Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) joined housing advocates urging that Chicago’s FY2027 budget fund rental assistance, housing for people exiting homelessness, and homelessness services; the newsletter also announces a Humboldt Park town hall on October 26. A new $2.63 million Small Business Improvement Fund grant round for the Pulaski Corridor TIF opens November 1. Other announcements include a Senior Wellness Fair, community soil lead testing, and the office’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day closure.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights zoning and housing impacts from major investments, including the need to “invest without displacement,” and notes ward economic development updates such as the openings/redevelopment of several commercial sites (e.g., Ivy Hall, LYFE’s reuse at 2735 W. North Ave., Chicago Flower Market, and redevelopment at 3347 W. North Ave.). On the City Council side, she reports a special meeting on the Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO), the sale of parking meters, and a bond issuance threshold change, stating the PRO vote was delayed while negotiations continue; she also invites residents to provide input for upcoming budget hearings. Other major items include a City-provided clean-water sewer project on Kedzie and Division expected to be completed by end of October, plus events such as Solidarity Day for people experiencing homelessness (Oct. 10), a property tax appeal assistance day (Oct. 8), and a Senior Wellness Fair (Oct. 15).
In the 26th Ward, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes reflects on zoning and displacement impacts, highlighting new and ongoing commercial redevelopment in the ward (e.g., Ivy Hall on Armitage, LYFE’s reuse at 2735 W. North Ave., Chicago Flower Market’s permanent site, and redevelopment at 3347 W. North Ave.). She also reports a special City Council meeting covering the Protecting Renters Ordinance (delayed), the sale of parking meters (with Progressive Caucus guarantees about data sharing and Stonepeak), and a bond issuance threshold change, and notes she will solicit constituent input for upcoming budget hearings.
Other announcements include hosting Solidarity Day on Oct. 10 for people experiencing homelessness and Socktober sock donations during October, plus a property tax appeal help event on Oct. 8, a Senior Wellness Fair on Oct. 15, and sewer main construction on Kedzie and Division expected to be completed by end of October.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights community-led zoning map amendment decisions and reports that this week’s City Council meeting advanced two projects: Humboldt Village (103 permanently affordable homes) and the former 3300 W. Pierce church (20 new homes, including 6 affordable units), after community zoning review. She also notes that her office is focused on affordability and parking/density concerns through the Zoning Advisory Committee and community meetings, and shares updates from City Hall on pushing for a people-first 2027 budget through the People’s Unity Platform and from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez’s Reimagining Safety Act. Other announcements include a “last day” reminder to submit participatory budgeting ideas (through Sept. 30) and recognition of Edwin Castillo with a Cook County Community Impact Award.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights zoning map amendments and the community process that has approved 40+ zoning change requests since 2023, including City Council action moving Humboldt Village (103 permanently affordable homes) and the former church at 3300 W. Pierce (20 homes) forward. She also updates on budget advocacy at City Hall through the People’s Unity Platform ahead of the mayor’s October presentation of an $882 million deficit budget, and supports Congresswoman Delia Ramirez’s Reimagining Safety Act. Other announcements include the September 30 deadline for submitting participatory budgeting ideas, a Community Impact Award for Edwin Castillo, and general office updates and construction/zoning intake notices for the ward.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights housing-focused work, including a ribbon cutting for the Boulevard Apartments Preservation project that preserved 70 affordable homes in Humboldt Park and Logan Square. She also provides PRO (Protecting Renters Ordinance) updates—negotiations continuing into next week—and lists major policy components such as creating a rental registry (with tiered fees), adding a Tenant Bill of Rights, establishing the Bureau of Rental Housing Services, and removing just-cause eviction with relocation assistance. Other notes include the kickoff of the 26th Ward Senior Committee (next meeting Oct. 21) and a reminder that damaged black trash bins can be replaced for free via 311.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights ongoing zoning and development concerns, including a Sept. 24, 6–7:30 PM community meeting about a proposed zoning change at 2735 W North Ave to allow an adult-use cannabis dispensary, and notes September’s pause on new zoning intake/review. She also points residents to updated housing protections under the Protecting Renters Ordinance and urges eviction prevention and housing access initiatives like Home Sharing.
Other major items include the one-year commemoration of Operation Midway Blitz, launching a seniors-only committee with a Sept. 16 meeting at Mozart Park, and Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail receiving Level 1 ArbNet arboretum accreditation for an official urban arboretum; she also invites donations to send water to Puerto Rico amid an island-wide water crisis.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) focused on zoning and housing decisions, emphasizing that approvals should be driven by affordability, environmental/material impacts, and resident needs—not aesthetics—and noted recent updates related to the Protecting Renters Ordinance. She also announced a community zoning meeting on Sept. 24 (6–7:30 PM) at Wright College Humboldt Park for a proposed zoning change at 2735 W North Ave to convert a vacant building into an adult-use cannabis dispensary, and said September will pause intake/review of new zoning change requests.
Other announcements include marking one year of Resistance to Operation Midway Blitz, launching a seniors-only committee with a first meeting Sept. 16 at Mozart Park, celebrating 606 Bloomingdale Trail’s Level 1 ArbNet arboretum accreditation, and a call for donations to send water to Puerto Rico amid the island’s water crisis.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlighted CTA service improvements, including earlier #70 Division weekday bus starts and extended #73 Armitage weekend service. She also noted that during September her office is pausing intake/review of new zoning and development proposals, and urged residents to watch for property tax bill support for eligible seniors through County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez. Other major items included joining/organizing around ICE rapid responders and a St. Mary of Nazareth nurses’ picket, plus upcoming events like Fiesta Boricua and the Sept. 13 Attic to Artisan market fundraiser; the office is closed for Labor Day on Sept. 7–8.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) reports joining rapid responders to discuss ICE tactics affecting northwest side immigrant families and supporting nurses on the picket line for a fair contract at St. Mary of Nazareth. She also highlights CTA service improvements on the #70 Division and #73 Armitage routes, upcoming senior property tax bill support, and notes that the 26th Ward office will pause intake/review of new zoning and development proposals in September. Other major announcements include Fiesta Boricua and an HPAC Artisan Market on Sept. 13, plus office closures for Labor Day (Sept. 7–8).
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlighted a September 3 community meeting on a proposed zoning change at 3601 W. Cortland St. to convert a vacant Teen Challenge building into a residential development with affordable housing units, and described community safety efforts related to disturbances on Division Street through partnerships and a recent emergency meeting with the 12th Police District. She also noted the Mayor’s executive order tightening ethical and contracting disclosure requirements for companies doing business with the City.
Other announcements included free mammograms and health screenings at the Humboldt Park Boathouse through September 4, a ribbon-cutting for Humboldt Park’s new football field, and Fiesta Boricua on September 5–6.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights a 9/3 community meeting about a proposed zoning change at 3601 W. Cortland St. that would convert the vacant Teen Challenge building into a residential affordable housing development, and discusses ongoing community safety efforts addressing Division Street disturbances. The newsletter also notes the Mayor’s executive order requiring city contractors to disclose certain large federal/law enforcement contracts and allegations involving wage theft, civil rights, and excessive force.
Other updates include free mammograms and health screenings running through Sept. 4 at the Humboldt Park Boathouse, the ribbon-cutting for Humboldt Park’s new football field, and Fiesta Boricua on Sept. 5–6.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) recapped a Logan Square Town Hall and a zoning community meeting, including a proposed redevelopment at 3208–16 W. Armitage (5-story, 38 units with 11 affordable units) and a reminder that the 26th Ward’s community-led zoning intake/feedback process remains open through Oct. 1. The newsletter also highlights participatory budgeting being open for ideas, urges residents to report suspicious activity at the Humboldt Park site slated for 103 affordable homes, and shares a range of city/process updates and resources.
Other major items include a GoFundMe support effort for the Alvarez family after a devastating fire, free mobile mammogram screenings at the Humboldt Park Boathouse (Aug. 24–Sept. 4, excluding weekends), a reminder about free CTA rides on the first day of school, and storm-related support for lost groceries plus property tax appeal prefiling after storm damage.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) announced a community zoning meeting on Aug. 20 about a proposed zoning change at 3208–16 W. Armitage Ave. to develop a 38-unit mixed-use rental project with affordable housing, and she also highlighted the La Casa Norte groundbreaking for the new North Hotel youth shelter that will provide 40 private rooms for ages 18–24. Other major updates include a Logan Square town hall on Aug. 17 (6–7:30 PM) to discuss infrastructure investments and participatory budgeting, plus a recap of the 4th Annual Back-to-School Bash with 450 attendees and weekend Sangria Fest street-closure/no-parking notices.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlights youth programming, including the After School Matters Summer Showcase at the Orleans Teen Center and two upcoming back-to-school events: a Community Roses Youth Town Hall on August 12 and the 4th Annual Back-To-School Bash on August 13 at Marine Leadership Academy. The newsletter also shares information about the IHCC Business Expo at Navy Pier on August 27 and notes an Illinois state sales tax holiday through August 16 (local tax still applies). Other items include the 26th Ward’s community-led zoning intake process and a reminder to check the ward’s construction project updates for ongoing work in the neighborhood.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared that CARE mental-health response hours will expand beginning October, with teams responding 9 am–10 pm instead of 9 am–5 pm, following a Treatment Not Trauma CARES town hall. She also highlighted the Community Safety Committee’s work on youth safety/violence prevention planning and announced upcoming events such as the Back-to-School Bash (and other youth resources/events in the ward). Other items included the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture receiving top American Alliance of Museums accreditation and an update on the state’s SNAP/FRESH $400 emergency benefit program (no application, contacted by IDHS).
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared that the Treatment Not Trauma CARES town hall will expand Chicago’s CARE mental health response hours starting in October to 9 a.m.–10 p.m. (from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.), alongside continued advocacy with other aldermembers for resources to support vulnerable residents. She also highlighted Community Safety Committee updates, including violence-prevention outreach planning and upcoming youth events such as the Back-to-School Bash.
Other major items included the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture’s American Alliance of Museums accreditation and a SNAP/FRESH program update providing a one-time $400 benefit for certain households.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) highlighted a West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force training on administering naloxone, noting the ward’s five Naloxone Newsstands, and promoted upcoming community events including a Community Roses Youth Town Hall (Aug. 12) and a 4th Annual Back to School Bash (Aug. 13) with free backpacks. The newsletter also covered the ward’s process for zoning change requests (intake form, then review with the Zoning Advisory Committee, sometimes including community input) and encouraged residents to apply for block party permits.
Other announcements included continued office visits to block parties, a Little Art Exchange drop-off at Campbell & Potomac, and reminders to check 26th Ward construction project updates.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared opioid overdose response training with West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force staff and noted that there are five Naloxone newsstands in the ward. The newsletter also promotes a Community Roses Youth Town Hall on August 12 (including immigration and bike repair workshops) and a 4th Annual Back to School Bash on August 13 with free backpacks, plus ongoing block party permitting guidance.
Other announcements include a “Little Art Exchange” art-supply drop-off at Campbell and Potomac, and reminders to check the ward’s construction project updates and zoning intake process for any zoning change requests.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) shared that the November ballot referendum question on short-term rentals is being explained and that residents can send feedback; the newsletter also highlights the Community Safety Committee meeting and ongoing housing-protection policy themes tied to the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance and community land trusts. Fuentes also announced a CDOT/DWM/CTA-approved street closure for sewer infrastructure work at W Division St and N Spaulding Ave (7am–4pm), with local traffic allowed only.
Other items include details for the 12th annual Colombian Fest (with festival road closures and a 5K on Saturday) and general ward updates such as zoning intake procedures, construction-project links, and office/event resource information.