May News in the 36th Ward! 🌻

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🌻 Happy May! 🌻

I was honored to have three local 36th Ward non-profits at our Belmont Cragin office to share the moment with them as they received philanthropic grants. They represent the best of our Ward - serving the community, engaging youth, and bringing neighbors together.

Check them out and the work they are doing!
(Click their name below!)

The Give N Receive
Bell Park Baseball
Windy City Wildcats Little League

Welcome to the 36th Ward Newsletter!

Scroll Down for Upcoming Events, Ward Updates, and Community Resources!

COMING SOON: Veteran Panel Discussion

There are many issues facing Veterans today. From changes in the VA to local resource options. Tune in to hear a discussion with local Veteran leaders and government employees.

Click here ➡️ to WATCH on Youtube

HOMEOWNERS: Join Our Monthly Events with Northwest Center

Our monthly Homeowners Help event is held every first Tuesday and Thursday of the month. No registration is needed, just stop by the office - we look forward to seeing you soon!

⬇️ SIGN UP TODAY!

📣 UNION CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP: Register for this two-part initiative to help eligible permanent resident union members become U.S. citizens. Citizenship provides security, new opportunities, and the ability to participate in our democracy fully. See the flyer for more information! 📄

Register with the QR code or visit: tinyurl.com/5586yrue

☕️ TEA TIME!

A big thank you to Senior Suites of Belmont Cragin for partnering with our office to celebrate mothers and grandmothers this past Mother's Day. We had a great time and are grateful for everyone who showed up. We hope everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day this year!! 💕💖

🎣 HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER

The West Belmont Branch library is now offering fishing rod and reel combo kits that are available to borrow with an adult library card. In close proximity to the fishing holes at Riis Park and nearby Forest Preserves, makes this a great free opportunity for families in the area to experience nature in a new way. As part of an ongoing partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Access to Fishing Program, intro to Fishing classes for families will be held on Saturday, May 31.

More information at: chipublib.org/events

Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV!

The world recognized Pope Leo XIV this month. The first American Pope, a proud moment for our world and country.

My full statement below. ⬇️

...Did You Know He is From Chicago?

#DaPOPE

There are a lot of questions surrounding REAL IDs

Check to see if you need a Real ID. The federal government has set a deadline for May 7th, 2025, but you might not need to update just yet. See where you stand and check whether you need to get the Real ID at ➡️ realid.ilsos.gov

NOTE: REAL IDs will CONTINUE to be issued after May 7th - ilsos.gov

36th Ward Newsletter:

May 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Longer and warmer days are here! It's wonderful to see families out enjoying our parks, local businesses bustling, and the spirit of the 36th Ward thriving. I’m proud of the work we’re doing together to keep our neighborhoods vibrant and full of opportunity for everyone.

There’s so much to enjoy this season in our great city—from strolling along the blooming paths of the Chicago Riverwalk to attending outdoor festivals, farmers markets, and street fairs in our ward and across town. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season and support our community.

Thank you for your continued partnership and engagement. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected 36th Ward. As always, my office is here for you—please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or have ideas for how we can make our ward even better.

Wishing you and your family a joyful spring!

Sincerely,

Alderman Gilbert Villegas 36th Ward

Office Hours in the 36th Ward! ⏰

Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Please note: our offices are closed for lunch between 12:45-1:30pm Monday and Wednesday and 1:45-2:30pm Tuesday and Thursday.

VISIT OUR OFFICES:

36th Ward Belmont Cragin Office
6560 W Fullerton Ave
Unit # C118 - Suite A
Chicago, IL 60707

36th Ward West Town Office
2246 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Upcoming Events in the 36th Ward:

(Scroll Down for Flyers & More Info on These Events)

🎣 May 31 at 10:00 AM: I ntro to Fishing Classes for Families

📣 May 17 & June 7: U nion Citizenship Workshop

⚾️ May 17 at 8:30 AM: 36th Ward Bell Park Baseball Parade

🏡 June 21 at 10:00 AM: Homebuyer Expo

CONTACT THE 36TH WARD OFFICE

For all service requests and questions, call our office at 773-745-4636 or send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name, home address, and phone number so my staff can best assist you.

As a reminder, we have two 36th Ward Offices to serve our constituents: one in West Town, and one in Belmont Cragin.

We are closed for lunch from 12:45pm to 1:30pm Monday, Wednesday and 1:45pm to 2:30pm Tuesday, Thursday. Stop by to ask questions and get connected to resources!

Sincerely,
Alderman Gilbert Villegas & the 36th Ward Team

36th Ward Upcoming Events

Northwest Center: Help for Homeowners

Our monthly Homeowners Help events, held every first Tuesday and Thursday every month, are back! We look forward to seeing you again soon! No registration is needed, just stop by the office.

POLICY UPDATES FROM ALDERMAN VILLEGAS

✍🏽 TEAR THE PAPER CIELING

45% of Chicagoans aged 25 and older do not possess a college degree, for veterans the number is 54%. It's important to note that many of these folks and veterans even more so, acquire valuable skills and training during apprenticeship programs or military service, often earning certificates or certifications that enhance their employability, even if they do not possess traditional college degrees.

This ordinance will open doors for many people and acknowledge the work and expertise they have built and honed through various roles and jobs. I look forward to its passage at the next City Council.

🚦CALLED FOR HEARINGS: SPEED CAMERAS IN CHICAGO

I called for these hearings because we have to stop nickel-and-diming Chicago residents. If more speed cameras are being installed, it should be due to safety-related issues, not as a form of revenue generation. There needs to be greater transparency around this.

Full story: Chicago Suntimes

✍🏽 CALLED FOR HEARINGS: THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS

The city’s vendor selection process needs to be reviewed. The lack of transparency and opaqueness does not benefit our residents and more importantly, minority and women owned small businesses that are already struggling to compete in our city.

What happened with Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk owner, Robert Gomez, cannot continue. This process is due for an overhaul.

▶️ WATCH the full clip: CLICK HERE

RESOURCES

PROMOTING COMMUNITY SAFETY

- Our office works closely with the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office to respond to crimes and keep our residents safe.
- As a reminder, always CALL 911 whenever you see a crime or suspicious activity occurring. That is the only way for CPD to know when & where to target their responses.
- Attend a community meeting with your Police District! At the bottom of this email, you will find the CAPS Police Beat Meeting Schedules for the 11th, 12th, and 25th Police Districts. Find your Police District & Beat here: operations.chicagopolice.org/FindMyDistrict

POLICE BEAT MEETING
SCHEDULES FOR 2025:
11th, 12th, 16th, and 25th Districts

11th District Schedule:

12th District Schedule:

16th District Schedule:

25th District Schedule:

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>

36th Ward Alderman · 6934 W Diversey Ave · Chicago, Illinois 60707 · USA