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36th Ward Newsletter for May 2026

Gilbert Villegas Ward 36 📞 773-745-4636 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 6/10
zoning_or_development_meeting_or_approval city_budget

Summary

Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) highlighted progress on the zoning front, saying the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards cleared the zoning backlog after a second May meeting. He also supported the Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) Ordinance to create a citywide online hub for affordable housing options, introduced ordinances to strengthen penalties around auto airbag theft, and submitted a resolution honoring Chief William “Wil” Betancourt. Other updates include Memorial Day–related trash/recycling pickup schedule and office closures, along with upcoming events such as the Cook County Job Fair (May 27), Vet Connect (June 2 and 16), and a car seat check-up (June 9).

36th Ward Newsletter for May 2026
36th Ward Newsletter:

May 2026

Dear Neighbors, 

As we prepare for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, I want to share a reminder about the adjusted holiday schedule Streets and Sanitation will be using for trash and recycling pick up. See the schedule by clicking on the link here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We will be closed Monday, May 25th, and re-open with regular business hours on Tuesday. Wishing everyone a fun and festive weekend! 

On a different note, if you have any requests for potholes or road resurfacing, please contact my office, and my staff can assist you in getting that request made so that the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) comes out. There are a number of street resurfacing projects queued up for this construction season. You can call our office and ask for Christian, our CDOT liaison, for the most up-to-date projects. 

Lastly, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone in the community for continuously showing up for our recurring Vet Connect events. Led by our staff Member Marcos, an Army Veteran, these bi-weekly events happen every month and have seen a consistent amount of engagement each time. I frequently share my story of returning from my time serving, having little to no guidance, difficulty finding work, and troubles finding resources. When we show up for our Veterans, we reaffirm our thanks to them for their service. These events will continue to occur every month, and you can stay tuned here or on my social media for the June dates. 

Thank you, as always, for allowing me to serve as your Alderman. 

Sincerely,

Alderman Gilbert Villegas 36th Ward


Office Hours in the 36th Ward! ⏰
  • Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Please note: our offices are closed for lunch between 12:45-1:30pm Monday and Wednesday and 1:45-2:30pm Tuesday and Thursday.
 

VISIT OUR OFFICES:

⭐ 36th Ward Belmont Cragin Office
6560 W Fullerton Ave
Unit # C118 - Suite A
Chicago, IL 60707

⭐ 36th Ward West Town Office
2246 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
 


Upcoming Events in the 36th Ward:

💼 Cook County Government Job Fair: May 27 at 9:30 AM: Palmer House Hilton | 124 S. Wabash Ave.

🪖 Vet Connect: June 2 & June 16 at 12:00 PM: Belmont Cragin Office

👶 Car Seat Check-Up: June 9 at 10:00 AM: St. Ferdinand Catholic Church Parking Lot | 5900 W. Barry Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

✄ 36TH WARD SHRED-A-TON: July 18 at 10:00 AM: Belmont Cragin Office
 

CONTACT THE 36TH WARD OFFICE

For all service requests and questions, call our office at 773-745-4636 or send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name, home address, and phone number so my staff can best assist you.

As a reminder, we have two 36th Ward Offices to serve our constituents: one in West Town, and one in Belmont Cragin.

We are closed for lunch from 12:45pm to 1:30pm Monday, Wednesday and 1:45pm to 2:30pm Tuesday, Thursday. Stop by to ask questions and get connected to resources!

Sincerely,

Alderman Gilbert Villegas & the 36th Ward Team
 
36th Ward Upcoming Events Flyers
POLICY UPDATES FROM ALDERMAN VILLEGAS

🏗️ Zoning Backlog Cleared!


The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards officially CLEARED the backlog from the past several months with our second meeting this May.

Thank you to my colleagues, city departments, subject-matter experts, and the community for ensuring these past two meetings were efficient and thorough. 

The full report has been shared and passed at the City Council.

You can watch the full video of the second meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/4upj8zej


🏠 Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) Ordinance


I was proud to support the Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) Ordinance. Initiating a pilot program in the City of Chicago to create a central online hub for affordable housing options citywide. 

Growing up, my family used to go neighborhood to neighborhood trying to figure out what affordable housing options were available. This legislation takes a step in the direction of improving that by creating a one-stop shop online dashboard. 

This is especially important for the Veteran unhoused community, a group that so many people bring up when discussing homelessness in the city. 

I am thankful for my colleagues' support and look forward to working on this more as the pilot program advances. 

▶️ You can watch my full remarks linked here

🚙 Introduced Ordinance to Crack Down on Auto Airbag Theft

It’s past time to crack down on illegal airbag trafficking and auto theft.

This past City Council, I introduced legislation that strengthens penalties, increases accountability, and helps keep dangerous counterfeit airbags off our streets and out of our vehicles. 

Public safety comes first, and we will not tolerate criminals profiting at the expense of Chicago residents.

✍🏽 Read the full ordinance linked here

🚔 Submitted Resolution in Honor and Remembrance of Chief William "Wil" Betancourt

Deputy Chief William Betancourt worked closely with the 36th Ward Office for many years. He was deeply dedicated to public safety and doing what he could for the betterment of our community. 

Chief Betancourt never skipped a beat. His passion for his work is something to be admired. We miss him dearly and again send our thoughts and prayers to his family. 

May he Rest in Peace. 

➡️ Read the full honorary resolution linked here
RESOURCES
PROMOTING COMMUNITY SAFETY

- Our office works closely with the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office to respond to crimes and keep our residents safe.
- As a reminder, always CALL 911 whenever you see a crime or suspicious activity occurring. That is the only way for CPD to know when & where to target their responses.
- Attend a community meeting with your Police District! At the bottom of this email, you will find the CAPS Police Beat Meeting Schedules for the 11th, 12th, 16th, and 25th Police Districts. Find your Police District & Beat here: operations.chicagopolice.org/FindMyDistrict
POLICE BEAT MEETING
SCHEDULES FOR 2025:
11th, 12th, 16th, and 25th Districts
11th District Schedule:
12th District Schedule:
16th District Schedule:
25th District Schedule:
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36th Ward Alderman · 6934 W Diversey Ave · Chicago, Illinois 60707 · USA