave |
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RHS Arts and Culture NightFebruary 12, from 4:30-6:30pm |
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Senator Graciela Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual)The last Monday of every month, from 6-7pm Upcoming Dates: January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, May 25
State Senator Graciela Guzman's monthly legislative town halls are back! Her team will be hosting these meetings every last Monday of the month from now until May. Join them from 6-7 via Zoom to hear what they are up to in Springfield, express your opinions, and work to shape the future of our state. *Spanish Translation Available* |
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Apply to Join Your Local School Council (LSC)Deadline: January 20, 2026 |
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RHS Winter Wellness FairSaturday, January 24 from 10am - 1pm Free and Open to All! |
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Citizenship Classes Online and In-personHeartland - Refugee and Immigrant Community Services is now offering more opportunities to take citizenship preparation classes. Classes are available in-person at 5715 W Belmont and 4822 N. Broadway or online through Zoom. There are classes for: High Beginner (Level 2) and Intermediate and Advanced (Levels 3-5). In this class, students will study US History and Civics and prepare for the citizenship interview. |
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Apply for CCPSADeadline: February 6, 2026
The District Council Nominating Committee is seeking to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) and is set to open applications for interested candidates on January 7, 2026. These vacancies become effective in the summer of 2026 at the conclusion of the 2-year terms served by three current Commissioners. This nomination process opens up a unique opportunity for young people given that two of three vacancies must be filled by youth ages 18 to 24.
The Nominating Committee will open the applications for these vacancies on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The application period will remain open for thirty days, closing on February 6, 2026. After the deadline, the Committee will thoroughly review all submissions, conduct interviews with selected finalists, and nominate at least six individuals for the three vacancies on the Commission. Once nominated, the Mayor will select three individuals to serve on the Commission from those nominated by the Committee.
The Committee will be holding a series of virtual informational sessions for interested applicants. For more information, on these sessions, the Nominating Committee, and the comments can be directed to [email protected]. |
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City of Chicago Community Development GrantsThe City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Small, Medium and Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards. CDGs use proceeds from the and other funding sources to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents.
Applications are open to business owners, property owners, non-profit organizations, community developers and entrepreneurs.
Small Applications are now open. Apply by 11:59 p.m. on February 13, 2026 for Small grants. Small grants are provided as a reimbursement for up to 75% of the total eligible project expenses with a maximum grant of $250,000. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend an information session or watch a recording before applying.
Resources are available to assist with applications, including a . Visit the or view the for more information.
Medium Applications are now open. Apply by 11:59 p.m. on February 13, 2026 for Medium grants. Visit the or for both Medium and Large grants. to review and complete applications.
Large Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit the or . to review and complete applications. |
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Free Meal - “Gather Together”
Each 2nd Friday until June 2026 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Christ Lutheran Church, 4541 N Spaulding |
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APMA Game NightJanuary 31, from 5:30 - 9:00pm
3600 W Irving Park Road |
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Friends of Hibbard Glow in the Dark PartyJanuary 23, from 5:00-7:00pm |
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Cleveland Elementary - Little Bird PlaydateFebruary 21, 9am - 11am |
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Cleveland Elementary - Glow PartyFebruary 27 from 5:30-7:30pm Ticket Presale begins on February 1. |
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Our 33rd Ward Office maintains as a helpful starting point for anyone that needs support. We are also available by phone call or email to help you explore any options that work best for you.
If for any reason our office is unavailable, please call 2-1-1 or visit . 2-1-1 is a hotline that is staffed 24/7 by trained resources navigators to help you find information and programs related to a wide variety of needs including utility billing relief and housing assistance. |
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Albany Park Mutual Aid - Free StoreLocated at 3000 W. Lawrence
Hours: Mondays 5-9pm, Wednesdays 5-9pm, Saturdays 12-4pm
You can learn more about Albany Park Mutual Aid, support their work, or find help at . |
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Free Narcan and Drug Test Strips Available at Our Ward Office
They are available free of charge by visiting our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. |
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Free Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Available at Our Ward OfficeThey are available free of charge by visiting our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. |
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Free Gun Safety Locks Available at Our Ward OfficeLocks are available free of charge by visiting our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. |
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Connect with our local Chamber of CommerceSign up for the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce newsletter |
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Connect with our local schoolsConnect with our local schools by accessing a list of schools on . |
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Monthly Newsletter for “Service Members, Veterans, their Families, and Supporters”We are happy to feature the following community-managed resources guides for service members, veterans, their families, and supporters including events and services for veterans in Chicago and surrounding municipalities. Please email: [email protected] to be added to their monthly emails. You can view this month’s updates, a calendar, and fliers . |
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Veronica Tirado-Mercado, Chief of Staff John Cruz Barcenas, Deputy Chief of Staff Jonathan Nagy, Director of Communications and Policy Rebecca Rios, Director of Infrastructure and Zoning Abraham Espino, Neighborhood and Business Services Coordinator Camila Garcia, Neighborhood Services Intake Coordinator Ariana Aguilar, Neighborhood Services Representative Eric Ramos, Ward Superintendent
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