Dear Neighbor,

This past Tuesday, our office hosted a city budget report back town hall meeting with Mayor Brandon Johnson that was attended by over 150 area residents and community leaders. The program included a presentation by Chicago Budget Director Anette Guzman and Chief of Policy, Jung Yoon. We discussed the original 2026 Protecting Chicago budget proposed by Mayor Johnson and the subsequent “alternative” budget passed by City Council. You can watch the town hall on YouTube .

On Thursday, I visited the Department of Family and Support Services’ (DFSS) Garfield community service center alongside my colleague, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes. This center is one of several locations across the city that provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness, substance use, gender-based violence, food insecurity, and other forms of economic and social instability.

It is a goal of mine to visit every DFSS community service center this year in my capacity as Alderman and a member of the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity to better understand the needs of our most vulnerable residents and how to best modernize and support DFSS and its incredible workforce. I was deeply bothered by the state of human suffering that many people in the city experience daily, from not having a hot meal, clean clothes, medical care, or shelter. At the same time, I was inspired by the commitment and care provided by city workers at the Garfield Center. Their attention and compassion for residents are a shining example of dedicated public service.

Funding for services that DFSS and other city departments provide, like the Department of Public Health, is under direct threat from the federal government. If we lose any funding, more people will fall into more precarious stages of poverty. I am committed to continuing to defend these essential services and will work toward larger investments to ensure our neighbors have access to the resources they need and deserve.

I also wanted to notify you that the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations will be hosting a meeting on January 27th at 10 am at City Hall to discuss the community impacts of the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement actions, Operation Midway Blitz, and other curtailments of civil rights and liberties. The committee is seeking public comment on how this has impacted our communities, and I encourage you to check out instructions on how you can submit public comment in the Ward Updates section of the newsletter. You can also find more information on the city’s warming centers there. I ask all of our residents to be good neighbors and check in on our most vulnerable neighbors as we brace for this cold spell. 

Finally, my office was briefed by the Chicago Fire Department on a fire that took place earlier today on the 3000 block of West George Street, which tragically took the life of one of our community members. While this incident is still under investigation, at this time, they do not believe it was caused by any nefarious behavior. As extreme cold can many times cause further risks with fire, I encourage neighbors to safely heat their homes and ensure that their smoke detectors are working properly.

As always, please reach out to my office if we can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Anthony J. Quezada

Alderman, 35th Ward

Community Resources:

• | Family Support Hotline 855-435-7693

Ward Updates

Warming Centers available on the North and Northwest side during extreme cold weather:

• DFSS Community Service Centers open in the North and Northwest side: (9am-5pm)

  • North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue

  • Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue

  • The Copernicus Center - 3160 N Milwaukee Avenue (8:30-4:30 pm)

  • Chicago Public Libraries, Police stations, Public Parks, and City colleges will also be open during hours of operation.

• For more locations,

  
  

*Please note that the Garfield Community Service Center located at 10 S. Kedzie will be open for warming overnight tonight.*

For more hours and locations contact, 3-1-1 by downloading the CHI311 app, go online at or dial 3-1-1.

Request to lift the Liquor Moratorium on Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball Avenue and Central Park Avenue

The applicant has advised the 35th Ward Office that they are no longer pursuing the space at 2909 N Milwaukee Avenue at this time. Please reach out to 35th Ward Policy Director, Chas Sirridge, at (773) 985-3510 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape and Logan Square Redesign Updates

Major construction in the area has been put on pause over the winter months, though, as temperatures and weather conditions have allowed, more small improvements are continuing on the Milwaukee Streetscape and Logan Square Redesign Project. The contractor has begun installing some of the plans’ benches, and will continue next week with additional benches and trash receptacles. Street light poles within the new Milwaukee Avenue Plaza will likely be installed next month.

Once weather conditions improve, also be on the lookout for additional green pavement markings for cyclists and additional improvements!

LAST CHANCE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT THROUGH GET COVERED ILLINOIS

Open Enrollment on the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace GetCoveredIllinois.gov ENDS ON JANUARY 31st. Please join us on Wednesday, January 28th, from 11 am-2:30 pm at the 35th Ward Office, located at 2934 N. Milwaukee Avenue, where a Healthcare Navigator from Get Covered Illinois will be awaiting your visit. The Navigator will be helping to check your eligibility for a healthcare plan or help you compare plans if you are considering changing your current plan for 2026. The representative will also be here to assist you in creating an account and comparing plans if you're eligible. If you don't enroll during Open Enrollment, you will be unable to obtain health insurance on the ACA Marketplace unless you qualify for a special enrollment period, so don't miss your opportunity to get coverage. Hope to see you there!

Holiday Lights Recycling

The 35th Ward and 8th District Office is currently serving as a drop-off location for holiday light recycling. Only string lights are accepted, without any decor, garland, plastic bags, or packaging. Lights can be dropped off at 2934 N Milwaukee Avenue, Monday to Friday, between 9 AM and 5 PM, through January 31st. For more information, please contact our office at 773-985-3510.

Committee on Health and Human Relations Seeks Testimony Regarding Immigration Enforcement Actions

The Chicago City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations will be hosting a meeting on January 27th at 10 am at City Hall to discuss the community impacts of the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement actions, Operation Midway Blitz, and other curtailments of civil rights and liberties.

If you would like to submit written testimony or have any questions, it can be sent via email to the committee at [email protected] by 1 pm on January 26th. You can also attend the meeting and deliver in-person testimony by attending the meeting on January 27th and arriving by 9:30 AM.

Upcoming Community Events

Ward Night

Our next ward night will be Monday, February 2nd, 2026. To schedule an appointment to meet with the Alderman, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (773)-985-3510 during our hours of operation (9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday)

Constituent Resources

35th Ward Office Phone Number: 773-985-3510

35th Ward Office Email: [email protected]

DSS recycling and garbage schedule:  

Parking Zone Lookup:     

Snow Plow Tracker: 

Street Sweeping Schedule: 

Street Sweeper Tracker: 

Street Sweeper “We The Sweeple” App: Official Lookup: 

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

Applications are now open for three upcoming vacancies on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA).    

Commissioners serving on the are nominated through the District Council’s and appointed by the Mayor. Applications will close on Friday, February 6, 2026.

While any proven leader can apply and be selected, this year's process provides a unique opportunity for young people given that two of three vacancies must be filled by youth ages 18 to 24. Ideal applicants are those who:

Have resided in the City of Chicago for at least the five years immediately preceding appointment;  

• Have at least five years' combined experience in one or more of the following fields: law, public policy, social work, psychology, mental health, public safety, community organizing, civil rights, or advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities (applicants between ages of 18 to 24 are except from this requirement);

• Have a reputation for integrity and a history of leadership and community involvement;  

• Have a demonstrated ability to engage effectively with all who have a stake in public safety and policing;

• Have a demonstrated ability to work in groups in a collaborative manner that reflects sound judgment, independence, fairness, and objectivity;

Visit tinyurl.com/INFO-CCPSA2026 to sign up and learn more. To access the application and all the relevant materials, visit . Any inquiries or comments can be directed to [email protected]g

ublic 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 to find your beat.

Beat 2523 on January 28th at St. Joseph Home, 4021 W Belmont at 6:30 pm