Email from Office of Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley, 21st Ward Alderman

Thriving 21

Weekly Bulletin

June 25, 2026

Hi 21st Ward Family,

Last week, I was honored to participate in two events that highlighted the rich history, resilience, and contributions of Black communities throughout Chicago.

At Daley Plaza, I joined residents, community leaders, and fellow elected officials for the City of Chicago's Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, a powerful tradition that marks the beginning of Juneteenth celebrations across our city. The ceremony served as a reminder of the significance of freedom, the sacrifices of those who came before us, and the continued work of building a more equitable future for generations to come.

At this month's City Council meeting, we advanced measures that reflect our commitment to building a safer, more inclusive, and more accessible Chicago. From supporting families and improving accessibility for residents with disabilities to enhancing neighborhood safety and recognizing organizations making a lasting impact, these actions demonstrate the importance of investing in people and strengthening our communities.

Key actions approved and passed include:

Approved – Kenneth Gunn as Chair of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations
Approved – Order for the City's ADA Transition Plan to improve accessibility
Passed – Resolution honoring the Zeta Tau Zeta Metropolitan Chicago Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on its 60th Anniversary in recognition of its decades of service to our communities.
Passed - Resolution celebrating of June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth in Chicago
Passed - Resolution designating June 2026 as Pride Month in Chicago
Passed – Resolution in support for the Preservation and Expansion of DACA Protections

As we work to create new opportunities for our communities, we must also honor those whose leadership made those opportunities possible. During this month's City Council meeting, I was proud to recognize Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr. during a special Juneteenth tribute celebrating his extraordinary lifetime of service, his recent 94th birthday, and his enduring legacy of expanding opportunity through the creation of Illinois' judicial subcircuits.

Senator Brookins' legacy extends far beyond the offices he held. His leadership in establishing Illinois' judicial subcircuits helped expand access to the bench, creating opportunities for a more diverse and representative judiciary for generations to come. His decades of service—as a veteran, police officer, businessman, legislator, and community leader—reflect a steadfast commitment to justice, equity, and opening doors for others. As we celebrate Juneteenth and the progress made through sacrifice and perseverance, we proudly recognize Senator Brookins for a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington

On Sunday, I was proud to join residents of Maple Park for their annual Father's Day Picnic and the unveiling of the honorary "Maple Park Way" street sign. For nearly 64 years, Maple Park has stood as a symbol of perseverance, opportunity, and community pride—welcoming Black families seeking stability, homeownership, and the chance to build generational wealth.

The new honorary designation serves as a lasting tribute to the residents who built the neighborhood's legacy and the generations who continue to carry that story forward.

Together, these celebrations reflected the strength of our communities and the importance of honoring both our history and those who helped shape it.

Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington

As we continue building on the spirit of community engagement and empowerment, I invite residents to join me for our next Monthly Town Hall this Saturday, June 27th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted Street.

This month's town hall will focus on housing resources and opportunities, featuring representatives from the Chicago Housing Authority, Department of Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Angel of God Resource Center, Far South CDC, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and other community partners.

I encourage you to attend and connect with organizations working to support residents throughout the 21st Ward.

Chicago Labor Law Updates Take Effect July 1

Beginning July 1, several important updates to Chicago's labor laws will take effect, including an increase in the city's minimum wage to $17.05 per hour, expanded paid leave protections, and updated Fair Workweek eligibility requirements.

If you're an employee or employer, now is the time to understand how these changes may affect you. Visit Chicago.gov/LaborStandards to learn more about your rights and responsibilities.

Thank you for staying engaged and connected.

Building Community. Thriving Together.

— Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley

Building a Thriving 21

Celebrating Juneteenth Across the 21st Ward

Juneteenth was celebrated throughout the 21st Ward and across the South Side with a series of events that brought residents together to honor freedom, culture, history, and community. I was grateful to join neighbors at the Angel of God Resource Center, the Kroc Center, the Far South CDC & Phalanx Juneteenth Festival, We Sow We Grow, and the Major Taylor Trail Juneteenth Fundraiser.

Each event reflected the true spirit of Juneteenth in its own way—through fellowship, food giveaways, community resources, cultural celebrations, educational opportunities, and meaningful conversations about our shared history and future. Whether connecting residents to ward services, supporting community organizations, highlighting important neighborhood assets like the Major Taylor Trail, or simply gathering with families and friends, these celebrations demonstrated the strength, resilience, and unity that define our community.

Thank you to every organizer, volunteer, community partner, and resident who helped make this Juneteenth weekend so special. Together, we honored the past, celebrated the progress we've made, and reaffirmed our commitment to building a stronger future for generations to come.

Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington

Empower Her Essentials Giveaway

Thank you to Building a Legacy Foundation and Southside Task Force for hosting the Empower Her Essentials Giveaway, providing women with essential resources, support, and life-saving education. In addition to distributing personal care items, attendees received hands-on Narcan training, equipping residents with tools that can help save lives and strengthen our communities. Events like these demonstrate the power of partnership and the importance of investing in the health, wellness, and empowerment of women across our neighborhoods.

Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington

Father's Day Giveaway

A special thank you to S2 Grill & Bar and Larry Huggins' Christmas in the Ward for hosting a Father's Day celebration dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures throughout our community.

Alongside Mayor Brandon Johnson and fellow elected officials, I had the opportunity to celebrate the men who help guide, mentor, and support our families every day. Events like these remind us of the important role fathers play in building stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and stronger communities.

Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington

Upcoming Events/Resources

21st Ward Community Events

Stay Engaged with the 21st Ward

Our Monthly Town Hall meetings are an important way to stay informed and connected.

These meetings provide an opportunity to:

Receive updates
Access resources
Share your voice

Your engagement helps us continue building a stronger, more responsive community.

Paper Shredding & E-Waste Recycling Event

Protect your personal information and help keep our community clean by joining us for our FREE Paper Shredding & E-Waste Recycling Event on Friday, August 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 11414 S. Halsted (Old Jewel-Osco parking lot).

Safely shred confidential documents and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics, including computers, laptops, tablets, printers, cables, and more. Please note that paper shredding is available until the shred truck reaches capacity, and some items are not accepted.

We look forward to helping you securely dispose of old documents and electronics while keeping our community safe and sustainable.

Public Safety

Honda Air Bag Theft Alert

Neighbors, the Chicago Police Department continues to report air bag thefts involving Honda vehicles throughout the area. If you own a Honda, please remain vigilant and take extra precautions to protect your vehicle.

CPD has found that visible anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel clubs, are proving to be an effective deterrent. In many cases, vehicles equipped with these devices were bypassed by offenders, even when nearby vehicles were targeted.

A small investment in prevention can go a long way. Please consider using a steering wheel lock, parking in well-lit areas, and reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Working together, we can help keep our community safe and protect our property.

Stay Alert: Secretary of State Text Scams

Scammers are continuing to target Illinois residents with fake text messages claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State or the DMV. These messages often create a false sense of urgency by threatening license suspension, vehicle registration holds, or legal action if you don't act immediately.

Don't click the link or send payment. These messages are fraudulent.

If you receive a suspicious text, delete it and verify any claims directly through the Illinois Secretary of State's official website.

Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your personal information.

Block Club Resources

Free Jumping Jack for Summer Block Parties

Planning a summer block party? The City of Chicago’s Jumping Jack Program is back, offering free inflatable bounce houses for residential block parties across the city.

Applications open on Wednesday, April 15th, and events will run from May 23rd through September 6th on weekends. This is a great opportunity to bring neighbors together, create safe and fun spaces for our youth, and build stronger connections across the 21st Ward.

Please note: this program is only available for residential block parties, and requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

City, County, and State Resources

Business Resources

For more info and to apply, visit

http://Chicago.gov/RFPs.

Senior & Veteran Resources

Housing & Utility Resources

Youth Resources

Health Resources

Employment Opportunites

Looking for a career in public service? Explore open roles across local, county, and state agencies, covering administration, finance, operations, public safety, education, transportation, parks, and more.

City of Chicago Agencies

City of Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Transit Authority
Park District

Cook County Agencies

All - Cook County
Cook County State's Attorney
Cook County Sheriff's Office

State of Illinois Agencies

State of Illinois
Secretary of State of Illinois
PACE Bus System

Veterans Resources

Cook County Assessor’s Office

The Assessor’s Office administers both the Veterans with Disabilities and the Returning Veterans Exemptions, which can reduce the property tax bills of veterans.

The Veterans with Disabilities Exemption is for veterans with a service-connected disability.

The Returning Veterans Exemption is for veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict who are eligible to receive a reduction.