33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 10, 2025 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community,
I would like to begin by sharing reports on some important developments in our local efforts to resist the Trump administration’s attacks on our communities. We have all braced ourselves after national guard troops arrived in Chicago Monday, but today a federal judge moved to temporarily block the deployment of troops pending the outcomes of the Governor and Mayor’s lawsuit against the president and his cabinet. ICE and other federal agents also must now wear proper identification in Chicago according to another federal ruling.
We have been saying for months, we do not need the military enforcing community safety. We have the local police department, and more importantly, we have organized communities and neighbors caring for each other. Just like we are seeing with the presence of ICE and other federal agents, the presence of military troops will heighten fear and only harm our communities. Troops with guns, tanks, and tear gas, attacking our neighbors and violating constitutional rights, is NOT safety.
I also continue to work in partnership with my colleagues and our rapid response volunteers to continuously respond to immigration activity in our neighborhoods. I remain inspired by the tireless commitment of our neighbors to patrol every school in the community each morning and afternoon to ensure parents and students are safe. This work is exhausting, but has shown to each of us that we are not alone. If you have not yet, please sign up for text alerts of verified ICE activity in our neighborhoods by clicking here, and for social media alerts by following @northwestsiderrt on Instagram.
Despite our efforts, there have been impacts to our community. I would like to share some opportunities below where you can either help support our impacted neighbors or join together with members of the community:
Support local businesses: Our business community, like businesses across Chicago, are experiencing a huge decline in customers. Our neighbors, especially immigrant neighbors, have been staying home and this is impacting our small business community. Please consider, if you feel safe, spending time out in the neighborhood. Many of our local restaurants also offer delivery services. Our small businesses make the 33rd ward a truly special place to live. Let’s look out for each other!
Support our street vendors: Street vendors have been at great risk and are consequently in need of support. Please consider making a donation here. If you or someone you know is a street vendor and needs support, you can apply here.
Local Halloween Events: There are several Halloween events over the next couple of weeks. Please review our list below.
Lastly, my office’s annual Halloween Decoration Contest is open for submissions! You can nominate yourself or your neighbor using this form. Decorations can be located outside or inside your home. The deadline to submit your nominations will be Sunday, October 26 at 11pm, and voting will begin the next day! Three winners will be announced on October 31st and will receive a special prize! You can learn more at our website: www.33rdward.org.
While you are out and about in the neighborhood, I encourage you to enjoy the decorations, and look forward to seeing everyone’s creative “spirits”!!
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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 Closed Notice: Our office will be closed Monday, October 13, in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, October 14 for regular business hours. |
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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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33RD WARD OFFICE INFORMATION |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. October 11 — NIJC Halloween Costume Contest at Horner Park, 10:30-12pm, RSVP October 12 — Free Meal at Queen of Angels Church, 6-7pm at 2330 W Sunnyside October 16 — City Council, 10am - Mayor’s Budget Address - Livestream October 18 — Roosevelt High School Open House from 11am - 1pm October 18 — Bateman’s BOOOsterfest from 11am-2pm, Trunk or Treat at 1pm! October 19 — New Life Church Fall Fest from 10:30 - 12pm October 20 — Neighbor Night; Appointments available by email at [email protected] from 4:30-5:30pm; Guest presentation at 5:30pm October 21 — FAFSA Workshop at Roosevelt High School, 6-8pm - RSVP October 23 — Discuss Arts and Culture in Albany Park from 6pm - 8:30pm at Movement on Montrose - Survey October 25 — Cleveland Elementary Halloween on the Green from 12:45 - 4:30pm
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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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City of Chicago Launches Family Preparedness Campaign IMMR 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.
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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].
Next — October 20, Details to be announced Appointments available: 4:30-5:30pm Guest presentation: 5:30-6:30pm
Upcoming — November 3, 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 |
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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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Current Proposals in Review
3240 W Lawrence Ave – Project Website Status: In Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B1-2 to B2-5 |
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INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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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
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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National Immigration Justice Center Halloween Costume Contest
October 11 from 10:30-12pm at Horner Park
Register here
Come show off your best Halloween costume(s) at Horner Park for Making Great Strides' Halloween Costume Fashion Show! All participants will have the chance to win some exciting prizes, and you can also learn about ways to get involved in the ongoing fight to protect Chicago immigrant/migrant families! We will write postcards to our reps, make protest posters, and hear from our State Senator Rossana Sanchez and Alderwoman Graciela Guzman. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
There will be three winning categories: Best Individual Adult Costume (18+ years old), Best Group Costume (2+ participants), and Best Child Individual Costume (0-18 years old). Participants will be judged on the following: creativity, execution, and pizzazz.
All of the proceeds will go towards the National Immigrant Justice Center.
We will also collect winter gear- coats, hats, scarves, mittens, etc.- that are in good condition. |
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Roosevelt High School Open HouseOctober 18, from 11am - 1pm at Roosevelt High School
Roosevelt is a proud neighborhood high school in the heart of Albany Park. We are home to students from all around the world who speak 23 different languages. We offer five CTE pathways: culinary, teaching, medical, game programming and computer networking. We also have a Spanish Dual Language program and offer Honors, AP, and Dual Credit courses. We host a variety of after-school programs, as well as sports, on our beautiful home field. |
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Queen of Angels School - Children’s ResaleSaturday, October 18 from 8am-1pm Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W Sunnyside Ave $2 Entry |
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Bateman BOOOster FestCommunity Festival from 11-2pm Trunk-Or-Treat from 1-2pm Bateman School Playground, 4220 N Richmond St
$3 per person or $10 per family. Tickets for purchase on site. Cash preferred.
Throw on your costumes! Be There, Be Scared, and Be Bateman! Join us for Halloween activities, games, pie-in-the-face, a SPOOky Haunted House, and a Jurassic World Adventure! Food trucks by Napoli per Tutti, Tamales Express,and Somethin' Sweet Donuts
EVERYONE WELCOME! More information at: www.friendsofbateman.org/booosterfest |
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Irving Park Food Pantry Hat, Scarf, Glove DriveThe Pantry is collecting new hats, scarves and gloves to provide our registered clients in the 60641 and 60618 ZIP codes. This program replaces our annual coat drive, which we are unable to run.
We will give out the items during our October distributions (October 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 22nd and 29th). You can drop off your donation of hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for men, women and children any time through Sunday, October 26th. But early is better!
NOTE: Please limit your donation to ONLY hats, scarves and gloves. We have no space to offer other items. Thank you for your support of this worthy cause! |
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Kedzie Center Community Needs AssessmentAfter 10 years of providing accessible mental health care to Chicago’s North River area, we’re conducting a comprehensive assessment to ensure we’re meeting our community’s needs.
If you live in Albany Park, Irving Park, North Park, or Sauganash, please consider taking our survey or joining a focus group to let us know what YOU need. All participants will have the chance to win $50 gift card to a local business. Share with your neighbors and help us provide quality care to our North River community. |
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Chicago Public Schools Opens GoCPS Applications for the 2026-27 School YearChicago Public Schools (CPS) opened the GoCPS application window this week, allowing students and families to explore schools for the 2026-27 school year. From now through 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, families of students entering grades K-9 in the 2026-27 school year can submit applications to a wide variety of schools - with myriad special programs - offered throughout the city.
To support families through the application process, CPS is hosting a series of online GoCPS information sessions, available in both English and Spanish. Families can register for a virtual session and also view step-by-step informational videos by visiting cps.edu/gocps. |
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Free Community Meals - Second SundaySunday, October 12; Sunday, 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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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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