Dear Neighbor,

This upcoming Monday, March 9, starting at 5:30 PM, I will be partnering with local elected officials and community-based organizations for a community teach-in at Roosevelt High School to learn about how we can continue protecting our neighbors from ICE. The event will include presentations and basic skill training on how to organize your community. We hope you can join us!

Last year, our communities experienced a tremendous amount of trauma from federal immigration enforcement. At the same time, we cultivated a powerful culture of solidarity and created a robust, rapid response network of hundreds of people that defended day laborers, school families, and neighbors. We expect enforcement to continue this year, and we need to be prepared. I encourage you to join us and learn how you can help. Please email [email protected] to request childcare or accessibility accommodations.

Last Saturday, the Illinois Environmental Council invited State Senator Graciela Guzman and me to tour the Green City Market indoor farmers' market in the eastern end of our section of Avondale in the 35th Ward, located at 3057 N Rockwell St. This year-round market supports local sustainable farmers and expands access to locally grown food to our communities.

The market also triple matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits up to your first $25, meaning you will receive $75 in market credits. The market will still double the value of your benefits after your first $25. The indoor Avondale location is open on the next three Saturdays before they return outdoors. You can learn more about the market by visiting their website here.

On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit NEIU El Centro’s campus with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez to tour their new training lab nursing facility for their Master's in Nursing Program. Because of the Congresswoman’s leadership, she secured $1.2 million for the state of the art facility, which makes NEIU El Centro one of the few universities in Illinois to have one.

On Thursday, I attended a virtual town hall organized by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for the families of students enrolled at ASPIRA Business and Finance High School. CPS is diligently working with families to create contingency plans in the unfortunate event that ASPIRA is not able to continue operating. If you or someone you know needs help with transitioning into a neighborhood school, or has questions or concerns, you can call CPS at (773) 553-1530, or via email at [email protected]. Additionally, CPS will be hosting a transition assistance fair at ASPIRA Business on Tuesday, March 10th from 9am-2pm. If you are a family who needs assistance, please attend this event! 

Earlier this morning, I continued my tour of our 35th Ward schools at Fuentes Elementary School in Avondale. Members of the student government gave me a tour of the school. I had the opportunity to talk to many classes between kindergarten and 8th grade. We talked about my role as alderman, what high school they were going to, subject materials, and recently released video games. I look forward to engaging with the school community in the months and years to come.

Fuentes is currently operating as an ACERO Charter School, but in the 2026-2027 school year will transition to operating as a Chicago Public School after ACERO announced the closure of several of its schools in 2024. Fuentes serves students from across the city and will continue to do so in its new structure in the fall. They expect that enrollment will open in April, along with other CPS schools, so keep an eye out if you are interested in enrolling your child!

Have a great weekend!

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

CPS Hosting High School Transition Fair at ASPIRA Business

CPS will be hosting a transition assistance fair at ASPIRA Business and Finance High School on Tuesday, March 10th from 9am-2pm for families who are in need of assistance with transferring schools. If you are a family who needs assistance, please attend this event! 

Property Tax Exemption Applications Open Monday

This week, the Cook County Assessor announced that the exemption application for 2025 will open on Monday, March 9th and will likely be open for 2 months. If you are in need of assistance, please call our office to schedule an appointment to complete your exemption application. Each exemption requires different documents, so we encourage you to call ahead of your appointment to ensure you bring all required documents.

As a reminder, there are several types of exemptions, including:

• Homeowner Exemption

• Senior Citizen Exemption

• Low-Income Senior “Freeze” Exemption

• Persons with Disabilities Exemption

• Veterans with Disabilities Exemption

You can learn more about each of these exemptions, including eligibility requirements, on the Assessor's website at this link. You can check which exemptions you receive by entering your address or PIN at this link and clicking “Exemption History & Status.” In addition to filling for exemption for this year, you may still apply for any missing exemptions for 2024-2021. Please reach out to our office if you would like assistance checking which exemptions you receive or applying for exemptions for 2024-2021.

Early Voting is now underway!

Early voting is now underway across Chicago’s 50 wards and at the Early Voting Supersite in the Loop. Voters can cast their ballot at any of the early voting locations, and folks are also able to register to vote on site. You can find more information on how to register to vote and information on voting locations on the website of the Chicago Board of Elections. The 35th Ward’s Early Voting location is, once again, be NEIU El Centro, located at 3390 N Avondale. Additionally, if you are planning on mailing in your ballot, please ensure that your ballot is returned by March 10 to ensure that it is counted, or you can reference your mail-in ballot for other ways to turn in your ballot.

Tree Trimming Schedule

Weather and personnel permitting, the Bureau of Forestry will proceed its tree trimming grid operations next week. Please observe posted parking restrictions to avoid ticket or tow and to allow for this forestry care to proceed. The operations will continue with the following blocks on March 10th:

• 3700 N Whipple

• 3600 N Albany

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications open Monday, April 1 for the Kennedy/Kimball TIF District!

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and SomerCor will roll out the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant program for applications in the Kennedy/Kimball TIF district on Wednesday, April 1 at 9am.

The SBIF program uses revenue from TIF districts to help owners of commercial and industrial properties to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply on their own.

Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and

residential developers should not apply.

Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf and do not have to be repaid.

DPD and SomerCor will host an informational webinar to review program requirements and the application process.

SBIF Informational Webinar

1 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 | Register

For additional information, visit www.chicago.gov/sbif.

Hermosa Community Tree Planting Day

The 35th Ward Office is working with Openlands, an organization that works to protect our natural areas and our tree canopy, the 26th Ward Office, the Office of Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and Nixon Elementary on a tree-planting day on April 25th. We are working to identify Hermosa-area residents who are interested in having a tree planted in front of their home at no cost. Trees help our communities by reducing the urban heat island effect, cleaning the air, and absorbing rainwater.

The Hermosa neighborhood area has been identified as a high-priority area for tree planting, given its relatively low canopy coverage. On April 25th, we will come together to take action for our community!

If you are a Hermosa resident who would like a tree planted in front of your home or would like to lend a hand volunteering on April 25th, please email [email protected]. If you would like a tree planted in front of your home, but you do not live in the Hermosa community, please contact the 35th Ward Office for assistance at [email protected] or by call/text at 773-985-3510.  

Upcoming Community Events

Constituent Resources

35th Ward Office Phone Number: 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: 2025 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

Employment Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring! Check out open positions as of March 2nd here.

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

LOSAH Center of Hope Accepting New Clients

The LOSAH Center of Hope community mental health clinic is now accepting new clients for individual, couples, and family therapy! Sessions are available in-person and virtually via telehealth. Clients must live in the service area - please enter your address into this link to see if you fall within our service area!

This contact form can be used to request services for yourself or a loved one, and for community partners to refer a client. LOSAH is available by phone at (773) 433-1995 if you have questions or need support.

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.

CAPS Beat 1733/1732 Athletic Field Park 3546 W Addison St. March 11th at 6:45pm

CAPS Beat 1414 Logan Square Library 3030 W Fullerton Rd. March 12th at 6 pm