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Dear Neighbors,
In this newsletter, we’re sharing updates on street sweeping, community safety work, youth events, and an important policy update on One Fair Wage.
Street Sweeping Starts on Wednesday We’ve had a few calls about clogged drains, so I know you are as excited as I am that street sweeping starts April 1. This is one of the ways we keep our streets clean and help prevent flooding as we head into spring, especially after all the debris that builds up over the winter. Find your area’s schedule here. The 26th Ward is on a grid system, which means sweeping happens on a rotating schedule across the neighborhood. You’ll see orange signs posted on your block a few days in advance with the exact dates. Those signs are your notice and your chance to move your car and avoid a $60 ticket. Between scheduled sweeps, there is also a role we can all play. Taking a few minutes to clear leaves and debris from the drains near your home can go a long way in keeping water moving and preventing backups during heavy rain. If you want a little extra help staying on top of your block’s street sweeping schedule, you can sign up for reminders at wethesweeple.com. |
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Women’s History Month This week, my mom, Aida, turned 63 years young. Many of you may have heard me speak about her and the struggles my family had growing up. As we both have aged, we have grown closer. As much as she is proud of me, I am so proud of everything she has overcome. Happy birthday and Women’s History Month, Mom! |
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Narcan Stands As inspired by 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay, our 26th Ward Community Safety Committee is working closely with CDPH to bring our very own Narcan stands to the neighborhood. Thank you to Director of Housing Eleana for hosting a field trip to see the many harm reduction resources that Uptown has in place. ALSO joined my team as they visited three different Narcan box sites, including DFSS, Cornerstone, and the Wilson Red Line station’s Resources on the Rail. We plan on installing our own Narcan stands in May, so keep a lookout for the ribbon-cutting date. |
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One Fair Wage Update In 2023, City Council passed the One Fair Wage ordinance, and I was proud to serve as Chief Sponsor. This policy begins phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers and moves us toward a system in which workers earn a full, stable wage with tips on top. This work was driven by years of organizing from workers and advocates, including The Chicago Hospitality Accountability & Advocacy Database (the CHAAD Project) and One Fair Wage, who have long fought for fair and predictable pay. Last week, City Council voted to freeze the scheduled wage increases, citing concerns about rising prices and struggling restaurants. I opposed that effort because we should not be balancing our economy on the backs of tipped workers, who are predominantly women and women of color, and because the data so far does not show harm to the industry. Chicago’s restaurant sector has continued to grow during this phase. On Wednesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed the proposed freeze, reaffirming the City’s commitment to moving forward with One Fair Wage and ensuring that subminimum-wage tipped workers are not asked to bear the burden of rising costs alone. If you are a worker, a small business owner, or a neighbor trying to make sense of this, know that my focus remains on building a city where both workers and local businesses can thrive. |
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Teen Bash This Saturday is our Teen Bash at Navy Pier! Close out spring break at downtown’s biggest FREE event for teens! You can expect: 🍕 Free pizza and snacks 🎟️Giveaways (including Lollapalooza and Chicago Sky tix) 🎶 Live musical performances & DJs @peprallytakeover 👕 Exclusive merch drops with @clue.chicago 🎮 Video Games 🛹 Skateboarding & Air Hockey 📸 Resource fair with job opportunities AND MORE!
Registration is required to attend. |
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Property Tax Exemption Assistance Available April 16 The 26th Ward Office will be hosting staff from the Cook County Commissioner’s 8th District Office on April 16th to assist residents with Senior Tax Freeze and property tax exemption applications. This is a great opportunity for eligible residents to receive in-person support and ensure their applications are completed correctly.
Appointments are required, and space is limited. Residents must call 773-395-0143 in advance to schedule an appointment and confirm required documents.
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Community Safety Committee This week, the community safety committee met to build a safer, stronger, and more connected community. We encourage residents to get involved, share their concerns, and help shape public safety in the 26th Ward. We invite everyone to attend the Hermosa Community Town Hall on Thursday, April 23, from 6:00–7:30 PM at Mozart Park (2036 N. Avers) and the Community Safety Town Hall in the 14th District on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:00–7:30 PM.
The town halls provide residents with an opportunity to discuss community safety, review crime data, learn about available services, and explore ways to make our community feel safe. We are excited to announce the We Are Our Own Medicine Conference on April 24–25 at New Life Covenant, where you will hear local leaders talk about violence prevention efforts throughout the city. Looking ahead, we are planning for our Annual Memorial Day Cookout and ALSO’s 31st Peace Walk on Saturday, May 23, in Humboldt Park.
The peace walk will have food, music, and family-centered activities, so please join us. Residents can also attend numerous community events, including peace bike rides, free haircut events, youth employment opportunities, and neighborhood outreach efforts. We invite you to stay connected, attend upcoming events, and share your ideas about what safety and community mean in our neighborhoods. Together, we can create strong block clubs and work to make the 26th Ward a safe space for everyone. As always, WE KEEP US SAFE! |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Property Tax Exemption Applications Are Open |
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Recycling Extravaganza 4/11 |
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Tuesday, March 31st, is the last day residents from Hermosa can request a tree for the front or the side of their home. If you’d like a tree, you can request one at bit.ly/HermosaTrees.
If you would like to help plant the trees in Hermosa on Saturday, April 25th, you can sign up at bit.ly/treeplanting26.
On April 11th, we will host a recycling event at the Humboldt Park Boathouse from 9 am-12 pm. Due to bike lane construction along Humboldt Drive, access to and from the boathouse will be available only via North Ave. We are still looking for volunteers to help support the Earth Day clean-ups at Humboldt and Mozart Parks on Saturday, April 18th. You can sign-up at bit.ly/earthdayward26. |
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Chicago Park District Participatory Budgeting |
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Early Learning Application Opens 4/7 |
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Immigration Rights Resources |
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| Construction season has begun! Don't forget to check out ChiStreetWork for updates on upcoming work in your neighborhood. |
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The 26th Ward's zoning process requires anyone requesting a zoning change to first complete a zoning intake form. After review, they present their request to the Zoning Advisory Committee and answer questions. In some cases, they may also present at a community input meeting. |
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We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties. |
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Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Deadline 4/10 |
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Provident Scholarship Fund - Due 4/19 |
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Humboldt Park Patriots Enrollment |
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Be a Student Election Judge |
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| High school students, your voice matters, even before you can vote! 🗳️
Serve as a Student Election Judge in the 2026 Election and help run your local precinct. Gain leadership experience, earn community service credit, and make an impact in your community. You can also pre-register to vote at 16 so you are ready on Election Day.
Find out more |
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48th Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade - Save The Date |
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Public Safety Department Event - 3/31 |
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Clerk’s Office Upcoming Events |
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Chicago Public Library Presents: 3/25 - 4/22 |
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Criminalized For My Survival 3/27 |
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Art Classes Enrollment Open |
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Jumping Jack Program opens 4/15 |
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The Jumping Jack Program is limited to residential block parties within the Chicago city limits. Events on private property, in parks, in forest preserves, at schools, libraries or churches, private parties, birthday parties, community events and festivals are not eligible to apply. Applicant must reside on the block where the Block Party is taking place. When completing the application, if all information is input correctly, the applicant will receive an immediate auto-reply confirmation message containing the request. If applicant does not receive the auto-reply message, the request WAS NOT received. To avoid errors, applicants should: Complete the application on a computer using Google Chrome. Be sure to manually fill in each of the boxes on the application; errors can occur when the fields auto-populate. Try putting a “.” (period) after the letter used to denote the street direction (i.e., N., S., E. or W.) of the block party address. Press “SUBMIT” at the end of the application. Applicants will receive APPROVAL or DENIAL emails once their application is processed. Jumping Jacks are only available on Saturdays and Sundays. Requests are typically highest on Saturdays – applicants should consider Sundays. The Jumping Jack Program will NOT operate on Saturday, July 4th. Only one request per block, per season will be honored. Multiple requests from the same block will be denied. Approved block parties will receive one (1) Jumping Jack for four (4) hours on the approved day. The Jumping Jack will be delivered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will be picked up between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Jumping Jack provider cannot accommodate specific time requests or deliver/pick-up outside of the times listed above. If the incorrect date is selected in error, applicant MUST email [email protected] for further instruction. Last minute date changes will not be honored. Requests must be made through the Registration Portal – emails will not be accepted. Applicants MUST receive a permit from their Aldermanic Ward office in order to hold a Block Party. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Vendors Wanted: Chicago Plant & Flower Festival |
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Free Senior Legal Services |
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Bilingual Foster Homes Needed |
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| Every child deserves a safe and loving home. 💙 Association House’s Foster Care Program ensures that children in our community are cared for, supported, and connected to families who will walk with them toward healing and stability. Learn more about becoming a foster parent or supporting the program at
👉 associationhouse.org/foster |
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| Seniors 60+ — Need help at home?
The City of Chicago offers free chore services to help you stay safe and independent: Light help like cleaning, laundry, errands, or personal care after an illness One‑time heavy‑duty fixes like deep cleaning, clutter removal, moving furniture, or major tidying Find eligibility info and how to apply on the City’s Help In Your Home page. Or call 312-744-4016 or email [email protected] for more help |
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Domestic Violence Resources |
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CEDA Utility Relief Programs |
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Seniors Community Care Program |
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NEW Illinois Immigration Info Hub |
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Cannabis Expungement Project |
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| New Leaf Cannabis Expungement Project is a network of 17 nonprofits that helps anyone ever charged with a cannabis offense anywhere in Illinois clear eligible cannabis and non-cannabis cases from their record.
Our services are free.
New Leaf is state-funded and was formed after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was passed in 2019. |
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City of Chicago - Know Your Rights Guide |
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The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) provides this Rights Card to protect you during interactions with law enforcement or immigration officials. 📞 Family Support Hotline:
Call 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) for assistance in English, Spanish, Korean, or Polish. ✅The right to remain silent. ✅The right to refuse answering questions without legal representation. ✅The right to contact an attorney or organization for help. Print and carry this card to assert your rights and ensure your safety in uncertain situations. For more information, visit www.icirr.org/family-support |
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Intake for People Experiencing Homelessness |
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| 🏠 24/7 Intake Location for People Experiencing Homelessness
For single adults in need of shelter, the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) offers:
✅ Open 24/7 with a 200-person capacity
✅ Meals, showers, laundry, and shelter placement services
✅ On-site assistance and 3-1-1 shelter requests available around the clock
📍 Location: 2241 S. Halsted St. (S Halsted St. & W 23rd) |
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Court-Based Rental Assistance Program |
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Chicago Senior Risk Assessment Program |
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| The Chicago Seniors At Risk Assessment Program provides free fire/fall safety assessments for individuals ages 65 or over and those with a disability.
Chicago Fire Department members will assess the home for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other fire and fall hazards.
Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (312) 747-6691 |
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Chicago Rents connects landlords with tenants through various housing subsidy programs, offering guaranteed rent, vacancy filling, and personalized support. Created in response to COVID-19, it centralizes property partner relationships and helps Chicagoans in need of housing. If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply. |
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25th District Council - Public meeting 3/26 |
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12 District Police Oversight |
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has introduced a new and improved interactive calendar, which you can click here to access. One of the key features of this calendar is the inclusion of the yearly meeting calendar for both the Commission for Public Safety and your Local District Councils. By simply visiting this website, you can find the dates, times, and locations of all scheduled meetings. 14th Police District Council Join elected District Councilors every first Saturday of the month at 1pm to work for better police accountability, restorative justice, and evidence based approaches to public safety. |
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| Aligned candidates will be excited about supporting a community of founders, manufacturers, and industry leaders committed to commercializing hardtech solutions. They'll be inspired by creating economic opportunity locally while deploying solutions to impact the world. They'll come with energy and enthusiasm to join a team during a moment of growth and bold new ideas. Is that you or someone you know? |
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| Casa Central has several openings in both our teaching and nursing that are critical in our programs and they may be of interest to our residents. Teaching Positions: Nursing Positions: |
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What if your everyday work directly protected public health, improved our waterways, and helped millions of people across Cook County? At the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), that’s exactly what you do. What if you could build a stable, rewarding career and make a meaningful impact on your community at the same time? At the MWRD, you can—and that’s what makes it such an exceptional place to work. |
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| Greater West Town Project is offering a Shipping and Receiving Training Program with full-time classes that run for 12 weeks. Illinois residents who are 18 years old or over and low-income eligible can train at no cost. For 33 years, Greater West Town programs have successfully equipped community residents with in-demand job skills and placed them in jobs in industry with recent wages averaging $18-20 per hour. Apply here. |
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| Chicago Board of Elections is HIRING!
Various full-time positions avilable.
Apply by sending your resume to [email protected]
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| Are you a skilled and passionate healthcare professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the community? Humboldt Park Health (HPH) is seeking dedicated Physicians and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) to join our team.
View open position HERE |
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| The City of Chicago is committed to assisting residents in their pursuit of finding a job. This page contains information on where residents can find job opportunities in the public, private,and nonprofit sector. Click HERE to view job opportunities in various sectors. |
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| Chicago Transit Authority employees keep Chicago and 35 suburbs moving every day. This would not be possible without our skilled and dedicated workforce. Learn what qualities make a great CTA employee and find a career opportunity that matches your professional skill set and interests. |
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| Click Here to view and apply for Chicago Department of Public Health jobs |
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If you know someone looking for reproductive justice resources in Chicago, they can go to this Department of Public Health resource page to use the City’s digital community resource directory. There is also a free talkline (1-888-493-0092) where operators are available to share information on various reproductive justice options. |
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| If you need assistance with a city service, let us know! You can submit your request through our website, by giving us a call, or submitting a request directly to 311.chicago.gov. Our team is here to provide the support you need and ensure our community thrives. |
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Requirements:
HS diploma or equivalent
