🌟 OUR GRAND VISION: Earlier this month, in collaboration with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and the Lakota Group, the official plan for “Our Grand Vision” was published! We want to hear YOUR feedback as we continue moving forward in this development.

🎄Christmas tree giveaway, annual tree lighting, helping Santa tour the Ward, and much more! Thank you, from the 36th Ward team for making this holiday season a special one! ✨ We hope you have a joyous holiday season with your family, friends, and loved ones! ❄️💖

🎄 COME TAKE A PHOTO 🎄 Our annual Christmas tree lighting happened earlier this week! This year, while construction occurs on La Placita (Grand and Fullerton), we were happy to partner with Farmers Best Market to keep the tree close to home in Bricktown Square during this temporary relocation.

📢 Opportunity for Community Development Projects! The Chicago Community Trust is now accepting submissions for its Pre-Development Fund, offering up to $100,000 to support early-stage, neighborhood-scale development projects that help spark economic growth and build thriving, equitable communities.

HAVE YOU SEEN HIM? 🎅🏼 Santa is in the 36th Ward! Making his way through our neighborhoods to bring joy and holiday cheer! 🦌🔔 Keep a lookout, he will be here for the rest of the week. Bring the family, the kids, friends, and all to say hello to the jolly joybringer and snap a pic! 📸🎄

🎄Last night, our office had the joy of hosting a Christmas Tree Giveaway, and the holiday spirit was everywhere! Families braved the cold, picked out their favorite trees, and neighbors came together to kick off the season with warmth and community cheer.

🎄’TIS THE SEASON: The 36th Ward Toy Drive is happening now! Drop off a toy at our Belmont Cragin office at 6560 W Fullerton Avenue, Unit # C118 - Suite A, Chicago, IL 60707 anytime now until December 17th. Help us bring holiday joy and cheer to the community! ✨✨

North of 26 alders are working together to continue crafting a budget for the city. This is the majority of the Council coming to the table, negotiating, and building this out with direct feedback from constituents. When the mayor says councilmembers have not offered ideas, it is simply not true.

📣 COMMUNITY MEETING: Join us for a community meeting regarding updates on Esmeralda Santiago Elementary and St. Mark’s Church. 🗓️ December 16th ⏱️ 6:00 PM 📍2510 W Cortez Street, Esmeralda Santiago Elementary

Yesterday, December 7th, marked 84 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. We pause to remember the service members and civilians who lost their lives, those who fought to defend our nation, and the survivors whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire us.

🎄✨ Join us for the 36th Ward Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, December 15th at 5PM in front of Farmers Best Market (6420 W Fullerton Ave)!

❌ FALSE: The City Council is proposing a property tax increase and a grocery tax. ✅ FACT: Mayor Johnson is the only one who has proposed BOTH of those things.

❄️ WINTER PARKING BAN NOW IN EFFECT: Make sure to follow street signs and avoid being in No Park zones from 3:00 AM - 7:00 AM. ➡️ See which streets have the restrictions here: tinyurl.com/32sd7662

I was proud to join, Chicago native and my good friend, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), yesterday on a tour in Little Village to highlight small businesses and the impact of the federal government’s immigration raids on our communities as a whole, but specifically in La Villita.

Thank you, Paul Lisnek, for having me and my colleague, 6th Ward Alderman William Hall, on WGN’s The Political Report to discuss the city’s budget.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday evening for the Budget Town Hall, which focused on the Northwest Side. The budget process is a challenging one.

“We need more action and less talk – this brings it directly to the people and the governing body that can enact it. Let the voters decide. The city’s heavy reliance on property taxes is not sustainable. This is a solution to that problem.”

Yesterday, City Council in the Finance Committee voted down the Mayor’s budget 25-10. Now we go back to negotiations and building a budget based on the realities facing our city. Thank you, Radio UA Chicago for having me on to discuss this. Full video: tinyurl.com/4rddzna8

Yesterday evening, Anne-Marie Slaughter of New America and Byron Auguste of Opportunity@Work held a convening in Washington, D.C. to discuss Skills-Based hiring on a national level.

Reminder, these are YOUR tax dollars! Donald Trump, after two judges ordered him to cover SNAP, is refusing to distribute the benefits that the American people pay for.

Discover the Vision for the Crosstown Trail! ⬇️ Join the virtual town hall to explore the Crosstown Trail vision — a new north-to-south trail connecting neighborhoods from Montrose to the Bloomingdale Trail. 🗓 Thursday, November 13 🕕 6:00 – 7:30 PM 💻 On Zoom

Today we celebrate Día de los Muertos, honoring the memories of loved ones who live on in our hearts. May this day bring peace, reflection, and unity to all who celebrate. 🍂🕯️#DíaDeLosMuertos

COMMUNITY LOOKING OUT FOR COMMUNITY 🤝 36th Ward, Illinois Workers in Action, and volunteers passed out signage, palm cards, and signs this afternoon in West Town and Ukrainian Village. Thank you to everyone who joined us to help keep the community informed.

FREE workshop Thursday (10/30)! Learn how to appeal your property taxes with the Cook County Board of Review. More information ⬇️

Update from West Town, confirming that ICE did take people earlier this morning. There are efforts to engage friends and family members to track down the detainees.

Neighbors, this morning federal ICE agents have been seen in the West Town and Ukrainian Village community. As of 10:00 AM two people have been taken. Please use caution and remain vigilant. Consider staying at home for the time being.

The ripple effect of Trump’s immigration efforts ➡️ local businesses like restaurants, salons, auto shops, and more see a revenue decrease plus a labor shortage. Thank you, ABC 7 Chicago for sharing this story and the story of El Mexico de Chicago.

Spotlighting El México de Chicago today! Having opened just 8 months ago, this hidden gem on Grand and Narragansett blends traditional Mexican cuisine and seafood with karaoke fun! 🌮🎤

In times of instability and uncertainty, our strength comes from standing together. We look out for one another. We share information, check in on our neighbors, and make sure no one is alone.

Community looking out for community! 🤝 Thank you to our local partners for sharing materials - signs, palm cards, and flyers for us to share in the Ward.

Last week, I was honored to join Cook County Commissioner, Donna Miller, and the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) to highlight services still available during the federal government shutdown and shine a light on services paused.

“When you’re just driving around the city looking at people that are quote unquote might be “illegal” or might be someone to pick up, that’s racial profiling…

📣 RIGHTS FOR ALL WORKSHOP: In partnership with Illinois Workers in Action, we will be hosting a Know Your Rights workshop focused on businesses and workers. You can register with the QR code in the flyer, and walk-ins are also welcome.

Better services need to be delivered to our residents. Period. Today, in my committee, we heard another issue with the Department of Water Management (DWM) - we have been talking about these concerns with water billing for years, the news has covered it extensively, and last year

📣 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Join us and the Northwest Center tomorrow October 9th at 5 pm for our second workshop. It will be a HYBRID session both in-person and online via Zoom. Please register using the link in the flyer or scan the QR code. 🔗: tinyurl.com/59xb5cxf

Rain or shine - our Veterans resource events continue on! Thank you, National Louis University and the Veterans Affairs Commission of Cook County, for meeting our community where they are and connecting them with the resources they deserve.

Today, the City of Chicago declared that no city property can be used by ICE for staging, detention, or as operational bases. As Donald Trump continues his escalation against Chicago, it is crucial that we do everything in our power to stand our ground.

This morning and early afternoon, federal ICE agents continued operations in the Belmont Cragin community. Agents were seen at Home Depot and observed questioning street vendors. Please use caution and remain vigilant.

📣 VETERANS: Know your benefits and what is available during the government shutdown! Please contact the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC), your county Veterans commission, or your local VA representative to get informed on what is and is not available during this time.

Every day, we see increased escalation from Donald Trump’s Broadview Detention Center. Peaceful protestors, attacked. Reporters, attacked. And now, a 70 year-old Air Force Veteran, attacked.

💡 What Veterans Need to Know During a Government Shutdown The good news - most VA services will keep running ⬇️

🌆 Chicago’s future is being built block by block — and you can be part of it. In the 36th Ward, there are lots available right now, with even more across the city.

Donald Trump is a showman, but this isn’t reality TV. While the president again threatens to send the National Guard to Chicago, real solutions are ignored.

🚨Stay Informed. Stay Engaged. Know Your Rights.

On Monday, my resolution calling for transparency around lead service line replacements was heard in the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.

🎉 PLACITA POP-UP: Neighbors, join us for a pop-up Ward event this Thursday, September 25th at 3:00 pm. Constituent services, resources, music, food, and more will be available! We’ll see you at Suncatcher Brewing - 2849 W Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622. 😎☀️

Neighbors, there was a confirmed ICE sighting at Cermak Produce on Grand and Division today (9/18) around 2:00 PM. Two individuals were taken by agents. We are working with our community partners to share the news and tell everyone to be alert.

🇲🇽 Happy Mexican Independence Day! Que Viva Mexico! #MexicanIndependenceDay 🇲🇽

Thank you, Adrian Carrasquillo and @thebulwark.com for shining a light on what’s going on in Chicago and in our neighborhoods. Full article: www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-chic...

Honoring the rich diversity of the Latino community this #HispanicHeritageMonth. In 2025, we celebrate the culture, contributions, and resilience of Latinos whose hard work continues to shape Chicago and our nation. 🇲🇽🇵🇷🇩🇴🇭🇳🇪🇨🇵🇦🇻🇪