In this newsletter:

26th Ward Office Events •  26th Ward Office Updates  • Resources for Youth • Community Events • Public Notices • Job Opportunities

Dear Neighbor,

Spring is in full swing, and so is your ward. Read on for Earth Day recaps, a Hermosa Town Hall update, zoning news, and a little Chicago history as we head into May Day.

Welcoming City Ordinance Violation Complaints

Since City Council passed my COPA Amendment Ordinance on March 18, 2026, my office has received a number of inquiries regarding how and where to file complaints regarding CPD violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance. I want you to have all of the information you need to hold our government staff accountable to upholding both the TRUST Act and WCO. If you have any questions or concerns, know that you can reach out to my office. We will advocate on your behalf, and if a complaint is filed, identify where in the process your case is.

Earth Day Clean Up

This Earth Day, our ward showed up across Humboldt Park, Mozart Park, and Park 514 under one theme: Our People, Our Planet. It was cold and windy, and more than 80 volunteers showed up anyway, including youth from our local high schools and the Chicago Park District team, to clean our green spaces and lay down mulch for our trees. After the work was done, we celebrated with food, environmental resources, and a full afternoon of cultural programming featuring Aztec dancers, Puerto Rican bomba, a salsa lesson, and a DJ. It was a cleanup that turned into a block party, and that feels exactly right. Thank you to the Earth Day Committee for organizing another memorable Earth Day clean-up, and a huge shout-out to Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School students and staff for supporting our efforts

Tree Planting in Hermosa

If you missed last Saturday or just want to keep the Earth Month momentum going, join us tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, from 8:30 am to 12 pm at 2121 N. Keeler for tree planting in Hermosa, in collaboration with Openlands & 35th Ward Alder Anthony Quezada. You can still register to volunteer at bit.ly/treeplanting26

Hermosa Town Hall

On Thursday, we held our Hermosa Town Hall at our beautiful Mozart Park, and the community showed up in full force. Residents stayed for every presentation and came out ready with thoughtful and direct questions. That kind of engagement is exactly what this work is built on.

We covered community safety, 311 and service requests, participatory budgeting, and our community-led zoning process. We also shared that since 2023, our office has stewarded over $5.5 million in investments for our ward’s portion of Hermosa, including over $1.31 million in infrastructure improvements and $4.2 million in TIF funding to upgrade the field house at Hermosa Park. 

Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez, Congresswoman Delia Ramírez, and the office of State Rep Lilian Jiménez joined us to give residents a fuller picture of what their elected officials are working together. Our Barrio Services team was also on the ground, entering over 30 service requests during and after the event. 

Hermosa: Thank you for showing up. This is your ward, and we’re proud to serve you!

Community Zoning Update

This week, our office hosted a community zoning meeting on a proposed development at 3265 W. Armitage, on the former St. Augustine's parking lot. The developer proposes rezoning the site from B3-1 to B2-3 to construct a 31-unit mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space. The proposal includes six affordable units at 60% AMI and a commitment to work with local businesses on the retail space.

At Wednesday's meeting, the development team presented their proposal and heard initial feedback from neighbors. That community input is not a formality in our ward; it shapes what gets built here. We want to keep hearing from you. If you have thoughts on this project, fill out our zoning feedback form. Your voice matters in this process.

Community Safety Town Hall

Safety in the 26th Ward is built by the people who live here, and we want you in the room. Next Wednesday, April 29, from 6 to 7:30 pm, we are hosting a Community Safety Town Hall at the CHA Scattered Sites Office, 1402 N. Kedzie. Join us for a review of crime data across Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and West Town, plus updates from our violence prevention partners, CCPSA, and 14th District leadership. RSVP at bit.ly/safety26.

May Day Office Closure and Solidarity

Our office will be closed on Thursday, May 1 in observance of International Workers Day, and for us that is not just a day off.

Chicago is the birthplace of May Day, TWICE. On May 1, 1886, workers, including many immigrants right here in our city, walked off the job demanding an eight-hour workday, and the events that followed at Haymarket Square shook the world. Then, on that same date in 2006, Chicago led again when over 500,000 immigrants and allies filled our streets for the Day Without an Immigrant. It was the largest general strike in decades, and it started here. Two moments, 120 years apart, both born in this city, both saying the same thing: we built this place, and we keep it running.

That fight is not over. I am proud to lead an office that stands with workers, unions, and immigrants because this ward was built by people who work hard and deserve to be treated with dignity. May Day is a reminder of who we are and who we work for.

In Solidarity,

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes

26th Ward Office Updates

Community Safety Town Hall: 4/29

Property Tax Exemption Applications Are Open

Cicero Land Study - Virtual Community Meeting : 4/29

Connecting Neighborhoods: Solidarity Ride - 5/16

ALSO’s Peace Walk: 5/23

Construction Alerts

Jumping Jack Program opens: 4/15

The Jumping Jack Program is limited to residential block parties within Chicago. Events on private property, parks, forest preserves, schools, libraries, or churches; private parties; birthdays; community events; and festivals are not eligible.

Applicant must reside on the block where the Block Party is taking place.

If completed correctly, applicants will receive an immediate auto reply confirming their request. If no confirmation is received, the application was not submitted.

To avoid errors, applicants should:

• Complete the application on a computer using Google Chrome.

• Manually fill in each field. Auto fill can cause errors.

• For the block party address, add a period after the street direction (N., S., E., or W.).

• Press SUBMIT at the end of the application.

• Applicants will receive an approval or denial email once processed.

• Jumping Jacks are available Saturdays and Sundays only. Demand is highest on Saturdays, so consider Sundays.

• The program will not operate on Saturday, July 4.

• Only one request per block per season will be approved. Multiple requests from the same block will be denied.

• Approved block parties receive one Jumping Jack for four hours. Delivery is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with pickup between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Specific time requests cannot be accommodated.

• If the wrong date is selected, email JumpingJack@cityofchicago.org for instructions. Last-minute changes will not be honored.

• Requests must be submitted through the registration portal. Email requests will not be accepted.

• Must obtain a permit from their Aldermanic Ward office to hold a block party.

• Requests are first come, first served.

Immigration Rights Resources

CDOT Street Work

26th Ward Zoning

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.

We are currently reviewing zoning change requests for the following properties.

Youth Events/Resources

Chicago Youth Works

Radiate Open Mic

Humboldt Park Patriots Enrollment

Community Events

LoSAH Upcoming Events 4/26

Trina Davila April Events

Wellness Walks

Mobile DMV: 4/25

Shop the Block Crawl

Taller de Cuidadania: 5/2

Open House Job Fair: 5/6

Small Business Speaker Series 5/7

Expungement Workshop 5/18

Street Outreach Mixer: 5/21

Empodérate de tu futuro: 5/28

48th Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade: 6/13

Public Notices/Resources

Amnesty Week

Free Senior Legal Services

Bilingual Foster Homes Needed

Cycling Safety

Real ID

Community Clinic

Pet Food Pantry

Become a Homemaker

Become a Foster Parent

Senior Home Support

Domestic Violence Resources

Housing Services

CEDA Utility Relief Programs

Seniors Community Care Program

Veteran Services

Cannabis Expungement Project

City of Chicago - Know Your Rights Guide

ICIRR - Rights Card

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

Intake for People Experiencing Homelessness

Court-Based Rental Assistance Program

Chicago Senior Risk Assessment Program

Chicago Rents Program

COPA Commission Advisory Committee Application

CCPSA Commission Meeting—4/30

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 to work for better police accountability, restorative justice, and evidence based approaches to public safety. See their schedule here.

Job Opportunities/ Training

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.