Neighbors, 

We are closing out August the way the 26th Ward always does: busy, bustling, and full of people looking out for each other. This upcoming week we will have free mammograms at the boathouse and a community meeting on an affordable housing development. As students returned to school this week, Humboldt Park Patriots will cut the ribbon on Humboldt Park’s brand new football field. Plus, businesses seeking to contract with the City are on notice with the mayor's new executive order. Read on for this and more.

Free Mammograms and More at Humboldt Park Boathouse

On Monday, Rush Hospital and Siemens Healthineers started the Health for All Mobile Mammogram and Health Screenings event at the Humboldt Park Boathouse parking lot. Last year alone over 200 women received mammogram services, with over half of them needing follow-up care. Three of whom are currently receiving breast cancer support. In a moment when families are losing insurance every day and healthcare costs are rising, these services are more vital than ever. Early detection is critical, and being uninsured or underinsured should not stop women from receiving the care they require. 

Services will be available until next Friday, September 4th. For a mammogram screening, schedule an appointment by calling (312) 942-2027.

PRAA Steps Up to Support Chicago Arts High School (Formerly ChiArts)

Over the summer, ChiArts was awarded Sustainable Community School support with a new five-year partnership with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance to continue keeping the arts at the center of the school’s mission. It is rooted in the community that built it. I want to thank the PRAA for stepping up as a vital school partner, providing much-needed resources and programming so students have the continuity and stability needed to thrive.

Mayor’s Executive Order

On Wednesday, the Mayor signed an executive order setting new ethical standards for anyone wishing to do business with the City of Chicago. Companies will now be required to disclose their federal and law enforcement contracts over $500,000 and disclose wage theft complaints, civil rights allegations, and excessive force and unlawful detention proceedings. Current vendors have 60 days to submit in writing. Chicago just became the largest city in the country to join Not With Our Money, which demands that public dollars will not quietly fund companies that profit from raids, wage theft, and civil rights abuses. Instead, they should add value to the communities they are intended to serve.

Community Safety Committee Meeting Update

This week, community organizations met to create safer, healthier, and more caring neighborhoods throughout the 26th Ward. As we prepare for Fiesta Boricua, we want to build on the success of the past three years. Community organizations will work with organizers, security personnel, and local partners to support violence prevention efforts to help residents and visitors enjoy a family-friendly and safe festival. We also continue to address disturbances on Division Street between groups of individuals. Community organizations will work together to develop new strategies, increase violence prevention resources, and support conflict de-escalation.

We especially want to engage young people and address how recording and posting fights on social media can escalate conflicts. We welcome residents’ ideas about how we can help young people protect their neighborhoods and make positive choices. We also hosted an emergency community safety meeting on Tuesday, August 25, on Division and California with the 12th Police District. Residents have raised concerns about drug sales, intoxication, theft, vandalism, and safety in the area. We want to hear directly from residents while connecting people with substance-use services, case management, and other resources. In addition, we are developing proactive strategies to reduce gun violence and gender-based violence, including a safety walk on Washtenaw Street, gender-based violence prevention training, community awareness campaigns, and professional development opportunities for violence prevention outreach workers. Your voice matters!

We encourage community residents to share their concerns, connect with local organizations, and help us identify solutions that strengthen our community. When residents and organizations work together, we can build a safer, more connected neighborhood for everyone. As always, WE KEEP US SAFE!

Boricua Youth Reading Collective

Humboldt Park native and doctoral candidate at UIC, Desi Kobayashi, is recruiting young people to participate in a Boricua Youth Reading Collective, a free reading program and research study for Puerto Rican youth ages 13-16. Together, participants will explore Puerto Rican history, culture, and identity through reading, music, art, movies, and creative projects.

Those interested can apply at: www.praa.org/classes/boricua-youth-reading-collective.

9/3 Community Meeting

Join us on Thursday, September 3, from 6-7:30 PM at the McCormick YMCA, 1834 N. Lawndale for a community meeting regarding a proposed zoning change at 3601 W. Cortland St. The proposal would transform the vacant Teen Challenge building into a residential building with affordable housing units.

This meeting is an opportunity for neighbors to learn more about the proposal, ask questions directly to the development team, and share feedback before the project moves forward in the zoning process. Community input is an important part of how we evaluate development in the 26th Ward, and we encourage residents to join the conversation.

RSVP: bit.ly/zoning3601

Fiesta Boricua

Looking ahead to next weekend, for the past 33 years, Paseo Boricua has been opened to pedestrians and turned into the largest 2-day outdoor Puerto Rican festival in the Midwest. This year’s Fiesta Boricuade Bandera a Bandera is no different. We welcome everyone to come enjoy the fruits of Boricua music, food, art, and culture at this year’s Fiesta on September 5th and 6th.

In Solidarity,

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes

26th Ward Office Updates

Community Resources

26th Ward Events

Immigration Rights Resources

Construction Projects

26th Ward Zoning

The 26th Ward's community-led zoning process requires anyone requesting a zoning change to first complete a zoning intake form. After review, they present their request to the Zoning Advisory Committee and answer questions. In some cases, they may also present at a community input meeting.

Reproductive Justice

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.