She took her time, but summer has finally arrived!
I had a jam-packed last couple of weeks. To kick it off was my yearly Mimosas and Maria event. Thank you to everyone who attended. Your contributions were not only important for continuing my campaign, but crucial for supplementing summer funds for the 49th Ward's community services, events, and ward office expenses not covered by the City. If you weren’t able to make the event but would like to contribute, please donate here.
Next up, I joined 100 local elected officials from across the country in LA for the Local Progress Impact Lab, a strategic meeting titled "Organizing with Local Power – Resisting Authoritarianism." During the two-day Impact Lab, we shared stories about community responses to the continuous and unprecedented federal ICE deployments by the Trump Administration. Although it’s disheartening to hear first-hand accounts of how the Trump regime’s aggressive tactics trounce every corner of our nation, there’s a small comfort in knowing that we aren’t alone under the loom of ICE’s unwelcome shadow. We have allies in other cities wanting to work together to resist authoritarianism and protect our communities. The work continues.
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This month, I'm looking forward to many celebrations with my colleagues and community. There are several ways to honor, learn, and join Juneteenth celebrations, including attending the Juneteenth cookout at Pottawattomie Park. I'm looking forward to co-hosting the Democratic Party of IL's Pride Celebration on June 16, and to Rogers Park hosting the first-ever Northside QueerPride (NSQP) at the end of the month, with many exciting opportunities to celebrate and support our northside queer community, businesses, and artists. I'm especially looking forward to Rep. Kelly Cassidy's book reading during Jarvis Square Family Pride on the first day of NSQP and the performances by the Winter Dior family!
However, with all the excitement in June, we need to remember that our LGBTQ+ community's freedoms, civil liberties, and rights are under threat. The ACLU is tracking hundreds of bills and policy changes around the country that specifically attack LGBTQ people and our rights. 23 of these bills have been introduced in Illinois alone. Every single one of these bills looks to strip freedoms from healthcare to bans on sports participation, limitations on expression, including a bold attempt to move our state back in time by redefining gender as just "female and male; woman and girl; man and boy; and mother and father." New bills like these are consistently introduced by state legislators to legislative bodies across the nation, which are sometimes less independent, progressive, or democratic than the one we're lucky to have in Illinois.
So this June, use this month to reflect and spread some joy, and I hope you're able to safely and responsibly join one of the several celebrations happening around the city and Rogers Park.
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Onward,
Alderwoman Maria Hadden
49th Ward, Chicago
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As Maria gears up for a busy re-election, we want to ensure our community remains a top priority through election day 2027 and beyond. In the divisive times we're in, outreach and organizing remain a constant focus. If you have time to help us out, please click the button to sign up to volunteer.
Volunteer with Maria
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June 14 | Flag Day Postcard Writing
Our Edgewater neighbors are celebrating Flag Day by hosting a postcard-writing party to encourage voters in the purple state of Michigan to register and vote in November's critical Midterm election.
Postcard writing will take place at La Pharmacie at the corner of Bryn Mawr and Sheridan. Drinks and food are available for purchase; purchases are not required, but no outside refreshments are permitted. The cards and postcards will be supplied, along with a great company helping to keep democracy alive. Just bring yourself, and any contribution you can make to the stamp fund is appreciated.
When: Sunday, June 14
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: La Pharmacie (5557 N Sheridan Rd)
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June 15 | Show Up Chicago
Presented monthly by the Blue Beginning chapter of Indivisible Chicago, Show Up Chicago is a combination community gathering, cocktail hour, and political panel show at Chicago's most highly evolved saloon. These meetings are a great chance to mingle with like-minded neighbors, hear the latest from political insiders, and discuss and get insight on issues we all should care about.
Doors and bar open at 6 pm. The event is Free and open to all, but please RSVP to attend.
When: Monday, June 15
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia Ave)
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June 16 | Pride Celebration with DPI
You're invited to join Lisa Hernandez, Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI), for a very special Pride Celebration with some of your favorite local electeds!
Your attendance will support the work to protect and expand equality in Illinois. Special guest U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen will be joining the celebration, along with an impressive host committee that includes MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Alderperson Maria Hadden, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, and many more.
At the event, DPI will collect gender-affirming items and non-perishable food to benefit the Center on Halsted. So if you have gently used items or can bring some nonperishable items, DPI will graciously accept them.
When: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Sidetrack (3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago)
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June 19 | Juneteenth at Pottawattomie Park
The ONE Northside Violence Prevention Team is having its sixth annual Juneteenth celebration and cookout at Pottawattomie Park. All are welcome, so come to the park any time between the celebration hours to enjoy food, music, games, family fun, and giveaways
*All food and items are first-come, first-served.
When: Friday, June 19
Where: Pattawattomie Park (7340 N Rogers Ave)
Time: 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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June 19 | Obama Center Opening
The Obama Presidential Center will finally open to the general public on June 19, marking the celebration of a historically important day and the historic opening of the much-anticipated 20-acre campus.
Maria had the opportunity late last month to visit the center before its grand opening and can't recommend a visit more. Tickets are $30, and Illinois residents get free entry every Tuesday. Because entry is timed, it's highly recommended to reserve your ticket and entry time in advance
When: Friday, June 19
Where: Obama Presidential Center (6001 S Stony Island Ave)
Time: 6 am - 9 pm
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June 27 | Canvas in Milwaukee
Door-knock with Indivisible Chicago in the critical swing state of Wisconsin to help engage voters to flip the House and Senate in November. Volunteers will be talking to voters about critical issues and encouraging residents to have a voting plan on Election Day.
All levels of experience are welcome. Volunteers will receive all the info and prep needed, including a pre-canvassing brief, before splitting off into pairs to knock doors.
The drive from Chicago to the meetup location in Wisconsin takes less than 90 minutes. Carpooling is available for anyone needing a ride. Once you register, contact the canvassing team if you need a ride.
When: Saturday, June 27
Where: Milwaukee, WI 53202
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
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June 27-28 | Northside QueerPride
The inaugural Northside QueerPride kicks off the weekend of June 27 and 28th in Rogers Park!
Get ready for two days of celebration for you, your friends, and the whole family with the Jarvis Block Party, Family Pride, Pop-up market, Pride Fest, and end the weekend at the Jarvis Square Pride Party. See the jam-packed schedule here.
Those wanting to celebrate their LGBTQ+ community, support local queer- and BIPOC-owned businesses, and spread the joy of PRIDE month are invited!
When: Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28
Where: Rogers Park
Time: 10 am – 10 pm
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