33RD WARD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 |
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Dear 33rd Ward Community,
When I was elected to office I made a firm commitment to bring our community along with me in every step of this work. I am filled with great pride that our 33rd Ward Office is staffed by leaders from our community that are willing to step up to help create every opportunity possible for our neighbors to be together, to learn about the ways they can get connected to each other, and to contribute to protecting our community.
This morning in our weekly staff meeting, we spent time together reflecting on what the “Resisting ICE” townhall from this past weekend meant to each of us, and in particular, how this event advanced the vision we hold for our office to be a safe space for community.
Our 33rd Ward Office staff are all deeply impacted by the attacks of the federal government on our community. Each of us wake up each day with our phones already buzzing with new alerts and information from neighbors afraid to leave for work, to take their children to school, or even simply to walk to the grocery store. Many of us are engaged in our local Rapid Response Network, where we are responding to moments of emergency from the moment we wake up until we collapse from exhaustion at the end of the day.
And we are not alone! Hundreds of our neighbors are doing this work with us every single day. For those of us deeply engaged in this moment, seeing the response from our community to come learn how to help was very moving. We also heard from so many guests of the townhall that this event was an important reminder for them, that while they are impacted by fear and uncertainty, seeing neighbors coming together was incredibly affirming and comforting. None of us are alone, and if you feel you have nowhere else to turn, please come to my office.
It is my hope that, in so many small ways, this townhall will inspire each of the 500+ guests to stay just a little bit more involved in helping each other. All of us with the 33rd Ward Office know that this event will empower more community leaders to rise to meet the moment, and we welcome you. Please continue to reach out to our team to learn more or to ask for support. We must continue to do this work together.
We concluded this powerful event with the following pledge. I encourage all of you to join in whatever ways you can, and look forward to connecting with more of you along the way.
“I pledge to defend my neighbors, to protect my community, to resist fear and division, to uplift joy and love, to build a movement for justice, and to fight for a future that liberates all of us. No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!” |
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Lastly, it was my great honor to welcome Irma Aragon to City Council yesterday as our ward’s guest for Latine Heritage Month. Irma founded Israel’s Gifts of Hope to help families navigate the incredible grief of loss from gun violence. Thank you Irma and to all of the supporters and volunteers with IGoH for everything you do to care for families across Chicago. City Council also passed several really important pieces of legislation yesterday. I look forward to sharing more updates with you all once more details fall into place. |
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Thank you for doing this work with me. You can always contact my office if you have any questions. We are here to help. |
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In solidarity, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez 33rd Ward Alderperson |
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33RD WARD OFFICE INFORMATION |
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Event details are listed in the newsletter below. September 25 - CTA Budget Townhall 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m, Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St
September 27 - Cleveland Elementary Back-to-School Fall Craft & Vendor Fair at 3121 W. Byron, 10:00am-4:00pm September 27 - Horner Park Farmers’ Market, 9am - 1pm, at the fieldhouse September 29 - Sage Brigade, 11am - 12:30pm at the 33rd Ward Office September 29 - PB Community Meeting, 7:00pm at the 33rd Ward Office
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City of Chicago Launches Family Preparedness Campaign IMMR will host virtual Family Preparedness workshops at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening throughout September. Residents are invited to register for the webinars online and can view additional information on IMMR’s website.
UPGRADED IMRR WEBSITE The City has also launched a newly enhanced IMRR website at www.chicago.gov/IMRR. Step-by-step, easy-to-follow guidance for immigrant families and individuals; User-friendly content and clear visuals; Resources tailored to immigrant and refugee communities, highlighting services and protections.
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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 by clicking here. |
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Community Meeting Announcement -
Proposal to lift the Liquor Moratorium at 3455 N Elston Ave Tuesday, October 7 at 4pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave. Registration is encouraged: www.bit.ly/ElstonMoratorium A link for feedback will be available for two weeks following meeting. |
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Neighbor NightNext: October 6 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm for appointments. The guest’s presentation will begin at 5:30pm and you do not need to have an appointment to join.
Guest: To be announced Location: To be announced
Guest presentations will begin at 5:30pm. Neighbor Nights will maintain an appointment-based schedule to meet with Alder Rodriguez Sanchez. Appointments with the alderwoman can be made by reaching out to [email protected].
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. We hope that these gatherings will be a place where you can get involved for the first time, or for those of you that are well-connected in the neighborhood to learn more about local organizations and stay up to date on work that is happening locally. |
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Participatory BudgetingCommunity Meeting - September 29, 7:00pm, 4747 N Sawyer Ave
If you would like to volunteer for this year’s Participatory Budgeting committee to review project proposals and develop our ballot, of if you would like to submit ideas for consideration by our PB committee, you can do so at our website: www.33rdward.org |
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Sage BrigadeMonday, September 29 from 11am - 12:30pm 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N Sawyer Ave.
Join the 33rd Ward Seniors Program for their upcoming meeting at the 33rd Ward Office to learn about utility billing assistance programs available to our neighbors. |
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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 Zoning page on our website by clicking here. |
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Current Proposals in Review
3240 W Lawrence Ave: |
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Zoning Decision Updates
3122 W Belmont/3203 N Troy:
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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 ChiStreetWork 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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Grid-Based Tree TrimmingThe Bureau of Forestry is no longer receiving individual tree trimming requests and has shifted to a grid-based maintenance schedule similar to the street sweeping schedule. You can view the map here. If you’re worried about the immediate safety of the area around a given tree due to its conditions, you can reach out to 311 or our office so the appropriate service request can be made. |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES |
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Lakeshore Brass - OktoberfestSaturday, October 4, 2025, from 4–7 PM at Concordia Place on Whipple, 3300 N. Whipple St.
The afternoon will feature live brass music, bratwursts, beer, and a festive community atmosphere. Additional information can also be found on the event page: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lakeshorebrass/1787925 |
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Luella’s Southern Kitchen Ribbon CuttingOctober 9 from 3-5pm 4114 N Kedzie |
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Kedzie Center Community Needs AssessmentAfter 10 years of providing accessible mental health care to Chicago’s North River area, we’re conducting a comprehensive assessment to ensure we’re meeting our community’s needs.
If you live in Albany Park, Irving Park, North Park, or Sauganash, please consider taking our survey or joining a focus group to let us know what YOU need. All participants will have the chance to win $50 gift card to a local business. Share with your neighbors and help us provide quality care to our North River community. |
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Free Community Meals - Second SundaySunday, October 12; Sunday, November 9; Sunday, December 14 2nd Sunday of each month, 6-7pm Holy Family Hall (basement of Queen of Angels Church), 2330 W. Sunnyside.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul invites you and the members of your household to a new free Community Meal. Come, relax, and share a hot meal with other members of the community! Pick up a to-go bag with a packed lunch to eat the next day.
If you have questions, please call the Queen of Apostles Parish Office at 773-539-7510. Leave a message and the team will call you back. |
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Help Support Local Latino Queer Film MakerDonate to their Go Fund Me
Castaway is rooted in my own journey of growing up in a Latinx, Catholic community while navigating my queerness and fighting to live authentically. It draws from the profound inner conflict I have faced when I was navigating my self discovery during my Catholic days as a young adolescent. I realized after growing up, there wasn't much representation of someone like me who was navigating their queerness in a religious Mexican household. I wanted to write something that would help shed light on the isolation queer people often experience in spaces that cannot or will not fully embrace them. As I have gotten older, I started to separate myself from being catholic to understand what my values were and what I wanted to believe in. |
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CityWide Career FairWednesday, September 24, 2025 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Event Address: Malcolm X College Conference Center, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612 Registration Encouraged |
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Notice to Tenants of Gary Carlson BuildingsOur office has received many calls from tenants concerned about what Gary Carlson’s passing means for them and their housing. We want to assure you that we have already met with the management company, as well as with community partners, to make sure tenants are supported and protected during this transition. We will continue working with the management company and city departments to advocate for the protection of our neighbors.
Please be advised, management will be sending notices to tenants with relevant contact information for building management and to report the need for services.
In the meantime, if you are experiencing challenges in paying your rent, have questions about your lease, or need support understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, please contact our Director of Zoning and Housing, Rebecca Rios, at [email protected] or (773) 840-7880. We are here to guide you and connect you to trusted community partners who specialize in tenant rights and housing support: Autonomous Tenants Union (ATU) – Albany Park Tenant Hotline: (872) 216-5288 Communities United – Housing Rights for both Tenants and Homeowners: (773) 583-1387 Law Center for Better Housing – Retaliation and Eviction Defense: (312) 347-7600 Metropolitan Tenants Organization – Tenants’ Rights Hotline: (773) 292-4988
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Survey by Haugan SchoolHaugan school has created a survey to measure public support for the possible uses for the space vacated by Haugan Aspira. Here is the link: https://forms.gle/xE4qpyCXbjy75FYFA |
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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 www.albanyparkmutualaid.com. |
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Connect with our local Chamber of CommerceSign up for the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce newsletter by clicking here. |
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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 and fliers by clicking here. You can review the following helpful calendars for an overview of events: Veteran Event Calendar. |
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Cleveland Elementary Back-to-School Fall Craft & Vendor FairSaturday, September 27 from 10-4pm |
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National Immigration Justice Center Halloween Costume Contest October 11 from 10:30-12pm Horner Park
Please join us by registering here. The costume contest categories include: Best Individual Adult Costume, Best Individual Child Costume, Best Group Costume. Participants will be ranked on the following criteria: Creativity, Execution, Pizzazz!
Our judges will include Chicago community members who are doing the hard work to support our immigrant/migrant neighbors. Light refreshments/snacks will be served. |
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GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
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Chicago Emergency Supplemental Victims FundThe City of Chicago’s Emergency Supplemental Victims Fund (ESVF) pilot provides financial assistance in set amounts to survivors and their families to alleviate the immediate financial impacts of fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents. Launched in December 2022, the pilot's goal is to combat the immediate financial impacts and trauma inflicted on those who experience loss from gun violence. Learn more by clicking here.
Community Development GrantsThe City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Small, Medium and Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards. CDGs use proceeds from the 2024 Housing and Development Bond and other funding sources to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents. Applications are open to business owners, property owners, non-profit organizations, community developers and entrepreneurs. |
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Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago. |
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Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips Available at Our Ward OfficeOur office has been certified to distribute Narcan and Fentanyl testing resources to our community. You can stop by during our open hours or reach out to [email protected] for more information. |
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My office believes that the best approach to community safety requires us all to participate in conversation together, to learn about each others’ needs and find ways to support each person. We encourage everyone to participate in the work of the CCPSA and your local District Council and attend your regular beat meetings (CAPS). Click here to view our Community Safety Resource page. |
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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 Ariana Aguilar, Neighborhood Services Representative Eric Ramos, Ward Superintendent |
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DO YOU HAVE NEWS TO SHARE? |
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We are always trying to improve our communication! If you have information to share with the community, we would like to know! To submit an item for our weekly newsletter, please send an email with the event details including date, time, and location, and a brief written description. Any photos should be submitted in .JPEG format. Please submit by 5pm on Thursday. |
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