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33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 21, 2025 |
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| | Dear 33rd Ward Community,
This coming week will be a busy time in our lives as we prepare to spend time together with friends and family for Thanksgiving, a day that for many of us also marks the National Day of Mourning. The holiday this year already feels different, knowing that many of our neighbors are struggling to provide food or stay healthy, and many families are left with intense grief as friends or family members have been abducted by ICE, DHS, or CBP.
For the past few weeks my office has been sharing a near-constant stream of GoFundMe’s, community fundraisers, or calls for help from neighbors and local businesses. I would like to take this opportunity to lift up a couple of new opportunities to support each other, receive help, or get involved in the community this coming week.
This coming Monday, my office will be participating in three events. The first is a turkey distribution event, hosted at the 33rd Ward Office, beginning at 1:30pm. There will be a limited number of turkeys available, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Many local elected officials are also distributing turkeys throughout the week, so if this time does not work for you, there are many more opportunities.
The second event is our monthly Participatory Budgeting All-Community Meeting. The meeting will also be hosted at the 33rd Ward Office, and will begin at 7pm. You can learn more about PB on our website at www.33rdward.org.
We will also be partnering with the Kedzie Center and State Senator Guzmán to host a conversation on coping with ongoing stress, supporting your children, and taking care of yourself during a crisis. This will be a virtual event, on Zoom, starting at 6:30pm and you can register by clicking here.
On Tuesday of next week, we will be hosting a virtual informational meeting with the Chicago Transit Authority so neighbors can learn about their plan to extend the #93 California bus route to connect between Lawrence/Kimball and the Logan Square Blue Line. The meeting in English will begin at 6:00pm, and in Spanish at 6:30pm. You can submit questions to help inform the presentation by clicking here, and you can access the Zoom link by clicking here or through our website. |
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| | Please also read further into the newsletter below for many announcements about where local organizations are collecting donations, providing free meals, or providing other helpful services. During the holiday week, I again encourage you to enjoy our beautiful community. Many local stores and restaurants are struggling to make ends meet, and despite this have stepped up to help provide for neighbors in need. Please consider shopping locally, eating locally, or donating locally. The North River Commission has prepared this very helpful map to help consolidate information on local efforts.
Additionally, my office has produced a survey to collect feedback on the proposed Chicago Budget for 2026. I have received a lot of feedback from you all so far, and I encourage you to fill out and share this survey to help inform my budget advocacy work. Thank you to everyone who has been engaged so far. I am constantly impressed by the creativity and thoughtfulness of the 33rd Ward! This survey can be accessed by clicking here or through the ward website.
Lastly, the ward office will have a short week next week as we will be spending the holiday and Friday with our families. We will be back in the office on Monday, December 1, where we will be hosting a Neighbor Night Ward Office Open House from 4:30-6:30pm.
I would like to leave you with some thoughts that I hold close for this coming holiday. On this National Day of Mourning, which is recognized on Thanksgiving, I pause to honor First Nations and indigenous peoples everywhere. I honor my Taíno ancestors, who inhabited and protected the archipelago of Puerto Rico, my home, and many other lands in the Caribbean. We honor and stand in solidarity with our Native siblings in the face of the unbearable pain of colonialism and genocide.
Thank you to our Native neighbors who continue to bless and protect the land around us and show us how to be better stewards of our environment and our community. On this day and every day, we mourn the harm and violence caused by colonization, while celebrating resilience, resistance, and community, wishing peace and strength to all our neighbors as we reflect and gather with loved ones. |
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| Thank you for doing this work with me. You can always contact my office if you have any questions. We are here to help. |
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| In solidarity, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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| Office Closure Notice: Our office will be closed November 27 and 28 in recognition of Thanksgiving / National Day of Mourning. We will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, December 1. |
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| | The 33rd Ward Office is now a distribution site for Gun Safety Locks.
Locks are available free of charge by visiting our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. |
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| The 33rd Ward Office has a new stock of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They are available free of charge by visiting our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. |
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| | | 33RD WARD OFFICE INFORMATION |
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| | | | Event details are listed in the newsletter below. November 22 — Free Thanksgiving Meal Kit, 2-5:00pm at the Friendship Center November 22 — Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church from 9am - 1pm - Save time by preregistering at this link. November 24 — Free Turkeys at the 33rd Ward Office, 1:30pm until supplies last November 24 — All-Community PB Meeting, 7:00pm, 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave November 24 — Community Bonfire at Gross Park, 5:00-7:00pm November 24 — Managing Stress During Crisis, Register, 6:30 - 7:45pm November 27 — Free Thanksgiving Dinner, concert at noon, dinner at 1:00pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3857 N Kostner Ave - Call 773.725.9026 to make a reservation
December 1 — Property Tax Appeals Info Seminar, 5:30pm for consultations to pre-file an appeal, 6:00pm for presentation, ends at 7:30pm - Irish American Heritage Center, Register December 1 — Neighbor Night, 33rd Ward Office, Appointments with the alderperson from 4:30 - 5:30pm; Ward office open house from 5:30pm - 6:30pm December 7 — Free - Silent Movie Night - River Park, 3pm December 11 — Sage Brigade - Annual Holiday Art Making Event for Senior Buildings, 11am - 12:30pm at the 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave - Supplies Provided.
December 13 — Front Porch Christmas, 1pm, 3800 N Sacramento, https://www.facebook.com/frontporchchristmas December 13 — Breakfast and Photos with Santa, 8am - 11am, Cleveland Elementary, 3121 W Byron St - Buy Tickets Here: https://friendsofcleveland.square.site/ December 14 — Free Community Meal, Queen of Angels Church, 6-7pm December 14 — Free - Park District “Do-It Yourself” Nutcracker, River Park, 3pm
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| | | | Note from County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez on Supporting Neighbors through Historically High Property Tax BillsThe property tax bills that were released [this week] reflect the biggest increase we have seen in Chicago in over 30 years, with a 16.7% median increase for households. This bill is the first bill based on the re-assessment of Chicago properties that the Assessor completed in 2024, and the increase came as a huge shock to us and to residents. We have heard from many property owners that are overwhelmed and frustrated, and we share those feelings. Ultimately, our office is not responsible for setting property values or tax rates, but we can help residents navigate their options for appealing or applying for exemptions. With this context, please feel free to contact our office at 2934 N. Milwaukee Unit C or call us at 312-603-6386. Please make an appointment with us so that we can ensure you come prepared with the documents needed before making the trip to our office. Below is information about two ways in which you might be able to reduce your bill: Exemptions: Check that you are receiving all of your exemptions, which are listed at the bottom left corner of your bill. If you are missing any exemptions for which you qualify, you can apply for a Certificate of Error to receive a reimbursement after paying your bill, or we can help them schedule an appointment with the Assessor in Skokie or downtown to apply for the exemption in person and correct their bill before they pay it.
The most common exemptions are Homeowners (have lived in home since at least 1/1/2025), Senior (over 65 and receive Homeowners), and Senior Freeze (over 65, household earns less than $65,000 per year, receive Homeowners) and there are also exemptions for Persons with Disabilities, Veterans, and Veterans with Disabilities.
Appeals: If the homeowner lives in Jefferson Township (for the 8th District, this is north of North and west of Kedzie, also listed at the top of their property tax bill), they can apply for a Board of Review appeal which could potentially lower their assessed value for next year’s bills. We will be co-hosting an event on 12.1.25 for Board of Review appeals. Separate appeals can be made to the Assessor, however Assessor appeals for Jefferson Township are currently closed.
If you live in West Chicago Township (for the 8th district, south of North and east of Kedzie), both the Assessor and Board of Review appeals are closed for this year, and you will have to wait to apply until next year.
We encourage everyone to sign up for our newsletter, so that you will be alerted when Jefferson and West Chicago Townships open for appeals next year, and we can assist you in applying to reduce your property value at that time. If you have all of your available exemptions applied, and you have appealed to both the Assessor and the Board of Review, unfortunately, there is nothing else we can do at this point to reduce your bill. We understand these are extremely hard and emotional conversations. Our property tax system is “regressive,” meaning low-income households pay more, with downtown and commercial buildings getting more tax breaks. This leaves homeowners to shoulder the burden. Our office is committed to the long-term work of making our property tax system more fair for working class families. |
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| Support Our Local Businesses
We know many neighbors are choosing to stay in during this difficult time, and we understand safety comes first. At the same time, our local businesses, corner stores, restaurants, and shops are feeling the impact of the recent attacks on our community. If you’re able, please consider supporting them in ways that feel safe for you, whether by ordering takeout or delivery, shopping online from them, or picking up from a trusted spot. Every gesture of support helps keep these community anchors strong while we look out for one another. |
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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. |
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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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| Free Turkeys at the 33rd Ward Office!
Monday, November 24 starting at 1:30pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave While supplies last |
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| | Informational Presentation with CTABus Route #93 Extension Planned by end of 2025 Tuesday, November 25 - English presentation at 6:00pm, Spanish at 6:30pm Provide questions to inform the presentation: HERE Join the virtual meeting with this Zoom link: HERE |
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| | Neighbor Night
Upcoming Neighbor Night: December 1, from 4:30-6:30pm at the 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave. Appointments with the alderperson will be held until 5:30pm by appointment only, with a ward office open house until 6:30pm.
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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| | Participatory BudgetingIf you would like to volunteer for this year’s Participatory Budgeting committee to review project proposals and develop our ballot, of if you would like to submit ideas for consideration by our PB committee, you can do so at our website: www.33rdward.org
All-Community PB MeetingNovember 24, 7:00pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave |
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| | Sage Brigade - Annual Holiday Art Making Event for Senior Buildings
December 11 from 11am - 12:30pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave |
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| | 33rd Ward Snow Shoveling ProgramYou can sign up to help a neighbor with their snow shoveling or sign up to ask for help by filling out the form by clicking here, calling our office at 773-840-7880, or emailing our office at [email protected]. We will help to pair you with a neighbor for the duration of the winter season. |
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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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| | INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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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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| Grid-Based Tree TrimmingCurrent Grid Area: N044 - W032 — 3300 Block of W. Eastwood
Outside of Grid Area: 4800 Block of N. Albany
The Bureau of Forestry is no longer receiving individual tree trimming requests and has shifted to a grid-based maintenance schedule similar to the street sweeping schedule. You can view the map here. If you’re worried about the immediate safety of the area around a given tree due to its conditions, you can reach out to 311 or our office so the appropriate service request can be made. |
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| | ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES |
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| Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran ChurchSaturday, November 22, 9am-1pm Enter through the side door at 4541 N Spaulding Ave
Please come out and help someone who really needs your blood. Walk in anytime, or save time by preregistering at this link. |
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| | Bellona’s Free Thanksgiving Meals - GOBBLEPALOOZA Thanksgiving Day, from 11am - 3pm
Bellona’s - 3447 W Montrose
This Thanksgiving, we want to give back to the community that lifts us up every single day.
On Thanksgiving Day from 11am-3pm, Bellona's will be offering free Thanksgiving dinners for pickup. We have about 50 meals available, and it's first come, first serve until we run out.
If you or someone you know could use a warm holiday meal, come by, grab a dinner, and feel the love this neighborhood has always shown us. No dine-in due to space - just quick and easy pickup, no questions asked. |
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| | Senator Guzman SNAP Benefits Update!November 24 at 6pm
My office, together with Congresswoman Ramirez's office, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Illinois Department of Human Services, is hosting an informational town hall session on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. to share important updates on SNAP benefits. Reserve your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/4hp6xv7s |
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| | Registration Opening for Park VoyagersDecember 8 Register Online: tinyurl.com/RiverPV
Bringing Museum Fun to Parks! Join us this Winter to discover the fun of Chicago's World-Class Museums through engaging hands-on activities and projects run by Museum Educators! This Program is FREE, but registration is required. |
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| | | | Fundraiser for ICIRRNovember 29 from 9pm - 2am 4342 N Elston Ave at the Dunning Collective |
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| | Gross Park Community BonfireNovember 24 from 5-7:00pm
Bring your dinner and chairs to the park to join us for a cozy fire at Gross Park. We supply the fire, you bring the neighborhood warmth!
The Nature Oasis Community Bonfire Series invites community members to experience their park by firelight. Spend the evening in the park meeting your neighbors, learning about local wildlife and warming up next to a fire! Join within the first 15 minutes of the event for a brief lesson on campfire building. Gross Park Advisory Council will be providing the fixin's for s'mores for those with a sweet tooth. This event is free and all ages are welcome - See you there! See more events at the park here : https://www.beautifulgrosspark.org |
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| | Rickover Naval Academy School Play |
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| | Rickover Naval Academy Winter Arts and Crafts Fair |
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| | Irving Park Food Pantry Toy DriveAccepting Donations until December 13 |
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| | 17th Police District CAPS Clothing DriveOctober 30 - December 2 Drop off at 4650 N Pulaski Ave |
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| | Albany Park Mutual Aid - Winter Gear Drive
3000 W Lawrence Ave Drop off times: Mondays & Wednesdays 4pm - 8pm; Saturdays 12pm - 4pm |
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| | Roosevelt High School - Holiday Help Drive |
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| | Trilogy - Winter Clothing Drive
We are accepting donations through Feburary 2026
Drop-off locations: Rogers Park- 1400 West Greenleaf Ave. Albany Park - 3737 West Lawrence Ave. Chatham - 8541 S. State St. (Wednesday only 8:30am to 5:00pm)
As temperatures fall, many struggle to access warm clothing. Trilogy aids adults and children with a mental illness and seeks donations of gently used winter clothing (coats, hats, gloves and winter boots), particularly larger sizes.
Your generosity can enhance their dignity and well-being. Let's collectively spread warmth and kindness in our community! |
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| | 33rd Ward Food Pantry and Free Meals MapYou can view the map here.
On November 1, as SNAP benefits were being cut for 42 million Americans, including members of our own community, North River Commission launched a Community Food Pantry initiative in partnership with 3 Albany Park businesses: , , and . The response from the community has been overwhelming, as donations have been rolling into the businesses to keep the shelves stocked. If you know anybody in need of food, you can direct them to one of these businesses to take anything they need for free! And if you are interested in donating to one of the Community Food Pantries, please consider shopping from a local grocery store! The freeze in SNAP funds has led to a decrease in sales for many of these small businesses.
Albany Park restaurants have also stepped up to contribute free hot food to community members for free. Thank you to , , , , and for looking our for our neighbors!
As SNAP funding is slowly being released again, there will be changes to eligibility for the program staring December 1. For information about these changes, , and for general SNAP updates, . |
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| Free Thanksgiving Meal Food Kit
November 22 from 2 - 5 pm
The Friendship Center, 2709 W Lawrence Ave
The kit includes mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, collard greens, applesauce, and turkey. Limit one per household. |
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| | St. John’s Episcopal Thanksgiving DinnerNovember 27 - Free concert at noon, with dinner starting at 1pm 3857 N Kostner Ave — This location is wheelchair accessible
Please call 773.725.9026 to make a reservation and leave you name and the number of people attending. Walk-ins are welcome. The dinner is free and all are welcome to attend. |
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Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser (With Photos!)December 13, 8am - 11am Grover Cleveland Elementary, 3121 W Byron St
Buy Tickets Here: https://friendsofcleveland.square.site/
Bring your families for a delightful morning filled with joy and wonder. Join us for Breakfast with Santa Claus, where children can share their holiday wishes, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and revel in the magic of the season
Adult Meal: $15.00 (any person over the age of 11) - All you can eat Kids Meal: $10.00 (any person under the age of 10) - All you can eat |
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| | Property Tax Appeals Info SeminarDecember 1, 5:30pm - 7:30pm Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.
Register for this event
Please bring your PIN Number, located on your property tax bill and questions.
Attendees may arrive at 5:30 PM to meet with an analyst to answer questions and pre-file an appeal. A presentation will begin at 6:00 PM, with analysts available throughout the event to assist with appeals and questions. The event will end at 7:30 PM.
The Cook County Board of Review has officially opened the tax year 2025 session. Property owners may Pre-File an Appeal of their 2025 property taxes with the Cook County Board of Review now, OR you can wait until the property value has been finalized by the Assessor and file an appeal when Jefferson Township 30-day appeal period opens. You will be notified when your township is open for appeals. You are not required to submit comparable properties as evidence with your appeal. The Board of Review will provide the latest and most accurate data to substantiate your appeal. Please visit www.cookcountyboardofreview.com for information on how to file an appeal online or by mail. |
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| November Hot-Meals To-Go ScheduleEvery Thursday from 12:00 - 1:30pm St. Nicolai United Church, 3000 N Kedzie
All food will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. No ID or registration necessary. |
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| Free Community Meals - Second SundaySunday, December 14, from 6-7pm Holy Family Hall (basement of Queen of Angels Church), 2330 W. Sunnyside.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul invites you and the members of your household to a new free Community Meal. Come, relax, and share a hot meal with other members of the community! Pick up a to-go bag with a packed lunch to eat the next day.
If you have questions, please call the Queen of Apostles Parish Office at 773-539-7510. Leave a message and the team will call you back. |
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| Emergency Heating Repair ProgramOpens November 1, 2025.
EHRP offers income-eligible Chicagoland owner-occupied properties with direct assistance to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Qualified contractors perform the work at no cost to the homeowner with funding provided through the Department of Housing (DOH).
The assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested homeowners can apply online. They will complete the online pre-qualification questions. Afterwards, their information is transferred through the City's portal. They will receive an email on the same day with a link to proceed with completing the application. Homeowners with an email address can apply online.
Constituents can also receive a paper application via one of the following methods: The City's 311 service line CHI311 APP www.chicago.gov/ehrp. where applicants can complete a service request to apply, and an electronic status letter will be generated for their records. Paper application can be downloaded at www.chicago.gov/hrp and printed out.
A homeowner who does not have an email address or access to a computer will need to call 311 to be sent a paper application package by mail. Completed applications can be returned to: Department of Housing, Attu: Emergency Heating Repair Program, 121 N Lasalle, Room 1000, 10 flr, Chicago, Illinois 60602. |
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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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| 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 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Available at Our Ward OfficeThey 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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| | 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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