33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - May 15, 2026 |
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Translate // Traducir // 번역하다 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community, |
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I had the honor of participating in a press conference this week, to announce the citywide expansion of the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program. This has been six years in the making, fighting to provide an emergency mental health crisis response that doesn’t involve criminalizing people who are struggling.
To help with the expansion of this life saving service, we held three briefings with alderpeople from across the city to provide more background on how the program works and all the ways it can benefit everyday people. We need people from all over the city to lean on this service, to request CARE vans, to trust that we can help people with social-emotional distress without having to involve guns.
But CARE is only one component in a much larger project to make Chicago a healthier and more loving place. Another component is support for Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS), which is currently being fought for by State Rep. LaShawn Ford in Springfield, and I am supporting with a resolution in City Hall. Far too often, people who use drugs are dehumanized and treated as expendable. OPS gives us a chance to treat our struggling neighbors with dignity, while saving lives, and making our communities safer as we take drugs off the streets and into a supervised environment.
Ultimately, these projects are rooted in the duty of the government to help people. The best way for the government to rise to this responsibility is through a lens of harm reduction, of looking at our residents, our constituents, as whole human beings and not simply as statistics.
With that, please see my statement from the CARE press conference, below:
"I am so happy to be here today. It's been six years since we started a fight to be able to provide mental health crisis response in the city of Chicago without criminalizing people who are struggling, people who might suffer from mental illness, people who might be dysregulated due to the material conditions that they face in our city everyday.
I am incredibly grateful to have been able to fight for this alongside community. I am also deeply grateful for an administration that dared to say “yes” to designing systems of care that challenge the ways we have been doing things before.
Our structures, many times, do not provide for transformation. What we wanted to do was a really bold thing. We wanted to be able to address the needs of people with mental health issues without using guns, without putting people in contact with the criminal justice system.
But we also wanted that to be public. Across the nation, we’ve seen many of these programs run by nonprofits. We know what has happened when we stick with neoliberal policies that gut government services.
We wanted this to come from government, because government has a duty to care for people. So we do this work with workers who are unionized, with workers who are protected, and that makes a huge difference in the way in which we deliver this work.
I am immensely proud of this work and I am also incredibly grateful that we have a mayor that said 'yes' to this work, that said 'yes' to building systems that can transform our city, and that kept his promise to all of us." |
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Thank you for doing this work with me. Please take a moment this week to help out a neighbor in need. You can always contact my office if you have any questions. We are here to help.
In solidarity, Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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33rd Ward Spring resources: Clean and Greens: Please email [email protected] to request resources to help clean up your block, like garbage bags, grippers, and gloves. Street Sweeping began April 1. You can view our interactive sweeping schedule and map by clicking here. To apply for a block party permit, please fill out this form. You can also get small whistle kits for your neighbors if you wish to include them in your block party festivities to encourage safety and support in your community during these difficult times. To apply for a yard sale, please stop by our office or fill out this form.
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33RD WARD OFFICE INFORMATION |
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Address: 4747 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10am - 5pm; Friday 10am - 4pm Phone: 773-840-7880 www.33rdward.org / Connect with us and access resources by clicking here. |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. |
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Ronan Park Updates
In March, we have received many residents from the former Legion Park encampment into our ward as they wait for their assigned housing. I understand that this encampment has caused great concern for many neighbors. When this community moved into our local park, my office began working in close, daily collaboration with many local organizations, mutual aid groups, nonprofit agencies, and government partners to ensure that our neighbors most in need receive the care, attention, and resources they deserve.
For updates, please check in on our website. |
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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. Sign up for the ICE Alert System: bit.ly/ILEyesOnICE Follow our local rapid response social media: @northwestsiderrt on Instagram 33rd Ward Resource Page at www.33rdward.org/immigration-resources
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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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Local Mutual Aid, Donation Drives, and Food Distribution2025 Mutual Aid Map | NRC Albany Park Map | 33rd Ward Map |
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Neighbor NightNext Neighbor Night: Monday, June 01 at 4747 N Sawyer Ave
Join the 33rd Ward Office for our upcoming Neighbor Night hosted at our office at 4747 N Sawyer Ave. Neighbor Nights offer appointments with the Alderperson between 4:30-5:45pm by appointment only. Call or email our office for an appointment at 773-840-7880 or [email protected].
Periodically, we will invite guest organizations to teach neighbors about their work and help people get involved. In those instances, we will close appointments at 5:15pm for a 5:30-6:30pm. |
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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
3007-11 W Irving Park Rd– Project Website Status: Community Meeting will be held Date: TBA Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B3-3
3446 W Irving Park Rd– Project Website Status: Community Meeting will be held Date: TBA Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B3-3
4634-36 N Avers Ave– Project Website Status: Feedback is in Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: RS-3 to RT-4
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INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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You can report any major debris or trash collection issues to 3-1-1 or give our ward office a call for assistance.
We also appreciate all of the outreach we are receiving about neighbors wanting supplies to start helping to clean up. If you are in need of large trash bags or trash grabbers, please reach out.
Street Sweeping season will officially begin on April 1st. Here is the interactive map our Ward Superintendent made to keep track of scheduled street sweepings! |
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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
4400-4700 N St Louis (Block)
4400 N Bernard (Block)
4500 N Drake (Block)
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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Neighbors in NeedPlease consider consider supporting Maria Velasquez’s GoFundMe after she was assaulted at work during a robbery. You can contribute here.
In November, a single mother and her two daughters (ages 8 and 11) lost their home in a devastating fire. Overnight, they were displaced and forced to leave behind everything they owned, including the cash they had carefully saved. Worse, Nuria was recently hospitalized from an injury, leaving her unable to work. They are asking for assistance through this GoFundMe.
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Job Opening with City of Chicago CARE Team |
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Job Opening with Cook County Assesor’s Office |
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Job Opening with Department of Family & Social Services |
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Bickerdike Apartments
Waitlists open for 3-bedroom apartments at 4 buildings
Applications for waitlist open at 9:00 am on May 18, 2026
https://www.bickerdike.org/before-applying-for-housing/ |
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Community Conversation on Data Centers
The Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy would like to share the "Community Conversation on Data Centers Hosted by the Department of Environment.
This event is happening on May 19, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. At Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S Western Ave. Register here. For more information, refer to the attached flyer. Please reach out to DOE. |
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Senior Health & Resource Fair Let’s Talk about Grown Folks’ Business
NORTHEAST LEVY SENIOR CENTER
2019 W Lawrence Ave
Thursday, May 21, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
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Irving Park Road Study Open House
Wednesday, May 20 from 6-8 pm
Portage Park Senior Center
4001 N. Long Ave
Chicago.gov/IrvingPark |
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AAPI Heritage month
Built to Last: Future Proofing Small Businesses for the Next Generation
An AAPI Business Celebration
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
2951 W Montrose Ave.
This event will bring together local entrepreneurs, small business owners, community leaders, and residents for an evening of networking, resources, cultural celebration, and conversation focused on supporting and strengthening AAPI-owned small businesses. |
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Blood DriveChrist Lutheran Church is hosting a blood drive on Saturday, May 30, at the Lower Level Assembly at 3253 W Wilson. To make an appointment, please call (800) 7TO-GIVE or click this link.
As a thank you, all donors will receive a $25 E-Gift card!
Remember: 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. |
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Israel’s Gift of Hope — Hoops for Hope TournamentSaturday, May 30, 11am - 3:00pm
Roosevelt High School
Registration deadline: Monday, May 25
Registration link
Who Can Play: Youth Teams (Ages 14–17): $20 Adult Teams (Ages 18+): $35 Team registration fees help us provide complimentary food and beverages to all attendees. Additionally, your team's registration fee includes one free raffle ticket for each player for a chance to win exclusive prizes!
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Feedback for Liquor Moratorium Lift - 3734 W LawrenceOn May 7th, our office held a public meeting to discuss the packaged goods Liquor moratorium in place on a portion of Lawrence avenue, from Lawndale Ave to Hamlin Ave.
By filling this form out you are helping the Alderwoman make an informed choice based off of community input whether or not to lift the current moratorium set in place.
Form link here |
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Where should 6 new benches go?
In our last PB cycle, one of the winning ideas was to install six new benches by bus stops that currently have no seating options. This survey is your chance to help decide where exactly these benches should go! Please consider taking the time to fill out this survey. Thank you!
Fill out the survey here: https://bit.ly/BenchSuggestion33 |
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Thresholds: Crisis Response North
Thresholds provides services and resources for persons with serious mental illnesses and substance use conditions in Illinois. They have just unveiled two new, 24/7 programs for the Northwest Side: a “living room” as an entirely peer-led mental health respite center, and a mobile crisis team to provide emergency mental health intervention.
Living Room: 773-537-3601
Mobile Team: 773-572-5464
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Albany Park Community Garage SaleA community garage sale is coming to Albany Park! Organized by your neighbors & we’re excited to be part of it—come out, say hi, and shop some great finds!
Saturday, June 6, 2026 10AM to 4PM
If you’d like to register to sell your stuff, please follow this link. Deadline to register is May 30. |
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Healing Circles for Helpers at The Kedzie CenterTuesday, June 2, 11AM
Food and drink provided
Inviting all therapists, healthcare providers, educators, organizers, social service providers, caregivers, and healers serving our communities to: - build community - share in joy and struggles of our work - and to offer mutual support and strengthen coping skills
For more information or to bring a circle to your site, please call us at 773-754-0577 or email us at [email protected]. |
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Children’s Garage SaleSaint Andrew’s Parish will be hosting a Children’s Garage Sale on Saturday, May 16, from 8:00am - 2:00pm at the Saint Andrew Gym on the corner of Addison and Paulina. |
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Making Great Strides 5kIt’s almost time for the 2nd annual Making Great Strides Run/Walk! Register at link in bio. We will have community orgs sharing info on how to get involved in their work, and 100% of proceeds go towards National Immigrant Justice Center.
Saturday, May 31 9:00AM Horner Park
Get your tickets here. |
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Embodied Healing SeriesEngage in wellness & self-care in a safe, trusting environment. For folks in the social impact space, this is protected time for you to REST, PLAY, MOVE, REFLECT, & CONNECT.
Sign up for one or more sessions between April 26 and June 7!
Thanks to #Healingillinois, sessions are FREE, but registration & confirmation required. More information: [email protected] |
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5th Annual River Run 5KSaturday, June 13, 10am Start 3400 N Rockwell Street - Clark Park Get your tickets here |
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Volunteer Flavors of Albany ParkSupport our biggest event of the year and get half off your Flavors ticket!
Volunteer options include: Participant check-in, restaurant support, parking lot activities, breakdown.
Volunteer here.
https://bit.ly/flavorsvolunteer26 |
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Flavors of Albany ParkFor one unforgettable evening, Albany Park transforms into a global tasting experience. Known as one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, Albany Park offers flavors from across the world—without ever leaving the city.
At Flavors of Albany Park, you’ll sample dishes from 60+ local restaurants, each offering a taste of their culture, craft, and community. Whether you're craving bold street food, comforting classics, or something entirely new, every stop is a discovery. This isn’t just a food crawl—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and connection.
Wednesday, June 24 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Get your tickets here |
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Bands Apply for Lot Jams 2026Apply Here |
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Community Science Hub at River ParkFree and family-friendly
Hosted by Friends of the Chicago River
Saturday, May 9th 9AM - 12PM |
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Impact for Equity — Property Tax AppealsThe property tax appeal system in Cook County is complex and difficult to navigate, so few homeowners appeal and even fewer succeed. Impact for Equity has developed a set of checklists and resources to simplify the process and empower homeowners to challenge inequitable property tax practices. (Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog at this website.) |
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Apply for Youth Jobs - [formerly One Summer Chicago]We are excited to announce that the Chicago Youth Works (CYW) application portal is now open. Chicago Youth Works — formerly One Summer Chicago — reflects the City’s continued investment in expanding youth employment opportunities and strengthening pathways to long-term career success for Chicago’s young people.
Interested youth can apply online at ChicagoYouthWorks.org. Applicants will receive bi-weekly updates with reminders, resources, and interview notifications throughout the application period.
Youth ages 14-15 will have access to stipend paid opportunities while youth and young adults ages 16-24 will be paid an hourly wage. Apply by May 29. |
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Get Medicaid FactsThe Cook County Medicaid Impact Workgroup, a coalition convened by Cook County Health, has launched “Get Medicaid Facts," a new website and communications toolkit designed to help people understand upcoming changes to Medicaid eligibility and what steps they can take now to keep their coverage.
These resources come at a critical time. Federal policy changes are expected to significantly impact Medicaid, and an estimated 400,000 Illinois residents could lose coverage in the coming years if they are not prepared or informed.
https://getmedicaidfacts.com/ |
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Senator Graciela Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual)The last Monday of every month, from 6-7pm Upcoming Dates: May 25 Register for Zoom Link
State Senator Graciela Guzman's monthly legislative town halls are back! Her team will be hosting these meetings every last Monday of the month from now until May. Join them from 6-7 via Zoom to hear what they are up to in Springfield, express your opinions, and work to shape the future of our state. *Spanish Translation Available* |
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Gather Together Free Meal Neighbors cooking and eating together each 2nd Friday 5:30pm - 7:00pm Located in Christ Lutheran Church basement, 4541 N Spaulding |
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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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The 33rd Ward Office Has a Notary on Staff
If you are in need of notary services, our team is happy to help. Please reach out to [email protected] or give us a call at 773-840-7880 to set up an appointment. |
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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 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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Connect with our local schoolsConnect with our local schools by accessing a list of schools on our website 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 Jonathan Nagy, Chief of Staff John Cruz-Barcenas, Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Rios, Director of 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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