On February 24, the 26th Ward will hold a community meeting to discuss the Chicago Board of Education’s transition of ChiArts to a district‑managed school, and residents can weigh in on the proposed zoning change for 3300 W Pierce and the 44‑unit affordable housing project at 3251 W Division. The ward’s participatory budgeting vote selected Project 11, Stow Elementary Outdoor Play Area, for funding in the 2026 budget, while bike‑lane plowing and a California Ave construction alert address street‑safety needs. Additional updates include a tree‑planting day on April 25, office closure on February 23 for professional development, and several job and community resource announcements.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlights two zoning proposals: a 3300 W Pierce change by Vandy Projects and a 3251 W Division request for 44 affordable units, both seeking community feedback. The ward also announces that the 2026 Participatory Budgeting winner, Project 11 Stow Elementary Outdoor Play Area, will move forward, and notes upcoming events such as a tree‑planting day on April 25 and a community meeting on ChiArts’ transition on February 24. Additional updates include office closure on February 23, various youth and community events, and job opportunities across the city.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward urges residents to provide feedback on a zoning change request to build 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division, and explains the zoning intake and advisory committee process. The newsletter also highlights early voting availability, a senior Valentine's brunch, a community tree‑planting day in Hermosa on April 25, bike‑lane plowing and CDOT street work, and notes the office’s closure on Monday for Washington’s birthday, while supporting Palenque’s Parent Mentor Group and listing job openings.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a request for public feedback on a proposed zoning change to build 44 affordable housing units at 3251 W. Division, and noted that the ward’s zoning intake process is currently reviewing several development requests. The ward also announced a bike‑lane plowing schedule and a community tree‑planting day on April 25 to improve street safety and green space. Additional updates included early voting availability, a Senior Valentine’s lunch celebration, and the office’s closure on February 16 for Washington’s birthday.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a community zoning meeting at Pierce Church where residents provided feedback on a proposed development for 44 affordable housing units, and she announced ongoing review of zoning change requests for the 26th Ward. She also spoke on WTTW about immigration enforcement accountability, led a safety walk on Lawndale following a recent sexual assault, and will participate in Winter Walk Chicago to support the homeless. Additional events include a tree‑planting day on April 25, a C3 Housing Fair on March 7, a Repair Day on March 26, and a community resource fair on February 28.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted a Community Zoning Meeting at Pierce Church where residents discussed future site use, and shared feedback on a proposed 44‑unit affordable housing development at 3251 W. Division, while outlining the ward’s zoning intake process. She also referenced the city’s Welcoming City ordinance and Mayor Johnson’s executive order to document federal immigration enforcement misconduct, underscoring the ward’s commitment to community safety and accountability. Additional updates included a safety walk on Lawndale following a recent assault, a Winter Walk event in Humboldt Park, a tree‑planting day in Hermosa, and various community resources and job opportunities.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a zoning community meeting on February 4 to review a proposed zoning change for 3251 W. Division that would add 44 affordable housing units, and highlighted a recent public hearing on the COPA amendment that expands police investigative powers. She also noted ongoing construction on California Avenue between North and Armitage, the city’s bike‑lane plowing schedule, and a Boulevard Landmark District Extension Project that preserves historic character, while reminding residents of upcoming street‑work by CDOT. Other updates included a blood‑donation drive on March 4, a reentry program presentation by the City of Chicago Office of Re‑Entry, and community events such as a senior Valentine’s brunch and a seed swap.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reported that the ward held a zoning community meeting on February 4 and a development‑feedback session for a 44‑unit affordable‑housing project at 3251 W. Division, and she attended a City Council meeting where votes on the Hemp Ban and a Snap Curfew Ordinance were postponed. The ward is also reviewing a landmark‑district extension for the Logan Square Boulevards, and at the Northwest Side City Budget Report Back Town Hall Fuentes highlighted the 2026 budget’s preservation of school funding and youth jobs while rejecting a proposed garbage‑fee increase. Other updates include the launch of Protecting Chicago no‑trespassing signs, a deadline for Participatory Budgeting, voter‑registration support, and opportunities for students to serve as election judges.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that a COPA ordinance giving the Civilian Office of Police Accountability authority to investigate violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance will be debated and voted on January 27, and residents are invited to comment on a proposed zoning change for 44 affordable units at 3251 W. Division. The ward also highlighted the ongoing Boulevard Landmark District Extension Project and the 26th Ward’s zoning process, while noting the upcoming Legislative Town Halls and a Racial Healing Circle in honor of Dr. King. Additional updates included new staff appointments, Ward‑at‑Your‑Door outreach, and a variety of community resources and events.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes highlighted a January 12 community meeting to discuss a zoning change for a 44‑unit affordable housing project at 3251 W Division St, and announced the groundbreaking of 61 affordable senior apartments at the Pioneer Arcade in Humboldt Park. The 26th Ward also opened the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on January 12 to help residents repair sidewalks, and reminded residents that the 2026 Participatory Budgeting ballot remains open for two more weeks. Additionally, the ward celebrated a $2.3 million Community Development Grant awarded to the Chicago Community Justice Foundation for a building renovation that will create co‑located services and jobs.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a community meeting on January 12 at 3251 W Division St where residents backed a zoning change to allow a 44‑unit affordable‑housing development. The ward also celebrated the groundbreaking of 61 affordable senior apartments at Pioneer Arcade and the award of a $2.3 million Community Development Grant to the Chicago Community Justice Foundation for a new community hub. Additionally, the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program opens for applications on Jan. 12, the participatory‑budgeting ballot remains open, and the ward hosted a Three Kings Day gift giveaway and other cultural events.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced that the participatory budget ballot is now open, inviting residents to rank 12 community projects, and highlighted the ongoing review of zoning‑change requests and the proposed extension of the Logan Square Boulevard Landmark District, which will involve community input over the next 6‑9 months. The newsletter also noted the California Avenue construction alert, the bike‑lane plowing schedule, and the city’s continued focus on street safety through CDOT street‑work updates. Additional updates included community events such as the Three Kings Day gift giveaway, the Warming Center, and a reminder that the office will be closed until January 5.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward reports that the City Council is moving forward with a budget that will impose new taxes and fines on working‑class residents, and she has unveiled a 2026 participatory‑budgeting ballot featuring ranked‑choice voting for 12 community projects. A community zoning meeting on December 18 discussed a proposed 45‑unit residential development at 3251 W. Division Street, with a follow‑up meeting scheduled for January 5 to gather further input. The newsletter also highlights the Logan Square Boulevards District Extension Project, the ward’s holiday office closure, and ongoing community‑safety initiatives.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced several upcoming meetings and zoning actions, including an Affordable Housing Meeting on December 16 and ongoing reviews of zoning‑change requests for multiple properties, while the participatory‑budgeting ballot for 2026 is nearly ready for ranked‑choice voting. The ward also highlighted the passage of HB 1312, a state law that strengthens protections for immigrant communities, and noted the extension of the Logan Square Boulevards Landmark District—a zoning change that preserves historic character. Other key updates include the Winter Senior Gala, the 19th Annual Paseo Boricua Parranda, a holiday office‑closure notice, and community‑resource links such as the California Ave construction alert and local food and immigration‑rights resources.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward highlighted the upcoming budget vote and participatory‑budgeting ballot, and announced a zoning‑community meeting on December 18 to review several property requests and the Logan Square Boulevards District extension. The Ward also discussed the proposed Crosstown Trail and emphasized protecting residents from displacement, while noting the ongoing review of zoning changes for multiple properties and the upcoming Help Improve Bus Service initiative. Additional updates included NAVA Consent Decree immigration relief, a corridor walk in Hermosa, and community events such as the Ward Night at Babe’s and upcoming office closures.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced the upcoming Zoning Community Meeting on December 18 and the participatory‑budgeting process, noting that all PB ideas have been assessed and the ranked‑choice ballot is being prepared. She also highlighted policy updates—support for the corporate head tax, ICE presence, and the Crosstown Trail proposal—while stressing the need to protect residents from displacement. Other key items included a corridor walk in Hermosa, updates on the NAVA Consent Decree, and reminders of office closures and community events.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward notes that the ward is preparing for the participatory‑budgeting ballot and is reviewing several zoning‑change requests for properties such as 1751‑53 N Spaulding Ave and 3652 W North Ave, underscoring the ward’s focus on housing and development. The newsletter also announces the installation of Narcan vending machines on key intersections for community safety and invites residents to the Winter Senior Gala, a flag‑lighting walk, and a shop‑small campaign to support local businesses. Additional updates include office closure dates, a reminder about upcoming SNAP changes, and a call to stay engaged with community events during the holiday season.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a Crosstown Trail meeting with Commissioner Vásquez and a CDOT meeting on the North Avenue Corridor to plan intersection improvements and pedestrian plazas. The City Council approved a Humboldt Park TIF package that funds park upgrades, and a participatory‑budgeting preview will soon release a ballot featuring pedestrian‑safety and playground projects. The newsletter also noted zoning‑change requests for several properties, a reopened property‑tax appeal window, a senior gala, a turkey giveaway, and a host of community events and resources.
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward announced a Community Safety Town Hall on Nov. 19 to discuss safety and legislative updates and urged residents to participate in the city budget survey to shape fiscal priorities. She also highlighted the federal ICE ruling that enforces the 2022 settlement protecting residents from warrantless stops and the ongoing review of ICE detentions. In addition, she celebrated the Fuerza de La Mujer event at NEIU and organized an IDJ card‑signing to support families of incarcerated loved ones.
The 26th Ward newsletter highlights several key community actions: the 2026 city budget survey is now live and a hybrid town‑hall with Mayor Johnson is scheduled for November 8 to discuss budget priorities; the Chicago Board of Education has approved ChiArts as a district‑managed performing‑arts school for 2026‑27, a win for local arts advocacy; and a virtual Crosstown Trail town‑hall is set for November 13 to shape the new trail with a focus on housing protections. In addition, the ward announces the opening of the Emergency Heating Repair Program, a pause in garbage collection for Veterans Day, and a range of food‑assistance and mutual‑aid resources for residents facing federal shutdown‑related hardships.