← Back to newsletters
Sign in Sign up for alerts

3rd Ward E-News for 1/12/26

Pat Dowell Ward 3 📞 773-373-9273 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 1/10

Summary

The Third Ward aldermanic office highlights upcoming SNAP benefit changes effective February 1 and a Property‑Tax Savings webinar, urging residents to update their information and stay informed. It also announces two major state grant initiatives: a $50 million Restore, Reinvest, Renew program for historically underserved communities and a new CEJA Capacity Grant program launching in 2026 to support clean‑energy workforce development. No zoning, development, budget, transit, or street‑safety updates were included in this issue.

Email from Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward

In This Issue

  • Property Tax Savings Webinar
  • SNAP Rules Changing February 1st
  • State of Illinois Restore, Reinvest, Renew Program Grants
  • State of Illinois CEJA Capacity Grant

Important Changes to SNAP Benefits Coming February 1. Take Action Now!


The federal government passed a new law that makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Link in Illinois. Follow these steps by February 1st so you don't lose your food and grocery benefits:


  1. : Report any changes in your income or changes to y our household to the Illinois Department of Human Services
  2. : Find out if you need to be connected to a job, volunteer opportunity or education and training program for at least 80 hours per month. If you qualify for an exemption, apply for one.
  3. Get the latest updates and share this information with family and friends.


Don't wait until your benefits stop. Take action today!


Support is available. No one should go hungry because of paperwork. Visit the to get help managing your benefits or to sign up for SNAP today.
il seal

ICJIA Announces $50 Million to Restore Communities Impacted by Systemic Racism and Disinvestment


The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) announced two funding opportunities for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program, totaling $50 million in grants to historically underserved communities. ICJIA will allocate $35 million to support community reentry from the criminal legal system, economic development, and civil legal aid programs, with another $15 million allocated to support youth development and violence prevention initiatives.


R3 grant eligibility is evaluated every four years using mapped Census data and community-level data on gun injury, child poverty, unemployment, and state prison commitments and returns. Areas identified by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as disproportionately impacted areas are also eligible. The current eligibility map identifies more than 900 eligible R3 areas.


Newer organizations often face challenges in managing grant administration, financial compliance, data tracking, and strategic leadership, diverting critical resources and time away from direct intervention work. ICJIA’s Institute to Innovate (i2i) program offers tailored grant readiness and administration, organizational development, and performance and data management training designed to set R3 grantees up for success. Since its inception in 2021, ICJIA has awarded more than $330 million in R3 grant funding to community organizations across Illinois.


Application materials, including instructions for applying, are available at . Applications must be submitted by March 6, 2026.
il seal

Introducing the CEJA Capacity Grant


The Workforce Policy Lab, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is excited to introduce the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Capacity Grant Program—a bold new initiative to strengthen a more inclusive and resilient clean energy future for Illinois.


Launching in 2026, this program will provide current and prospective DCEO CEJA grantees and sub-grantees with robust capacity-building support, along with grant awards starting at $100,000. This direct investment will empower 501(c)(3) organizations across the state to scale clean energy workforce development, expand contractor opportunities, and drive equitable economic growth in communities statewide.


Ways to get involved include:


1. Join the Amplifier Session on January 28, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 AM, where you’ll learn about the CEJA Capacity Grant Program model and help identify potential applicants who can make a lasting impact in their communities. Register for the CEJA Capacity Grant Program Amplifier Session

2. Visit the program to explore program details and stay informed about opportunities and updates.

3. Share the interest form found on the program website with your network so they can be the first to hear about the CEJA Capacity Grant when the opportunity goes live in February. 

Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward | 5046 South State Street | Chicago, IL 60609 US
Constant Contact