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Dear Neighbors,
Belmont Cragin, my team and I have been walking your blocks as part of my Ward at Your Door initiative. We have been greeted by your pets, neighbors who know every inch of their neighborhood and exactly what needs fixing, and folks calling my name from across the street to make sure we talk. Some of you even opened your doors and offered a warm cup of coffee in the cold. Thank you.
Join us Monday, March 9, at 6 PM at Iglesia Emanuel! Learn how to use 311, hear infrastructure updates, participate in Participatory Budgeting, and ask questions about what matters to you. Register at bit.ly/BCtownhall26. |
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Give Blood. Save Lives. I am grateful to co-host a community blood drive with the 4th District State Representative Lilian Jiménez on Wednesday, March 4, from 12 to 4 PM at Mozart Park, 2036 N. Avers. One donation can save up to three lives. That means one simple act can have an immediate impact on families across our city. If you are able, please consider signing up to donate. Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before your appointment. Schedule your time at bit.ly/donateblood26. |
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Gender-based Violence Training
This week, the Community Safety Committee welcomed Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to learn how to recognize and prevent gender-based violence while supporting survivors with compassion and care. Gender-based violence (GBV) includes harmful acts directed at someone because of gender, such as domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. GBV can occur at home, at work, online, or in public spaces, affecting people of every age and background.
Despite the fact that violence in Chicago has decreased incredibly, GBV has not. Training our Community Safety Committee is pivotal to addressing ALL forms of violence.
DFSS works closely with community partners to provide trauma-informed responses and create safe spaces for survivors. The YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 888-293-2080 and the Polaris Project 888-373-7888 provide hotline support that connects residents to immediate, confidential assistance.
Please remember, you are not alone! Help is available.
Together, we can help create a safer neighborhood by learning the signs, listening without passing judgment, respecting survivors’ privacy, and sharing trusted resources. As always, WE KEEP US SAFE! |
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Addressing Youth Joblessness
And when we talk about investing in our community, we must also talk about our young people. On Feb. 11, I joined Alternative Schools Network and UIC’s Great Cities Institute to talk about a new landmark report that reveals the staggering scope and scale of Illinois’ youth joblessness crisis: Illinois ranks 18th worst out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for joblessness among 16- to 19-year-olds Between 2019 and 2024, Chicago’s racial gap widened between white and Black teenagers Joblessness among white teenagers declined by 13.6 percentage points (from 76.4% to 62.8%) Joblessness among Black teenagers declined by just 2.9 points (from 84.8% to 81.9%)
As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Youth Employment, I will work closely with the Mayor’s office and DFSS to ensure our youth employment opportunities are abundant. Subsidized yearlong employment is the most impactful, especially for our young people who are supporting families. Additionally, I will once again be hosting Mikva and summer interns. As soon as the applications are available, I will share them. |
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Community Power In Our Parks
Participatory Budgeting gives residents a direct voice in how public funds are spent. Just like in the 26th Ward, the Chicago Park District has launched a citywide Participatory Budgeting process for the very first time. If you have an infrastructure improvement idea for a park, now is your chance to submit it HERE. Public dollars should reflect public priorities. |
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Safety Improvements Coming to Humboldt Drive
Speaking of park improvements, beginning March 9, construction will resume on N Humboldt Drive from North Avenue to Grand Avenue as part of CDOT’s Arterial Street Resurfacing Project. The project includes ADA sidewalk improvements, park path paving, new bike medians, raised crosswalks, refuge islands, updated striping, signage, and landscaping. These upgrades will protect our most vulnerable road users, ensuring safety, accessibility, and making sure our streets work for pedestrians, cyclists, families, and drivers alike.
To complete this work, Humboldt Drive will close in three stages, each lasting approximately 3 to 4 weeks, and is expected to begin on March 9th. Stage 1 - Augusta to Division Stage 2 - Division to the Humboldt Park Boathouse Stage 3 - Humboldt Park Field House to North Avenue
The interruptions will be temporary, and these investments uplift long-term safety and equity in how our public infrastructure serves our community. Thank you for your patience as this work moves forward. |
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Office Closure 3/2
Our office will be closed on Monday, March 2nd, in observance of Casimir Pulaski Day. If you need immediate assistance while we are closed, please call 311 for city services. |
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In Solidarity,
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes |
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Tree Planting in Hermosa 4/25 |
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The 26th Ward Office is partnering with Openlands, an organization dedicated to protecting natural areas and expanding Chicago’s tree canopy, along with the 35th Ward Office, the Office of Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez, and Nixon Elementary School to host a community tree-planting day on April 25th. We are currently identifying Hermosa residents who are interested in having a tree planted in front of their home at no cost. Increasing tree coverage helps reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, and manage stormwater in our neighborhoods.
The Hermosa neighborhood has been identified as a high-priority area for tree planting due to its relatively low tree canopy coverage. On April 25th, residents, students, and partners will come together to take action and invest in the long-term health of our community.
If you are a Hermosa resident interested in having a tree planted in front of your home, or if you would like to volunteer during the tree-planting day on April 25th, please email juanita@the26thward.org. If you are interested in a tree planting but do not live in the Hermosa community, please contact the 26th Ward Office at info@the26thward.org or call or text 773-395-0143 for assistance.
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Development Feedback - 3251 W. Division |
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| Submit feedback on the proposed zoning change request to build 44 affordable housing unit.
Submit here. |
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California Ave Construction Alert |
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Immigration Rights Resources |
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| Construction season has begun! Don't forget to check out ChiStreetWork for updates on upcoming work in your neighborhood. |
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The 26th Ward's zoning process requires anyone requesting a zoning change to first complete a zoning intake form. After review, they present their request to the Zoning Advisory Committee and answer questions. In some cases, they may also present at a community input meeting. |
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We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties. |
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Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation |
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Lens on Love - Youth & Healthy Relationships |
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Be a Student Election Judge |
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| High school students, your voice matters, even before you can vote! 🗳️
Serve as a Student Election Judge in the 2026 Election and help run your local precinct. Gain leadership experience, earn community service credit, and make an impact in your community. You can also pre-register to vote at 16 so you are ready on Election Day.
Find out more |
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Community Resource Fair 2/28 |
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Chicago Food Justice Summit |
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Bilingual Foster Homes Needed |
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| Calling all emerging real estate developers in Chicago! Ready to grow your business? The Chicago EDI Program will give you the skills, mentorship, and network to take the next step. ✨ Hands-on training and advising ✨ One-on-one mentorship ✨ Connections to peers and partners ✨ Pathways to financing Brought to you by Chicago Community Loan Fund and Community Investment Corporation, with Capital Impact Partners, and funded by MacArthur Foundation and U.S. Bank. Spots are limited 👉 Apply today |
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| Every child deserves a safe and loving home. 💙 Association House’s Foster Care Program ensures that children in our community are cared for, supported, and connected to families who will walk with them toward healing and stability. Learn more about becoming a foster parent or supporting the program at
👉 associationhouse.org/foster |
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| Seniors 60+ — Need help at home?
The City of Chicago offers free chore services to help you stay safe and independent: Light help like cleaning, laundry, errands, or personal care after an illness One‑time heavy‑duty fixes like deep cleaning, clutter removal, moving furniture, or major tidying Find eligibility info and how to apply on the City’s Help In Your Home page. Or call 312-744-4016 or email aging@cityofchicago.org for more help |
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Domestic Violence Resources |
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CEDA Utility Relief Programs |
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Seniors Community Care Program |
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NEW Illinois Immigration Info Hub |
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Cannabis Expungement Project |
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| New Leaf Cannabis Expungement Project is a network of 17 nonprofits that helps anyone ever charged with a cannabis offense anywhere in Illinois clear eligible cannabis and non-cannabis cases from their record.
Our services are free.
New Leaf is state-funded and was formed after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was passed in 2019. |
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City of Chicago - Know Your Rights Guide |
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The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) provides this Rights Card to protect you during interactions with law enforcement or immigration officials. 📞 Family Support Hotline:
Call 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) for assistance in English, Spanish, Korean, or Polish. ✅The right to remain silent. ✅The right to refuse answering questions without legal representation. ✅The right to contact an attorney or organization for help. Print and carry this card to assert your rights and ensure your safety in uncertain situations. For more information, visit www.icirr.org/family-support |
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Intake for People Experiencing Homelessness |
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| 🏠 24/7 Intake Location for People Experiencing Homelessness
For single adults in need of shelter, the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) offers:
✅ Open 24/7 with a 200-person capacity
✅ Meals, showers, laundry, and shelter placement services
✅ On-site assistance and 3-1-1 shelter requests available around the clock
📍 Location: 2241 S. Halsted St. (S Halsted St. & W 23rd) |
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Court-Based Rental Assistance Program |
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Chicago Senior Risk Assessment Program |
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| The Chicago Seniors At Risk Assessment Program provides free fire/fall safety assessments for individuals ages 65 or over and those with a disability.
Chicago Fire Department members will assess the home for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other fire and fall hazards.
Call to schedule an appointment. Phone: (312) 747-6691 |
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Chicago Rents connects landlords with tenants through various housing subsidy programs, offering guaranteed rent, vacancy filling, and personalized support. Created in response to COVID-19, it centralizes property partner relationships and helps Chicagoans in need of housing. If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply. |
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12 District Police Oversight |
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has introduced a new and improved interactive calendar, which you can click here to access. One of the key features of this calendar is the inclusion of the yearly meeting calendar for both the Commission for Public Safety and your Local District Councils. By simply visiting this website, you can find the dates, times, and locations of all scheduled meetings. 14th Police District Council Join elected District Councilors every first Saturday of the month at 1pm to work for better police accountability, restorative justice, and evidence based approaches to public safety. |
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| Aligned candidates will be excited about supporting a community of founders, manufacturers, and industry leaders committed to commercializing hardtech solutions. They'll be inspired by creating economic opportunity locally while deploying solutions to impact the world. They'll come with energy and enthusiasm to join a team during a moment of growth and bold new ideas. Is that you or someone you know? |
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| Casa Central has several openings in both our teaching and nursing that are critical in our programs and they may be of interest to our residents. Teaching Positions: Nursing Positions: |
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What if your everyday work directly protected public health, improved our waterways, and helped millions of people across Cook County? At the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), that’s exactly what you do. What if you could build a stable, rewarding career and make a meaningful impact on your community at the same time? At the MWRD, you can—and that’s what makes it such an exceptional place to work. |
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| Greater West Town Project is offering a Shipping and Receiving Training Program with full-time classes that run for 12 weeks. Illinois residents who are 18 years old or over and low-income eligible can train at no cost. For 33 years, Greater West Town programs have successfully equipped community residents with in-demand job skills and placed them in jobs in industry with recent wages averaging $18-20 per hour. Apply here. |
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| Chicago Board of Elections is HIRING!
Various full-time positions avilable.
Apply by sending your resume to HR@CHICAGOELECTIONS.GOV
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| Are you a skilled and passionate healthcare professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the community? Humboldt Park Health (HPH) is seeking dedicated Physicians and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) to join our team.
View open position HERE |
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| 📣 The City of Chicago’s Department of Law is hiring!
Join a team committed to justice, equity, and service to our communities. Explore open positions and apply today. ⚖️🔗 |
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| The City of Chicago is committed to assisting residents in their pursuit of finding a job. This page contains information on where residents can find job opportunities in the public, private,and nonprofit sector. Click HERE to view job opportunities in various sectors. |
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| Chicago Transit Authority employees keep Chicago and 35 suburbs moving every day. This would not be possible without our skilled and dedicated workforce. Learn what qualities make a great CTA employee and find a career opportunity that matches your professional skill set and interests. |
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| Click Here to view and apply for Chicago Department of Public Health jobs |
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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. |
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| If you need assistance with a city service, let us know! You can submit your request through our website, by giving us a call, or submitting a request directly to 311.chicago.gov. Our team is here to provide the support you need and ensure our community thrives. |
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Requirements:
HS diploma or equivalent
