Dear Neighbor,

I hope you had a fun July 4th weekend! 

This past Monday, my staff and I visited the water, sewer main, and lead-service line replacement project happening in Irving Park. We spoke with project managers and neighbors to discuss the progress of the project and to troubleshoot any issues and concerns.

This multi-million dollar investment has been a long-awaited project. When I became alderman last year, I made it a priority to help start this work. This project will upgrade stormwater management, provide cleaner water to homes, and resurface all impacted streets. My team and I will be canvassing the neighborhood again to help keep neighbors updated on the project. You can sign up for a dedicated project updates email chain here.

On Wednesday, I attended the Committee on Housing and Real Estate. I was proud to support an ordinance that improves transparency in affordable housing development by requiring the Department of Housing to publicly report performance data. This information will help identify delays in the approval process and make it easier to move projects forward. The ordinance also removes unnecessary delays that can leave completed affordable homes sitting vacant for weeks after they are ready for occupancy.

In May, I met with affordable housing developers working in our ward to discuss ways to reduce construction costs and make it easier to build the housing our communities need. I was glad to support this legislation and will continue working to expand affordable housing opportunities across our neighborhoods.

On Thursday, our Northwest Side Rapid Response Network confirmed that ICE detained one of our neighbors near W. Belden Ave. and N. Avers Ave. in Logan Square. We are grateful to the neighbors who reported the incident. If you witness suspected ICE activity, please call the Family Support Hotline at (855) 435-7693. Our network will mobilize rapid response support and connect impacted individuals and families with legal assistance and other essential services.

Lastly, applications for affordable apartments at several properties operated by Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation will open this month. If you are looking for affordable housing, I encourage you to apply. You can learn more about available properties and eligibility requirements on Bickerdike’s website.

Sincerely,

Anthony J. Quezada

Alderman, 35th Ward

Community Resources:

• Food Bank Locator and SNAP Updates

• Utility Billing and Relief

• Immigration Resources | Family Support Hotline 855-435-7693

• Parking Ticket Relief

• Tenants Rights Resources

Ward Updates

Upcoming Ward Nights

Our upcoming ward nights are Monday, July 13 and July 27, 2026. We schedule Ward Night visits by appointment to ensure ample time for residents to discuss community concerns and opportunities with the alderman. Appointments are filled for July 13, but appointments are available for July 27. To schedule an appointment to meet with the Alderman during Ward Night, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (773)-985-3510 during our hours of operation (9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday).

Call for Artists: Request for Qualifications- 35th Ward Mural Projects

In 2025, 35th Ward residents voted to dedicate funding through the 35th Ward Participatory Budgeting Program for Public Art and Beautification of Public Spaces. Two winning project proposals were the installation of murals on viaducts at 3401 N Kimball and 3040 N Sacramento. The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Office of Alderman Anthony Quezada, invites professional artists, artist teams, and arts organizations based in Chicago to submit qualifications. You can find more information and apply here. This call is open through August 28, 2026.

Community Development Grants OPEN

The City of Chicago is taking applications for Community Development Grants (CDG) for small and medium grants to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents. Applications are due by August 14 by 11:59 PM. Register here for a webinar discussing small-size CDGs on Wednesday July 8 at 10:00 AM.

Irving Park Department of Water Management Project 7578 Updates

This week, the Department of Water Management completed the catch basin installation on N St Louis avenue between N Elston avenue and W Waveland avenue on the East side of the street. They also completed the sewer main main connection on the south side of the newly constructed manhole at the Waveland and St Louis ave intersection and they began the sewer main installation Eastward on Waveland between N St Louis ave and N Bernard. In the coming week, the Department of Water Management will continue installing the new sewer main heading east on Waveland. 

Please see below further details regarding work that will be performed in the upcoming week: 

Sewer/Water Schedule - July 13th, 2026 - July 17th, 2026

DWM will continue installing the new water and sewer mains on N. St. Louis Ave between W. Grace St and onto Waveland.A new fire hydrant will also be installed just south of W. Waveland Ave on N. St Louis Ave. Please note that a Watermain shutdown on N. St. Louis Ave between N. Elston Ave and W. Waveland Ave is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday (7/15/2026) – the hours of the shut down are yet to be determined, but DWM will notify residents of water service interruption a minimum of 24hrs before the shutdown down is scheduled.

Road Closures / Traffic Control:

During working hours, no residential parking/through traffic will be allowed on N. St. Louis Ave between N. Elston Ave and W. Addison St  or on W. Waveland Ave between N. Drake Ave and N. Bernard St. No Parking signs have been posted to indicate restrictions while work is ongoing. For the public’s safety, the intersection of N. St. Louis Ave and W. Waveland Ave will remain closed until all sewer/watermain work in the intersection has been completed. As sewer installation progresses eastward on W. Waveland Ave, the intersection of N. Bernard St and W. Waveland Ave will need to be closed to allow crews to safely install the new sewer main. 

3600 N Sacramento Upcoming Department of Water Management Work

This week, the contractors started the water main installation beginning at W Waveland Ave, working south on Sacramento towards W Addison. In the upcoming week, the contractors plan on continuing the work to install the water main on the block.

Please see below for more information regarding the project and the impact on your block:

Parking Restrictions

“No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of the street during construction hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM) where work is being performed.

Parking will be allowed outside of work hours and on weekends.

Signs will be placed 48 hours before work begins and will be limited to the block where work is actively taking place or being staged.

Traffic and Lane Closures

With the road closure in effect, local traffic will have limited access. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained for the duration of the closure.

Scheduled Water Shutdowns

There is no water shutdown scheduled for next week.

Pipe Installation

Pipe installation shall continue in a south bound direction moving towards W Addison St.

Water Service Transfers / Lead service Line Replacement (LSLR)

No LSLR work planned for this week.

Final Connections and Restoration

No connections or restoration scheduled.

Fullerton Avenue Arterial Resurfacing

Work continues on the west end of the Fullerton Arterial Resurfacing project area. The contractor is currently working on its first phase, from Lockwood to Karlov. So far, the contractor has ground and milled the old asphalt and placed the 1st layer of new asphalt.

Currently, the contractor is saw cutting in this phase to prepare for upcoming concrete work. After saw cutting is complete, they will move on to excavations to prepare for framing and pouring new concrete. Once work is completed, the contractor will move on to the next phase of work on Fullerton, from Karlov to Kimball. We will share the subsequent schedule as this information becomes available.

Seeking Feedback on Avondale Ave Traffic Pattern

Our office is seeking community feedback on a recent recommendation provided to us by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to address traffic safety concerns on N Avondale between N Troy and N Whipple. CDOT recommends that Avondale be converted from 2-way traffic to 1-way traffic going southeast bound to help prevent car collisions and accidents.

Our office is collecting community feedback about this proposed traffic change. Please provide your feedback using this form.

Upcoming Paseo Prairie Garden Work Days

The Friends of Paseo Prairie Garden will be hosting upcoming volunteer work days. Each work day will be held from 10am-11:30am at Paseo Prairie Community Garden, located at 2614 N Kedzie, and volunteers can assist with weeding, trash pickup, watering and planting.

Upcoming dates:

Saturday July 11th

Sunday July 19th

Filming Notice - 3000 block of N Rockwell July 16

Origin Pictures will be filming on Thursday July 16. The following streets in the area will be posted as a NO PARKING/TOW ZONE during the following times:

Thursday, July 16 from 10AM to 8PM

West side of N Rockwell St from W Nelson St to W Fletcher St

North side of W Nelson St from N Rockwell St to N Elston Ave

If you have any questions, concerns, or special needs, PLEASE CONTACT:

Location Manager Liz Amdahl at (505) 787-3076

Get Covered Illinois Enrollment Event

Need Health Insurance? We Can Help!

A Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Navigator will be at the 35th Ward Office

📍 2934 N. Milwaukee Ave., Unit C, Chicago, IL 60618 on Thursday, July 16 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Get FREE help with health insurance enrollment, eligibility, and the Special Enrollment Period.

You may qualify if you recently:

• Lost health insurance, Lost Medicaid, got married, Had or adopted a baby, moved to a new coverage area, Experienced another qualifying life event

No appointment necessary!

Taller Derechos Laborales ARISE Chicago

Une nuestra oficina para un taller sobre sus derechos laborales y que protecciones usted tiene.

Cuando: miercoles 15 de julio, 6:00 PM de 7:30 PM

Ubicación: Parroquia de Jesus, Pan de Vida, 2915 W Palmer St

Trina Davila CSC - Chicago Program Highlight

The Trina Davila Community Service Center, located on 4312 W North Avenue, provides a variety of services for residents to connect to city and state services.

SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF Application Support:

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-5pm (Provided by Legal Aid Chicago)

Wednesdays from 9am-12pm (Provided by Family Focus Agency)

Emergency Rental Assistance:

If you have questions about the Emergency Rental Assistance program, stop by Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.

Chicago Minimum Wage Updates

Effective July 1, 2026, the Chicago minimum wage for employers with four or more employees will increase to $17.05 per hour, and the tipped worker minimum wage will increase to $12.96 per hour. For more information, visit the website for the Office of Labor Standards under the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Policy and Zoning Updates

Request to Lift Moratorium on New Tavern Liquor Licenses on West Diversey Avenue, from North California Avenue to North Sacramento Avenue

The 35th Ward Office has received a request to lift the moratorium on new tavern licenses on West Diversey Avenue, from North California Avenue to North Sacramento Avenue, to allow the establishment of a new tavern at 2924 W Diversey Ave. Per the applicant:

“The Sugar Bowl Social Club addresses the community's need for a welcoming and engaging local spot, owned and operated by locals, by offering a carefully chosen selection of coffee, tea, craft beers, wines, and unique cocktails designed by bartenders with decades of experience. The club will also feature a rotating menu of delicious, locally sourced bites and a diet-friendly menu to enjoy inside or on the patio in the shade of the trees. Regular events, such as trivia nights and themed gatherings, will provide diverse entertainment. A place equally suited to quietly read a book during your lunch break, play some dominoes or cribbage with a friend, and just get out of the house and connect with others from the community.”

In line with the 35th Ward’s policy on liquor moratoriums, the applicant attended the last CAPS meeting for beat 1411 on Thursday, July 9 at 6pm at the Arts Colony, 2620 W Fletcher St to introduce himself and answer questions about his proposal. The 35th Ward Office will accept feedback on this request for two weeks following the meeting. You can provide feedback here. If you have any questions please reach out to [email protected].

35th Ward Participatory Budget Process

The 35th Ward invites you to submit infrastructure improvement ideas for brick-and-mortar projects for our Participatory Budgeting program to be implemented in 2027. Ward residents get to submit ideas and vote on how the 35th Ward office and the Volunteer PB Committee prioritizes Aldermanic Menu Program funds.

Projects must be located within the 35th Ward and must be on the public way or the property of a City of Chicago sister agency, such as the Chicago Park District or Chicago Public Schools. You can review a map of the 35th Ward here: https://app.chicagoelections.gov/documents/general/35th%20Ward.pdf

Examples of common infrastructure improvement projects are:

• sidewalk repair

• street resurfacing

• alley resurfacing

• concrete alley aprons

• lighting improvements (piggy back lighting, new light poles)

• pedestrian sidewalk bump-outs (detached bump-outs or curb extensions)

• pedestrian refugee islands

• traffic circles

• protected or painted bike lanes

• curb and gutter replacement

• beautification improvements (light pole repainting, planters, murals)

  
  

Please contact our office if you have any questions at (773) 985-3510 or at [email protected].

Summer Youth Opportunities

Chicago Youth Works

Chicago Youth Works is a centralized hub for youth summer and year-round job and program opportunities. It also has more information for employers who are interested in participating in the program by hosting youth at their workplaces. You can find more information on their website.

Upcoming Community Events

Paradise Garden Logan Square Upcoming Events

The 4th Annual BBQ/Potluck Block Party will be on Sunday, July 12th at 1pm. Sign up here to bring to the potluck: https://tr.ee/6qNdMxrmXi

On Sunday, July 12 at 4pm, Second City Samba will be performing a variety of samba batucada, samba reggae and maracatu, with samba dancers as well.

Friends of Logan Square Library Events

On Sunday, July 12 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, there will be a presentation from Tere Wong of Financial Pathways to share information about starting an investment portfolio.

Location: Logan Square Library, 3030 W Fullerton

Department of Cultural Affairs Events

Taste of Chicago returns to its traditional weekend after 4th of July at Grant Park from July 8-July 12. Entry is FREE, with food vendors available for purchase and multiple music stages. The event is CASHLESS and the headliners set begins at 7pm each evening.

Headliners:

July 11 - Babyface

July 12 - Julieta Venegas

The Millennium Park Summer Film Series transforms Tuesday evenings into a shared cinematic experience under the stars with free screenings on a 40-foot LED screen. Films are at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, 201 East Randolph, and begin at 6:30 p.m., Gates open at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Dates:

July 14 – When Harry Met Sally/This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner Tribute Double Feature)

Local CCPSA District Council Meetings

The 17th District Council is holding their monthly meeting on Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 PM at Horner Park Fieldhouse, 2741 W Montrose Ave, 60618

Virtual Hearing for CPD Consent Decree

On Tuesday, July 14, Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer and Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey will host a virtual public hearing on the Chicago Police Department's Consent Decree from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

How to Participate

• To Speak: If you wish to provide oral comments during the hearing, you must register by 4:30 pm on Monday, July 13. https://cpdmonitoringteam.com/register-speak-upcoming-hearing/

• Written Comments: If you cannot attend, you may submit written comments to the Clerk of the Court through 4:30 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Hearing Link: https://afslaw.zoom.us/j/96173711584

FAIR Elections Chicago Town Hall

Join various local elected officials for a town hall regarding the Chicago Fair Elections Ordinance. Chicago is the largest city in the United States with publicly financed election, and the town hall will inform residents about the impacts of the proposed ordinance.

When: Thursday, July 16 from 6pm to 7:45pm

Where: Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N Milwaukee Ave (2nd floor)

RSVP Recommended

Renegade Craft Fair Logan Square

Shop over 250+ curated artists curated by Renegade Craft on Kedzie Blvd from Fullerton Avenue to Palmer Square on the weekend of July 18th!

Times: Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Avondale Garage Sale July 18

Mark your calendars: the Avondale Garage Sale is happening Saturday, July 18, 2026. It's a multi-household garage sale in southwest Avondale where neighbors open their doors on the same Saturday morning, all on one shared map. If you've got stuff to move, registration is free, takes two minutes, and anyone in Avondale can sign up at garagesale.avondaleneighbors.org.

Regional Transportation Open House July 22 @ El Centro, NEIU

The City of Chicago and Regional Transportation Authority are partnering with the community surrounding the CTA Blue Line station at Belmont and Kimball to create an equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) plan. Those interested in learning more and sharing input are invited to the first open house on Wednesday, July 22 from 6-7:30 PM at NEIU El Centro, Room ELC 303, 3390 N. Avondale Ave. RSVP Here

Constituent Resources

35th Ward Office Phone: 773-985-3510

35th Ward Office Email: [email protected]

DSS recycling and garbage schedule:  chicagorecycles.org

Parking Zone Lookup:   http://smartchicago.github.io/zone-parking/  

Snow Plow Tracker: https://plow-tracker-chicago.hub.arcgis.com/

Street Sweeping Schedule: 2026 Street Cleaning Schedule

Street Sweeper Tracker: www.cityofchicago.org/sweepertracker

Street Sweeper “We The Sweeple” App: https://www.wethesweeple.com/Elected Official Lookup: https://chicagoelections.com/en/your-voter-information.html

Backyard service rodent abatement: (312) 746-5230

35th Ward Staff

Scott Jaburek - Chief of Staff

Alberto Cuevas - Ward Superintendent

Sara Rodriguez - Neighborhood Services Director

Chas Sirridge - Policy Director

Juan Cardenas - Neighborhood Services Advocate

Food Resources

On May 1, nearly 120,000 neighbors in Illinois lost their SNAP benefits due to new work requirements and other eligibility changes. This is the largest drop in SNAP participation in our state’s history, and we know local hunger is rising.

No one should have to worry about putting food on the table while navigating these changes. If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, take action to protect your benefits or reconnect to SNAP today. You might qualify to apply for an exemption from the new work requirements. There are also free resources like Job Ready Illinois and Serve Illinois to help you connect to job training, work, and volunteering, if you are not exempt.

Visit SaveOurSNAP.org for resources or contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 1-800-843-6154 to talk to someone about your benefits.

35^th Ward Food Access Sites

Chicago Hope Inc.

2505 N Kedzie Blvd

Regular Program Hours:

Monday- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Thursday- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

New Community Covenant Church
2649 N Francisco Ave  

Regular Program Hours:

Wednesday 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Friday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

St Sylvester Parish

2915 W Palmer St

Regular Program Hours:

Wednesday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Life Impacters Foundation
2100 N Kildare Ave  

[email protected]

Regular Program Hours:

Monday 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

July Schedule for Northwest Side Solidarity Network Events - 3000 N Kedzie Ave (All food given on a first-come, first-served basis)

July Free Groceries

Date: July 15th

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: 3000 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

July Adult Health Screenings

Date: July 15th

Time: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Location: 3000 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

July Community Dinners  

Date: July 16th

Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Location: 3000 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Employment Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring! Check out open positions here.

People’s Gas is also hiring! You can find open positions in the region on their website.

The City of Chicago is hiring for several positions. You can find these positions at www.cityofchicago.org/jobs.

To find open positions at the Chicago Park District, please visit this link.

Goodwill of Greater Chicago and Milwaukee is currently hiring! Find open positions using this link.

Public Safety (CAPS) Meetings

CAPS meetings are an opportunity for residents to meet with the Community Engagement officers of their local police districts to discuss public safety concerns in their neighborhoods. The 35th ward includes portions of the 14th, 17th, and 25th districts of the Chicago Police Department. Visit the CPD website to find your beat.

Beat 2524 Kosciuszko Park 2732 N Avers July 16 at 6:30pm