33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 7, 2025 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community, Last week, our community faced a series of harms that underscored the ongoing struggle to ensure our neighbors are safe, valued, and cared for. On Friday, ICE activity escalated into direct attacks against residents, including the abduction of neighbors and the use of pepper balls on community members, a clear assault on our right to live without fear in our own neighborhoods. At the same time, we learned of an Albany Park neighbor who was kidnapped in Evanston, and in response, our community organized a fundraiser to support this father and his family, showing how we move toward one another in moments of crisis. Our local businesses and restaurants remain vital places of gathering and connection, and we encourage neighbors to stay attentive in alleys and corridors so we can protect the places where our community life unfolds. Following the recent school abduction, families, educators, and neighbors rallied to affirm that our children deserve safety, dignity, and freedom as they move through their daily lives. Through all of this, mutual aid groups, food pantries, community kitchens, and healthcare networks continued to provide nourishment and care, reminding us that the strongest safety net is still the one we build together. As budget hearings continue and are expected to wrap up next week, our office is carrying this same commitment into every conversation: a budget is not just numbers, it is a declaration of what, and who, we are committed to protect. Our office is advocating for investments that strengthen neighborhood care and safety at both the local and policy levels, rather than responses rooted in punishment or fear. Central to this advocacy is the expansion of the CARE Program, which responds to mental and behavioral health emergencies through direct outreach, compassion, and connection to services and not police intervention. The program is moving toward expansion, and to support this growth, CARE is hiring. We invite neighbors who believe in care, solidarity, and the right to dignity in crisis to consider joining this work. Apply to join the CARE teams: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/100/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&organization=200000202
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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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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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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 1 — Free Flu and Covid Vaccines, 9am-1pm, Truman College, 1145 W Wilson Ave November 1 — Emergency Heating Home Repair Program Application Open - Apply November 2 — Green Corn Festival, 1-6pm, The American Indian Center and Global Gardens Chicago - More Information November 3 — Neighbor Night has been cancelled. Please see below for the next Neighbor Night. November 5 - ACA Health Insurance Application Workshop, 11:00am - 2:30pm, 33rd Ward Office 4747 N Sawyer Ave November 9 — Free Meal, 6-7pm, Queen of Angels Church), 2330 W. Sunnyside. November 10 — Community Bonfire, 5-7pm, Clark (Richard) Park November 19 — Free Adult Health Screenings, 10am - 1:30pm, St. Nicolai United Church, 3000 N Kedzie November 19 — Free Groceries, 12:30-1:30 pm, St. Nicolai United Church, 3000 N Kedzie
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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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Ways You Can Get Involved to Support Immigrant NeighborsIMMR will host virtual Family Preparedness workshops at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening throughout September. Residents are invited to register for the webinars online and can view additional information on IMMR’s website.
UPGRADED IMRR WEBSITE The City has also launched a newly enhanced IMRR website at www.chicago.gov/IMRR. Step-by-step, easy-to-follow guidance for immigrant families and individuals; User-friendly content and clear visuals; Resources tailored to immigrant and refugee communities, highlighting services and protections.
ALBANY PARK MUTUAL AID APMA have been helping with grocery deliveries to folks who may not want to leave their homes right now. Their contact information can be found on their website: https://www.albanyparkmutualaid.com/
ADOPT A HIRING CORNER Latino Union is helping day laborers with their “Adopt a Hiring Corner” volunteer team. Sign up : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV1HGjpuXg8TBZXRwk4iAKa2GyRSVlgOlTwwXXgfgRBg2Ykw/viewform.
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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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Neighbor Night
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].
Cancelled — November 3
Upcoming — December 1, Details to be announced Appointments available: 4:30-5:30pm Guest presentation: 5:30-6:30pm |
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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
PB IDEA COLLECTION“Where do you want to see benches in our ward?” Fill out the form by clicking here. |
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Feedback Closed - Proposal to lift the Liquor Moratorium at 3455 N Elston Ave We will provide an update as soon as possible. |
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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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2025 Street SweepingWe are nearing the end of street-sweeping season, with the final scheduled sweeps ending by mid-November. Sweeping will continue on main streets as weather permits.
View a printable street sweeping schedule. You can find your zone by referencing the interactive map by clicking here. |
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Pumpkin Drop-OffLearn More
Don’t trash your pumpkins after Halloween, give them new life as compost instead! Pumpkins will be accepted for free at all City of Chicago food scrap drop-off locations, and all Chicago residents are encouraged to participate. The pumpkins will be turned into nutrient-rich compost at a local composting facility. |
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Fall Leaves Announcement from Department of Streets and SanitationIt's fall, and that's exactly what the leaves are doing - falling from Chicago's trees. Help us keep our streets, curbs, and gutters clean and safe! Remove leaves that fall into the street in front of your residence. Reuse them as mulch in your yard. Bag them and call 311 for a yard waste pickup.
DO NOT sweep or rake leaves into the street. Doing so is a violation of City Ordinance and can clog the sewer system, leading to flooding, ice over the upcoming winter months, and other issues. |
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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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Community Bonfire (Free event)November 10, 5:00-7:00pm Clark (Richard) Park |
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Trivia Night Fundraiser for Carlson Community ServicesNovember 15, 6:30pm Irving Park Lutheran Church Gym, 4057 N Harding Ave
As Carlson's largest fundraiser of the year, Trivia Night has become a beloved community tradition supporting Carlson's three programs: The Magic After-School Place, Three Brothers Garden and the Irving Park Fine Arts Concert Series. Join us for a great night out in the neighborhood in support of a local non-profit! Register your team here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1762367922899?aff=oddtdtcreator |
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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.
Free Adult Health Screenings and Groceries
St. Nicolai United Church, 3000 N Kedzie Wednesday, November 19 Free adult health screenings: 10 am - 1:30 pm Free Groceries: 12:30-1:30 pm |
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Free Community Meals - Second SundaySunday, November 9; Sunday, December 14 2nd Sunday of each month, 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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CPS offers high school students virtual mental health servicesPress Release
Through Chicago Public Schools' partnership with Hazel Health, all enrolled High School students now have access to a licensed Hazel therapist at no cost to families. https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/cps |
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Bikerdike Apartments Waiting Lists Open |
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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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Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips Available at Our Ward OfficeOur office has been certified to distribute Narcan and Fentanyl testing resources to our community. You can stop by during our open hours or reach out to [email protected] for more information. |
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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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Connect with our local Chamber of CommerceSign up for the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce newsletter by clicking here. |
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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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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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