Hermosa Know Your Rights for Businesses Workshop
On Thursday, February 26th at 6pm, the 35th Ward Office will be partnering with ARISE Chicago, the office of 8th District Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, State Representative Lilian Jimenez, and 26th Ward Alder Jessie Fuentes for a business know your rights workshop in the Hermosa neighborhood. The event will provide updates on relevant legislation and policies that may impact businesses during immigration-related enforcement and interactions with government agencies. Participants will have the opportunity to learn best practices and ask questions while connecting with elected officials offering support and resources. Spanish-language interpretation will be provided. Register for the address and to rsvp here.
Chicago Park District Participatory Budgeting
The Chicago Park District (CPkD) is launching a Citywide Participatory Budget (PB) process to deepen community engagement, increase transparency in public spending, and strengthen resident trust in park planning and resource allocation.
Through this initiative, residents, park users, and community stakeholders will be invited to submit specific park improvement ideas for parks across the city. CPkD will evaluate the ideas for viability and then group the ideas submitted into broader project categories. Community members will then vote on which broader categories they would most like the Park District to prioritize for funding initiatives.
The winning category or categories will guide how CPkD allocates the PB capital funds. Projects submitted by individuals within the winning category will be evaluated for the feasibility of the proposed scope and the availability of funding to complete the project. As many feasible projects as possible will be implemented with the funding available. Following a PB model ensures that implemented park improvements reflect the collective priorities of Chicago’s communities. For more information and to submit a project idea, visit the Chicago Park District’s PB page.
Hermosa Community Tree Planting Day
The 35th Ward Office is working with Openlands, an organization that works to protect our natural areas and our tree canopy, the 26th Ward Office, the Office of Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and Nixon Elementary on a tree-planting day on April 25th. We are working to identify Hermosa-area residents who are interested in having a tree planted in front of their home at no cost. Trees help our communities by reducing the urban heat island effect, cleaning the air, and absorbing rainwater.
The Hermosa neighborhood area has been identified as a high-priority area for tree planting, given its relatively low canopy coverage. On April 25th, we will come together to take action for our community!
If you are a Hermosa resident who would like a tree planted in front of your home or would like to lend a hand volunteering on April 25th, please email scott@ward35.org. If you would like a tree planted in front of your home, but you do not live in the Hermosa community, please contact the 35th Ward Office for assistance at ward35@cityofchicago.org or by call/text at 773-985-3510.
Notice of Public Hearing- City of Chicago Department of Water Management Public Water Supply Loan Project
The City of Chicago Department of Water Management will hold a virtual public hearing on March 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST, to receive public comment regarding its intent to apply for loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP) for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) activities. The funds shall be used for lead service line replacement projects and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, and replacement of lead service lines.
The public hearing is being held in accordance with the State of Illinois Rules for Public Water Supply Loans, Part 663.330. The public hearing can be accessed through the following link: chicago.gov/dwmph or by phone at: 1-872-222-6918, Phone conference ID: 928 190 406# The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on the Project Plan and IEPA’s Preliminary Environmental Impacts Determination for proposed projects.
Based on the 2025 City of Chicago Lead Service Line Replacement Plan, the replacement strategy is focused on scaling up operations to meet a mandatory state replacement schedule, prioritizing disadvantaged communities, and utilizing specific programs throughout the city. The annual target starting in 2027 is approximately 8,300 LSLs per year with a cumulative replacement goal of 41,500 replacements by the end of the 5-year period (2031). The Project Plan and the IEPA’s Environmental Impacts Determination are available for inspection online at: chicago.gov/dwmph.
The City of Chicago Deputy Commissioner, Lead Service Line Replacement Program, Michael Grillo, will receive written comments for a period of 10 days following the public hearing at: watermanagement@cityofchicago.org or chicago.gov/dwmph or by phone at 312-744-6636.
