Neighbors, 

This week we continue our conversation on housing. Our ward has been rapidly changing, and to better understand displacement and housing affordability in the 26th ward, we’re embarking on a new partnership with UIC. We also cut the ribbon on 26 renovated affordable units right across the street from Humboldt Park. Additionally, we’ll recap our very first Senior Committee meeting and give a quick tip on getting broken/chewed up black trash bins replaced for free through 311.

Looking Deeper at Housing and Displacement in the 26th Ward

Being thoughtful about development means looking beyond what is immediately in front of us. The 26th Ward is growing and changing, and I have an opportunity to make sure that change strengthens communities without costin longtime residents their place in them.

Since taking office, I have introduced and advanced more than 500 affordable homes across the 26th Ward, with the broader affordable housing pipeline now exceeding 800 units. Nearly 200 of those homes are already open, with hundreds more moving through different stages of development. We are proud of that work, and we are going to keep fighting for more affordable housing. We also know that the number of affordable units we create is only one part of the story.

Housing can be called affordable and still be out of reach for the people who live here. A neighborhood can gain new housing while longtime residents are simultaneously struggling to remain in it. Development can bring new people and opportunities into a community while rising costs quietly push others out. That is why we have to look deeper. 

Displacement is not always one dramatic moment where someone is forced to leave. It can happen slowly, as rents increase, property taxes rise, familiar housing options disappear, and families find that the neighborhood they have called home for decades is becoming a place they can no longer afford. If we are serious about preventing displacement, we have to understand those changes as they are in motion, not after the people most affected by them are already gone.

Data-driven decision making is paramount, which is why I am excited to partner with UIC’s Great Cities Institute to deepen my understanding of housing affordability and displacement across the 26th Ward. Through this partnership, we will take a closer look at the housing realities facing residents and how those realities are changing across the different neighborhoods that make up the ward. The purpose is simple: to better understand what communities are experiencing so that the decisions made about their future are grounded in the people who live here. 

I am eager to see where this work can take us as a ward. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to development, just as there is no single story of housing or displacement across the 26th Ward. Taking the time to understand those differences is not standing in the way of growth; it is how we make sure growth is more intentional and sustainable.

I want new housing, vacant properties brought back to life, and investment in communities that have gone without it for far too long. I want new neighbors to find a home here, but the future of the 26th Ward cannot require the displacement of the people who made these neighborhoods worth investing in. I believe it is possible to grow without pushing people out and that development can respond to housing needs while respecting the communities it enters. I believe that when given the opportunity to make decisions that could shape a neighborhood for generations, taking the time to understand what is happening around us is not hesitation. It is my responsibility.

Ribbon Cut! Boulevard Apartments Preservation Project

This week, I joined Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Department of Housing Commissioner Casteñeda, and community members to celebrate the completion of the Boulevard Apartments Preservation project, protecting 70 affordable homes in Humboldt Park and Logan Square. Preserving affordable housing is just as important as building it. These are homes where families have already built their lives, and this rehabilitation ensures they can remain affordable, safe, and sustainable for years to come. I am proud to celebrate a project that invests in our people and neighborhoods.

Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) Updates

Like all important legislation, community input is a vital part of the theory of change. Over the past two years, the Mayor’s office has been meeting with renters, landlords, real estate associations, direct service providers, housing developers, city department leaders, and community to best understand the ways the city’s housing laws should be updated. Since the Protecting Renters Ordinance was introduced, there have been a number of changes. Thank you to all who have reached out to my office to share their opinions.

Negotiations will go well into next week, but as it stands, here are some of the highlights and changes to PRO:

• Creation of a rental registry

• Rental registry tiered fees – no fees for owner-occupied buildings with fewer than 6 units, units owned and operated by non-profits, and affordable housing units

• Addition of Tenant Bill of Rights

• Development of the Bureau of Rental Housing Services to support landlords and tenants 

• Removal of Just Cause for Eviction and relocation assistance

The goal of PRO remains the same: ensure everyone has access to safe and stable housing. Here are the facts: Most people who live in Chicago are renters. Homeownership does not equitably reflect the demographics of our residents. We all want to be good neighbors.

Coalitions we know and trust are in support of PRO—read Strong Towns Chicago’s endorsement. They include: Access Living, Autonomous Tenants Union, Center for Disability and Elder Law, Chicago Housing Initiative, Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, Chicago Teachers Union, Elevated Chicago, Garfield Park Community Council, Grassroots Collaborative, Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, Healthy Homes Coalition, Impact for Equity, Institute for Public Good, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Just Cause Coalition, Law Center for Better Housing, Legal Action Chicago, Legal Aid, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Metropolitan Planning Council, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, One Northside, Northside Action 4 Justice, Palenque LSNA, Strong Towns Chicago, The Network, The Resurrection Project, and Uptown People's Law Center.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to develop final legislation we can all support.

26th Ward Senior Committee Kicks Off!

This Wednesday, we held our first Senior Committee meeting at Mozart Park! Seniors shared their ideas for making the 26th Ward a better place to age, including creating more opportunities to connect and build community, and provided feedback on our upcoming Senior Wellness Fair. The Senior Committee gives older adults a direct voice in shaping ward priorities, services, and initiatives that impact their lives. Our next meeting will be October 21, from 12-1 PM at Mozart Park.

Black Bin Removal

Did you know, if you’re a Chicago resident who receives trash collection from the City of Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation, you can request a new trash bin for FREE?

If your black trash bin is broken, cracked or has holes in it, don’t wait for it to become a bigger problem. Damaged bins can make it easier for rodents to access trash, creating an issue in your alley. By replacing your bin, we can reduce issues.

Need a new black trash bin? Submit a 311 request for “Garbage Cart Maintenance”. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s our part as residents of the 26th Ward to keep our community clean and safe.

Uplifting Asif Amin Cheema: One Year After Midway Blitz 

Finally, thank you to Rabia for once again inviting my office to join her family as they reflected on one year since their beloved patriarch was detained and later deported. Keep fighting, and know my office is here to support you.

In Solidarity,

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes

26th Ward Office Updates

Community Resources

26th Ward Events

Immigration Rights Resources

Construction Projects

26th Ward Zoning

During the month of September, our office will pause the intake and review of new zoning change requests and development proposals. Regular zoning intake and review will resume in October.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and look forward to continuing to work with residents, businesses, and community partners through our community-centered zoning process.

Reproductive Justice

If you know someone looking for reproductive justice resources in Chicago, they can go to this Department of Public Health resource page to use the City’s digital community resource directory. There is also a free talkline (1-888-493-0092) where operators are available to share information on various reproductive justice options.