Dear Neighbor,

Last Saturday, over 50 community members joined together for our fourth annual Connecting Communities Bike Ride. It was such a beautiful day to pedal our way through Logan Square, Hermosa, and Belmont Cragin. I am proud of all the investments we have made to improve the safety and accessibility of our streets and public spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

On Tuesday evening, my office hosted a Community Development and Zoning Meeting at the Brands Park Club Room to gather feedback regarding a zoning change request at 2739-3743 W Belmont Avenue for a 6-unit condo building. My office will be accepting feedback on this proposal until June 5th at 5 pm. You can find more information on the proposal and the link to the feedback form in the Policy and Zoning Updates section further down in this newsletter. 

On Wednesday, the City Council held our May meeting. This was a busy meeting with several big pieces of legislation. The Council approved a compromise ordinance to pause the next tipped wage increase for larger businesses for two years, until 2028. It would then again start to rise by 8 percent annually until it matches the standard minimum wage in 2030. For restaurants with fewer than 21 employees, any increase will be paused for 4 years until 2030, when it will gradually rise each year until it’s fully phased out by 2033. 

This compromise was crafted with worker rights coalitions and leaders and is intended to protect these wage increases and eventually phase out the tipped wage. Now more than ever, working families need higher wages to meet the rising costs of living.

Yesterday, in my capacity as a member of the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, I visited the Department of Family Support Services’ North Area service center. These service centers across the city are a resource hub for Chicagoans to get help with the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), public benefits enrollment, employment services, and much more. You can find more information on the service center locations and services provided here. This was an enlightening tour, and I enjoyed learning about the services offered and the public servants who serve our neighbors every single day.

Lastly, as part of our 35th Ward Community-Driven Zoning and Development process, I issued my support for the proposed housing development on the vacant lot at California and Melrose in Avondale. The proposal received support from a majority of residents who attended our April 28 community meeting and who submitted feedback through our online form during a two-week feedback period.

The development will bring 105 new homes to the neighborhood, including 40 townhomes and a 65-unit multifamily building. Twenty-one of the units will be affordable under the Affordable Requirements Ordinance, and the developer committed to keeping an additional two units affordable for residents earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income.

I submitted a letter of support for the project at yesterday’s Chicago Plan Commission meeting, where it was recommended for approval after meeting the Commission’s development criteria. The proposal will next move to the Zoning Committee and then to the City Council for consideration.

Thank you to all of the residents who participated in the process and shared feedback to help shape this proposal. We look forward to continuing to work with neighbors to improve public transit access and enhance pedestrian and traffic safety in the area.

Please note that in observance of Memorial Day, the 35th Ward and 8th District Office will be closed on Monday, May 25th, and will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26th. Similarly, due to the holiday, the Department of Streets and Sanitation will be closed, and there will be no refuse collection or street sweeping on Monday, May 25th. DSS operations will resume on Tuesday, May 26th. If your alley is serviced on Mondays, it will be serviced on Tuesday. If your alley is serviced on Tuesdays, it will be serviced on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please have your carts accessible to refuse crews.

I hope that you and your family enjoy your Memorial Day 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

Barry Substation 

The sidewalk is finally reopened on the South side of the Barry near the Barry and Gresham intersection! As of late March, the substation is energized and actively supplying power to the tracks, improving reliability and performance along the CTA Blue Line. The substation is in its final stages of work.

Fullerton Avenue Arterial Resurfacing

After much anticipation, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced that it will soon begin work on a Fullerton Road Arterial Resurfacing Project, between Kimball Avenue and Lockwood Avenue. Alderman Anthony Quezada was proud to have secured some of the funding for this resurfacing project when he was our 8th District Cook County Commissioner, and is elated to see this work commence.

This project will include the resurfacing of the roadway, installation of curb extensions at some intersections, and renewed traffic lane striping.  During construction, parking restrictions will be posted for milling and paving operations on the street, and when sidewalk and curb work is actively being performed.

On Tuesday, May 12th, the 35th Ward Office hosted a community meeting with local residents and businesses and CDOT to discuss the project and anticipated impacts. We look forward to continuing to share more information as it becomes available, and plans for the stretch are finalized. Currently, the project is in its final design stages and utility coordination. CDOT anticipates that construction will commence in early summer!

Irving Park Department of Water Management Project Updates

This week, the Department of Water Management began the mobilization of construction materials for the sewer main replacement on N St Louis avenue, between W Grace and W Waveland. The sewer pipe is now being staged on the west side of N St Louis, in preparation for installation next week. Additionally, installation of the water main has begun on N St Louis avenue between N Elston and W Grace. Water Management has also completed the cutting into the pavement on N St Louis between Grace and Waveland, as they will soon commence work on the block, moving South.

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

Sewer Schedule - May 25th, 2026  - May 29th, 2026

In observance of Memorial Day, no work is scheduled for Monday, May 25th, 2026. DWM has tentatively scheduled to begin coordinated installation of both the new water main and sewer main on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

Water Schedule - May 25th, 2026  - May 29th, 2026

No work scheduled on Monday, May 25th, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. Starting Tuesday, DWM will continue the installation of the new watermain on N. St. Louis Ave between N. Elston Ave and W. Grace St – The crew is tentatively scheduled to get through the intersection of W. Grace St and St. Louis Ave by mid-next week. Pending completion of watermain work in the intersection of St. Louis and Grace, DWM is tentatively scheduled to begin the coordinated installation of both the new water main and sewer main shortly after. 

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. Waveland Ave (No Parking Signs have been posted).

California Avenue Arterial Resurfacing Project

The Chicago Department of Transportation has notified the 35th Ward Office of an upcoming infrastructure upgrade. CDOT will be resurfacing California Avenue, from Byron Street to Montrose Avenue, a portion of which lies in the 35th Ward. Work is tentatively scheduled to commence on June 8, 2026. 

The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above.  These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.  All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed September 30, 2026.

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 May 23rd

Sunday May 31st

ChiArts Grant Program

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is launching its application process for its 2026 ChiArts Grant Program. This grant has two program focuses, and offers support for General Operating Expenses of Project Specific Grants for Chicago-based arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes. You can learn more on the program website.

Chicago Housing Authority Choose to Own Program Highlight

The CHA’s Choose to Own Homeownership Program (CTO) allows qualified Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing families to use their housing subsidy to buy a home and receive monthly assistance with a portion of their mortgage payment. This allows qualified CTO families to utilize the voucher to pay a portion of their mortgage instead of a portion of their rent. For more information, to view eligibility criteria, and to sign up for one of the upcoming virtual orientation sessions on May 28th at 11am, please visit the program website.

Policy and Zoning Updates

Accepting Feedback on Zoning Change Request at 2739-2743 W. Belmont Avenue

On Tuesday, May 19, the 35th Ward Office hosted a meeting at the Brands Park Club Room to gather feedback on a zoning change request for 2739-2743 W. Belmont Avenue. The applicant owns three lots at 2739-2743 W. Belmont. It is a unique lot configuration as there is a body shop on 2739 W. Belmont, a 3 flat on 2741 W. Belmont (the body shop is also on this lot to the rear), and a 2 flat on 2743 W. Belmont. The applicant is seeking a zoning change from M1-1 to B2-3 to replace the body shop with a 3.5-story 6-flat while preserving the existing 3-flat and 2-flat. You can view the presentation from the meeting here. 

In line with our Community-Driven Zoning and Development Process, we will accept feedback for two weeks until June 5, 2026 at 5pm. Alderman Quezada will use this input to decide on the proposal. You can provide feedback on the proposal here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or call (773) 985-3510.

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.

Unity Park Advisory Council Youth Liaison

UPAC has been chosen as one of the 2026 recipients of the Chicago Parks Foundation Connecting Communities Award!

This program will bring a Summer 2026 Youth Liaison to represent the youth of our community and meaningfully contribute to the 2026 summer programming at Unity Park. More specifically, this Youth Liaison will be tasked with creating and managing a special project that will contribute to their largest event of the year, Lucha Libre in the Park / en el Parque.

Applicants should be between 12 and 17 years of age, local, ideally a fan of the park, and motivated to contribute to the work of the council and their community! The deadline to apply is May 27th. Apply here!

35th Ward Aldermanic Internship

The 35th Ward office will be hosting a summer intern through the Chicago City Council Summer Internship Program. This is a paid, full-time, 10 week program for currently enrolled students, where interns will get hands-on experience in city government by assisting the neighborhood services team. *Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.*

Tasks will include:

• Community Outreach / Canvassing for events, construction projects, and programs,

• Email communication between various City Departments,

• Connecting residents to vital services,

• Surveying the community for service needs,

• Engaging in research,

• Website Development, 

• Social Media support,

• And tabling events.

If you are interested in applying for this internship opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter to Sara at [email protected].

Upcoming Community Events

Unity Park Upcoming Events

Yoga in the Park 2636 N Kimball Ave Sundays, starting May 10th through August 30th 10-11am.

Night Beams - Saturday May 30th 7-10pm

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

May Schedule for Northwest Side Solidarity Network Events - 3000 N Kedzie Ave

Thursday May 28th

Free hot meals to-go: 12:00-1:30pm

June Community Dinners  

Date: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25  

Time: 12- 1:30 pm

Location: 3000 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Community Food Pantry

Date: June 4^th & June 17^th

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Location: St Nicolai United Church-Christ at 3000 N Kedzie Ave

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.

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.