33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 16, 2026 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community,
“We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or a violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace… throughout the… world. Let us begin now. Let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful struggle for a new world.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Beyond Vietnam” speech delivered at New York’s Riverside Church on April 4, 1967. []
This past Monday, we took time to honor the legacy of one of our nation’s most important leaders and organizers. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to uniting people across our country to see each other’s humanity, to respect each other’s power, and to organize together to end racism, poverty, and state violence and all its forms of oppression.
This week, I am reading with tears in my eyes, reports from Minneapolis of ICE agents , taking children from schools, , .
As Chair of the Chicago Council Committee on Health and Human Relations, I will be convening a hearing on Tuesday, January 27 to hear testimony from community members directly impacted by the disregard for civil rights and liberties by the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign. We will be joined by representatives from Minneapolis and St. Paul, to learn from their experiences as we prepare to defend our neighbors from ICE’s new enforcement tactics.
If you would like to submit written testimony, or have any questions, it can be sent via email to the committee at [email protected] by 1 pm on January 26th. You can also attend the meeting and deliver in-person testimony by attending the meeting on January 27th and arriving by 9:30 AM.
Throughout this week, my staff and I worked to secure shelter for many of our unhoused neighbors ahead of the bitter, deadly cold. Today, my staff and I drove around the ward hoping to locate anyone that we have not been able to help throughout the week and connect them with emergency shelter and resources. As I and my team work around the clock to secure the simplest human need, shelter, our federal government is working to undermine the health and wellbeing of those of its own citizens.
Through all of this, our neighbors continue to come together. Thank you to everyone that has helped this week by opening your space for shelter, worked to care for any of your neighbors, or made donations of supplies or resources to keep each other safe.
Lastly, I would like to extend an invitation to the upcoming Winter Mercadito, to help support our local business community of street vendors and small businesses. You can join my office, in partnership with Latino Union of Chicago and North River Commission, at Movement on Montrose between 3:00-7:00pm on February 7th. |
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I encourage you to please contact my office should you need any support, we are here to help. Our community has also organized many amazing events and opportunities for us to be together. Please review the remainder of this newsletter to learn more.
Thank you for doing this work with me. |
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In solidarity, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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Local Mutual Aid, Donation Drives, and Food Distribution | | |
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Free Vaccination Clinics through CDPH: |
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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 / |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. January 26 — Neighbor Night at the 33rd Ward Office; Appointments available by email at [email protected] from 4:30-5:30pm; Ward Office Open House at 5:30pm January 26 — Senator Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual), 6-7pm, r
January 27 — Racial Healing Circle, 6-7:30pm, LoSAH Center of Hope, January 29 — Deadline to Vote for Community Choice Awards - January 31 — APMA Game Night, 5:30-9:00pm, 3600 Irving Park Rd February 12 — RHS Arts and Culture Night, 4:30-6:30pm February 13 — Free Meals - Each 2nd Friday at Christ Lutheran Church, 5:30pm - 7:00pm February 26 — Community Choice Awards Celebration, 6-9pm, 2951 W Montrose
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Provide Feedback to 5 Year Homelessness PlanThe Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate met to receive a presentation by our Chief Homelessness Officer regarding the city’s new This plan envisions a future for Chicago in which homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring, and in which responses are rooted in compassion and dignity.
Recent shifts in federal policy underscore how urgently Chicago needs a coordinated, locally anchored, solutions-oriented strategy to overcome homelessness. Funding threats place long-standing housing programs and the stability of thousands of residents at direct risk. Chicago must continue investing in what works like, permanent housing, proactive homelessness prevention, integrated health and behavioral health care, and strong coordination across support systems. |
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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: Follow our local rapid response social media: @northwestsiderrt on Instagram 33rd Ward Resource Page at
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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 . |
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Neighbor NightUpcoming Neighbor Night: Monday, January 26 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 4:30-5:30pm by appointment only. Call or email our office for an appointment at 773-840-7880 or [email protected]. Beginning at 5:30 we will have a ward office open house. All are welcome to join.
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]. |
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Participatory BudgetingWe are currently finalizing this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot and look forward to beginning the voting process later this month! Please watch for updates. You can learn more about PB and review results from previous years on our website |
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33rd Ward Snow Shoveling ProgramYou can sign up to help a neighbor with their snow shoveling or sign up to ask for help by , calling our office at 773-840-7880, or emailing our office at [email protected]. We will help to pair you with a neighbor for the duration of the winter season. |
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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 . |
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Current Proposals in Review3446 W Irving Park – Status: Community Review Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B2-3 |
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Completed Proposals
3240 W Lawrence Ave – Status: Supported Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B1-2 to B2-5
3039 W Irving Park – Status: Supported Application Type: Type 1 Change Request: B3-1 to B2-3 |
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INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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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 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES |
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Racial Healing CircleTuesday, January 27, 6-7:30pm LoSAH Center of Hope, 3555 W Armitage Ave |
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RHS Arts and Culture NightFebruary 12, from 4:30-6:30pm |
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Senator Graciela Guzman’s Legislative Townhall Series (Virtual)The last Monday of every month, from 6-7pm Upcoming Dates: January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, May 25
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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Apply for CCPSADeadline: February 6, 2026
The District Council Nominating Committee is seeking to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) and is set to open applications for interested candidates on January 7, 2026. These vacancies become effective in the summer of 2026 at the conclusion of the 2-year terms served by three current Commissioners. This nomination process opens up a unique opportunity for young people given that two of three vacancies must be filled by youth ages 18 to 24.
The Nominating Committee will open the applications for these vacancies on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The application period will remain open for thirty days, closing on February 6, 2026. After the deadline, the Committee will thoroughly review all submissions, conduct interviews with selected finalists, and nominate at least six individuals for the three vacancies on the Commission. Once nominated, the Mayor will select three individuals to serve on the Commission from those nominated by the Committee.
The Committee will be holding a series of virtual informational sessions for interested applicants. For more information, on these sessions, the Nominating Committee, and the comments can be directed to [email protected]. |
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Free Meal - “Gather Together”
Each 2nd Friday until June 2026 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Christ Lutheran Church, 4541 N Spaulding |
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APMA Game NightJanuary 31, from 5:30 - 9:00pm
3600 W Irving Park Road |
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Cleveland Elementary - Glow PartyFebruary 27 from 5:30-7:30pm Ticket Presale begins on February 1. |
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Our 33rd Ward Office maintains 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 . 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 . |
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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 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Available at Our Ward OfficeThey 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 |
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Connect with our local schoolsConnect with our local schools by accessing a list of schools on . |
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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 . |
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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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