Dear Neighbor,

While it may not feel like it, last week officially marked the beginning of spring - and springtime means spring cleaning! On Saturday, our office partnered up with over 50 volunteers with the Trash People of Logan Square for a neighborhood clean-up in our 35th Ward. We met at Fireman’s Park at Kimball and Diversey, and spread out from there across Avondale and Logan Square. This was a great time, and we had the opportunity to clean up parkways in the area, clean up Fireman’s Park, and clear out sewers and stormwater drains in the area. We look forward to future neighborhood cleanups with the Trash People and other community groups in the area.

On that note, we want to take the opportunity to invite you to help submit city service requests to our office to contribute to our collective Ward-Wide Spring Cleaning.  After every winter when all of the snow and ice melts, it’s easier to notice sanitation and structural maintenance needs. Examples include garbage and debris over sewer grates, graffiti on walls and signs, potholes that grew, and other issues. Please call our office at (773) 985-3510, or email us at [email protected] with a detailed description of your city service request. Exact addresses and the type of request are very helpful. Thank you for your help!

Spring also marks our renewed dedication to the health and well-being of our planet with Earth Day festivities and neighborhood cleanups being planned. If you would like to organize a neighborhood clean-up in your area, or would like programming you are planning to be promoted in our newsletter, please reach out to my office so that we can assist. The Department of Streets and Sanitation lends supplies to neighbors who are organizing spring cleanings throughout the city. Additionally, the Chicago Park District is hosting Earth Day cleanups in parks across the city on April 18th. You can check out what parks are hosting clean-ups and sign up to volunteer here. 

My office is also partnering with the office of 26th Ward Alder Jessie Fuentes, Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and Openlands for a tree-planting event in Hermosa on April 25th. This will be a lovely opportunity for the community to come together and plant trees, in a part of our city that has been identified as a priority for tree planting due to low tree canopy coverage. 

If you or someone you know lives in Hermosa and would like a tree planted in front of your home, please email [email protected] by Monday March 30th. If you do not live in Hermosa or are not able to request a tree by Monday, please feel free to contact my office, and we can request a tree be planted by the Bureau of Forestry. Additionally, if you would like to volunteer on the day of the event, you can sign up here. 

Finally, a reminder that the 2026 Street Cleaning season begins on April 1st. This will begin the scheduled street cleaning, as well as parking restrictions posted on arterial streets. You can view the 2026 street cleaning schedule here. Please be mindful of posted parking restrictions.

I hope you and your family have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Anthony J. Quezada

Alderman, 35th Ward

Community Resources:

• Food Bank Locator and SNAP Updates

• Utility Billing and Relief

• Immigration Resources | Family Support Hotline 855-435-7693

• Parking Ticket Relief

• Tenants Rights Resources

Ward Updates

Ward Night

Our next ward night will be Monday, March 30, 2026. To schedule an appointment to meet with the Alderman, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (773)-985-3510 during our hours of operation (9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday).

Property Tax Exemption Applications Are Now Open

Exemption applications for 2025 are now open. Applications for the senior freeze exemption will be open until April 21st. If you are in need of assistance, please call our office to schedule an appointment to complete your exemption application. Each exemption requires different documents, so we encourage you to call ahead of your appointment to ensure you bring all required documents.

You can learn more about each of these exemptions, including eligibility requirements, on the Assessor's website at this link. You can check which exemptions you receive by entering your address or PIN at this link and clicking “Exemption History & Status.” In addition to filling for exemption for this year, you may still apply for any missing exemptions for 2024-2021. Please reach out to our office if you would like assistance checking which exemptions you receive or applying for exemptions for 2024-2021.

Kimball Avenue Arterial Resurfacing Project

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced that it will resurface Kimball Avenue between Diversey and Wellington Avenues. This project will include the repair of some of the pedestrian crossings and alley aprons as well as a full grind and repave of the street. Work will commence in April, and parking restrictions have been posted for Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm to allow for work to commence. Parking will be permitted in the evenings and weekend. If you have any questions regarding this resurfacing work, please contact the 35th Ward Office.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement at O’Hare International Airport

Earlier this week, the Chicago Department of Aviation was advised by the Transportation Security Administration Federal Security Director that the Department of Homeland Security would be deploying members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to several airports nationwide, including O’Hare. As of earlier this week, there were as many as 75 ICE agents deployed to O’Hare. The Department of Aviation is continuing to monitor the situation.

The National Immigration Law Center has released guidance for people traveling through airports and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has also released information in English and Spanish.

Department of Water Management Irving Park Work and Community Meeting

The Department of Water Management has planned work in the Irving Park community to replace aging water mains and sewers, and remove and replace lead service lines on certain blocks. This work is set to commence later this spring, and the 35th Ward will be hosting a community meeting with neighbors and the Department of Water Management to share plans and timelines and what to expect. The meeting will be on April 9th at 6 pm at Murphy School, located at 3539 W Grace in the auditorium.

The planned work includes replacing the water main on St. Louis, Bernard, and Kimball, between Addison and Elston, and replacing the sewer main on St. Louis, from Grace to Waveland, on Waveland from Central Park to Kimball, on Central Park and Drake from Waveland to 253’ north (see map below).

If you have any questions regarding this work, or the community meeting, please contact the 35th Ward Office at 773-985-3510 or [email protected].

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications open Wednesday, April 1 for the Kennedy/Kimball TIF District!

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and SomerCor will roll out the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant program for applications in the Kennedy/Kimball TIF district on Wednesday, April 1 at 9am.

The SBIF program uses revenue from TIF districts to help owners of commercial and industrial properties to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply on their own.

Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and

residential developers should not apply.

Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf and do not have to be repaid.

DPD and SomerCor will host an informational webinar to review program requirements and the application process.

SBIF Informational Webinar

1 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 | Register

For additional information, visit www.chicago.gov/sbif.

Hermosa Community Tree Planting Day

The 35th Ward Office is working with Openlands, an organization that works to protect our natural areas and our tree canopy, the 26th Ward Office, the Office of Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and Nixon Elementary on a tree-planting day on April 25th. We are working to identify Hermosa-area residents who are interested in having a tree planted in front of their home at no cost. Trees help our communities by reducing the urban heat island effect, cleaning the air, and absorbing rainwater.

The Hermosa neighborhood area has been identified as a high-priority area for tree planting, given its relatively low canopy coverage. On April 25th, we will come together to take action for our community!

If you are a Hermosa resident who would like a tree planted in front of your home please email [email protected] by Monday March 30th. If you would like to help out on the day of the event, register here. If you would like a tree planted in front of your home, but you do not live in the Hermosa community, please contact the 35th Ward Office for assistance at [email protected] or by call/text at 773-985-3510.  

Policy Updates

Request to Lift Liquor Moratorium for Reactivation of Former Crown Liquors Space, 2821 N Milwaukee Avenue

The 35th Ward Office has received a request to lift the moratorium on new consumption on premise liquor licenses on Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball and Central Park. Isaac Lieberman is seeking to lift the moratorium to establish a new tavern in the former Crown Liquors Space at 2821 N Milwaukee Ave. In line with 35th Ward Office policy, Mr. Lieberman attended the CAPS meeting for beat 1412 on Tuesday, Tuesday, Mar 24th, 2026 at 6:00 pm at VFW Post 2978, 3009 N Kedzie, to introduce himself and answer any questions from neighbors. In line with our process for evaluating requests to lift liquor moratoriums, we will accept feedback on this request for two weeks until Friday, April 10, at 5pm.  At the end of this two week period, the Alderman will determine whether to introduce an ordinance to lift the moratorium in City Council based on the feedback we receive. You can provide your feedback here.

Summer Youth Opportunities

Chicago Youth Works

Chicago Youth Works is a centralized hub for youth summer and year-round job and program opportunities. It also has more information for employers who are interested in participating in the program by hosting youth at their workplaces. You can find more information on their website.

Upcoming Community Events

Constituent Resources

35th Ward Office Phone Number: 773-985-3510

35th Ward Office Email: [email protected]

DSS recycling and garbage schedule:  chicagorecycles.org

Parking Zone Lookup:   http://smartchicago.github.io/zone-parking/  

Snow Plow Tracker: https://plow-tracker-chicago.hub.arcgis.com/

Street Sweeping Schedule: 2026 Street Cleaning Schedule

Street Sweeper Tracker: www.cityofchicago.org/sweepertracker

Street Sweeper “We The Sweeple” App: https://www.wethesweeple.com/Elected Official Lookup: https://chicagoelections.com/en/your-voter-information.html

Backyard service rodent abatement: (312) 746-5230

35th Ward Staff

Scott Jaburek - Chief of Staff

Alberto Cuevas - Ward Superintendent

Sara Rodriguez - Neighborhood Services Director

Chas Sirridge - Policy Director

Juan Cardenas - Neighborhood Services Advocate

Employment Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring! Check out open positions here.

People’s Gas is also hiring! You can find open positions in the region on their website.

The Chicago Department of Water Management is hiring for several positions including Laborer Apprentices and Machinists. You can find these and other open positions at the City of Chicago at www.cityofchicago.org/jobs.

LOSAH Center of Hope Accepting New Clients

The LOSAH Center of Hope community mental health clinic is now accepting new clients for individual, couples, and family therapy! Sessions are available in-person and virtually via telehealth. Clients must live in the service area - please enter your address into this link to see if you fall within our service area!

This contact form can be used to request services for yourself or a loved one, and for community partners to refer a client. LOSAH is available by phone at (773) 433-1995 if you have questions or need support.

Public Safety (CAPS) Meetings

CAPS meetings are an opportunity for residents to meet with the Community Engagement officers of their local police districts to discuss public safety concerns in their neighborhoods. The 35th ward includes portions of the 14th, 17th, and 25th districts of the Chicago Police Department. Visit the CPD website to find your beat.

CAPS Beat 2522 Thursday, April 2nd at 6:30pm at 2318 N Lavergne Ave