33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - MARCH 11, 2026 |
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Translate // Traducir // 번역하다 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community,
Starting today, the USPS recommends voters take additional precautions about returning your mail-in ballot! This new recommendation is connected to possible delays in post-marking. Please see the graphics below for details.
The Chicago Board of Elections recommends that mail-in ballots completed after March 10 be dropped off at any of 51 Early Voting Centers open now through Election Day, including the new downtown voting Supersite at 137 S. State St. You can also return them directly to a post office, but be sure to request a manual postmark.
Our 33rd Ward Early Voting Center is the American Indian Center, 3401 W. Ainslie St.
All qualified ballots properly postmarked by Election Day (March 17) and received up to 14 days after (March 31) will be processed and counted for the 2026 Primary Election. The Chicago Board of Elections will send you an email when it receives your ballot return envelope, and again when your ballot has been processed and counted.
Please note, your local precinct polling places on election day do not have drop boxes. Precinct election judges cannot accept mail-in ballots, and mail-in ballots returned at precinct polling places will not be processed.
Questions? Call 312-269-7967 or email [email protected] |
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I encourage you to please contact my office should you need any support, we are here to help. Thank you for doing this work with me. |
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In solidarity, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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Please review our special announcement below regarding voting information. Early Voting locations are now open, and Election Day is Tuesday, March 17. The 33rd Ward Office has a supply of Injustice Watch Voter Guides for community members to pick up during business hours. |
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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 www.33rdward.org / Connect with us and access resources by clicking here. |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. March 17 — Voting Day for the Democratic Primaries - Register March 23 — 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 March 30 — Senator Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual), 6-7pm, Register
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Voting InformationEarly Voting locations across all of Chicago’s 50 wards, in addition to the Early Voting Supersite in the Loop, are open for voting on Monday, March 2. You can find the closest early voting location through the Chicago Board of Elections by clicking here. You can vote at the location nearest to you. You do not need to vote at the location in your ward. Voter registration is also available on site, you can learn more about voter registration here.
The 33rd Ward Early Voting location is the American Indian Center, 3401 W. Ainslie St.
You can also download a sample ballot, to prepare ahead of time by researching candidates. Sample ballots can be accessed here.
I would also like to share important updates for mail-in ballots: The Board of Elections has made two announcements for people who have registered to vote by mail. First, please return your mail-in ballots by March 10 to ensure they are properly counted. This is to accommodate new procedures at the post office. You can also follow instructions on your mail in ballot to return your ballot in other ways. Second, the first round of Vote By Mail ballots were shipped with the previous election cycle’s ballot return envelopes, which reference two ‘A’ and ‘B’ ballots. To confirm, there is only one paper ballot for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election. Please learn more here if you have questions.
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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: bit.ly/ILEyesOnICE Follow our local rapid response social media: @northwestsiderrt on Instagram 33rd Ward Resource Page at www.33rdward.org/immigration-resources
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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 by clicking here. |
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Local Mutual Aid, Donation Drives, and Food Distribution2025 Mutual Aid Map | NRC Albany Park Map | 33rd Ward Map |
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Neighbor NightNext Neighbor Night: Monday, March 23 at 4747 N Sawyer Ave
Upcoming: Monday, April 6
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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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 Zoning page on our website by clicking here. |
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Current Proposals in Review3240 W Lawrence Ave – Project Website Status: Supported Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B1-2 to B2-5
3007-11 W Irving Park Rd – Project Website Status: In Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B3-3
3446 W Irving Park Rd – Project Website Status: In Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B3-3
4634-36 N Avers Ave – Project Website Status: In Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: RS-3 to RT-4 |
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INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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The snow and ice are melting! As we eagerly await Spring, the melting of the snow has exposed a whole winter’s-worth of trash, debris, and yard waste. You can report any major debris or trash collection issues to 3-1-1 or give our ward office a call for assistance.
We also appreciate all of the outreach we are receiving about neighbors wanting supplies to start helping to clean up. If you are in need of large trash bags or trash grabbers, please do reach out.
Street Sweeping season will officially begin on April 1st. Our Ward Superintendent will be providing updated sweeping schedules and maps before the start of the season on April 1. Stay tuned for that update. |
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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 ChiStreetWork 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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Ring Camera RefundsPeople are returning Ring cameras over mass surveillance concerns after Ring began partnering with firms looking to use camera footage for immigration enforcement. Ring camera owners have been able to successfully request refunds on cameras, even if they were purchased several years ago. |
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Lutheran Social Services Mobile Crisis Response TeamExperiencing a mental health crisis? Be prepared in case you or someone you know needs immediate support. LSSI’s Mobile Crisis Team offers free, confidential help 24/7 and can come to you anywhere on Chicago’s north and northwest sides. Call 833-610-5774 (press 1) to speak with a trained professional who can help guide next steps. |
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Senator Graciela Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual)The last Monday of every month, from 6-7pm Upcoming Dates: March 30, April 27, May 25 Register for Zoom Link
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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Gather Together Free Meal Neighbors cooking and eating together each 2nd Friday 5:30pm - 7:00pm Located in Christ Lutheran Church basement, 4541 N Spaulding |
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Our 33rd Ward Office maintains resources pages on our website 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 www.211metrochicago.org. 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 www.albanyparkmutualaid.com. |
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The 33rd Ward Office Has a Notary on Staff
If you are in need of notary services, our team is happy to help. Please reach out to [email protected] or give us a call at 773-840-7880 to set up an appointment. |
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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 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 by clicking here. |
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Connect with our local schoolsConnect with our local schools by accessing a list of schools on our website by clicking here. |
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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 by clicking here. |
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Meet our 33rd Ward Office Staff 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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