Thanks for subscribing to our brand new newsletter! I’m looking forward to sharing updates from my office, as well as community events and resources.

My team has been working hard to make the transition as smooth as possible, and we appreciate everyone’s patience with any bumps along the way. During our first two weeks in office we’ve:

• Completed more than 200 neighborhood service requests with the help of our interim ward superintendent, Orlando Lopez
• Set up a briefing with the Chicago Department of Transportation to discuss resident concerns about ongoing construction projects (more information below)
• Met with local community organizations about issues including economic development, neighborhood school programming, affordable housing, immigrant rights, and environmental issues in the ward and the city.

If you have an event or resource you'd like included in upcoming letters, please e-mail it to [email protected]

We are also continuing to distribute our newsletter sign-up link to neighbors, and will have a Spanish-language newsletter available soon: https://forms.gle/6gcL9U6unetEvH3X8

I am excited to work with all of you on behalf of our communities!

-Alderman Rossana Rodriguez

Office Opening and Ward Night

We’d like to thank constituents for their patience as we worked with the city to get our ward office furnished, internet-equipped and open for business!

Our official opening is Monday, June 3, and hours will be as follows:

Monday - Friday: 10AM - 5PM

Saturday: 10AM - 1PM

Our staff will be working in the office to address neighborhood issues, but we also see getting out into the community on evenings and weekends as a key part of the job. If you'd like to invite me or our staff to attend a community meeting, school event, or to meet with residents on your block--or if the above office hours don't work for you--please don't hesitate to contact us. 

The ward office will continue to be located at 3001 W Irving Park.

Our temporary phone number is (773) 217-9141, but this will change when we gain access to the office phone system. Our e-mail address is [email protected].  

On Monday evening, we’ll hold our first ward night from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. My staff and I look forward to meeting you! More info here. 

Summer Construction Updates

A number of residents have reached out to us regarding parking difficulties and traffic hazards in the ward as the result of ongoing work by People's Gas and the city water department. We share these concerns and our staff is meeting with the Chicago Department of Transportation on Wednesday. 

We will also be working on setting up community meetings for CDOT and Peoples' Gas to inform residents directly of plans and timelines for these projects' completion. We will announce updates here and via social media.

Legislative Updates

Wednesday was the first City Council meeting of the new term!

I have been assigned to serve on the following committees:

Education and Child development 
Environmental Protection and Energy 
Ethics 
Health & Human Relations 
Pedestrian and Traffic safety 
Rules

I’ve also signed on to cosponsor several ordinances that align with the platform I put forward during my campaign, including:

• Creation of a Civilian Police Accountability Council 
• A Fair Workweek Ordinance to enact and enforce fair and equitable employer scheduling protections
• A call for condemnation of legislative efforts to diminish reproductive rights

You can view all the legislation I've sponsored here: https://chicago.legistar.com/PersonDetail.aspx?ID=217141&GUID=F0572063-C898-4D76-B22E-E206AC6441D2

Community Meetings and Events

Saturday, June 1: It's Your Park Day at Horner Park Join the Horner Park Advisory Council to for a work day planting and laying woodchips along the riverfront path.

More info:https://www.facebook.com/events/260250311462075/

Saturday, June 1: Celebrate Pride Month at the Albany Park Library

Tuesday, June 4: North River Commission Environment Meeting Join NRC for presentations from the parks and water districts, Active Transportation Alliance and other community organizations about projects related to rivers, parks, and trails in our community. Come early for a riverside tour.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/848799912143625/

Thursday, June 6: Bateman Elementary School Fine Art Night Enjoy student artwork and performances at this annual event.

Friday, June 14: HANA Center Gala The HANA Center advances immigrant justice in our ward and beyond. Their annual gala fundraiser features dinner, performances and a keynote speech from U.S. Rep. Andy Kim.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/349250145669637/

Wednesday, June 19: Flavors of Albany Park Restaurant Crawl Sample offerings from 40+ businesses and restaurants along Montrose, Kedzie and Lawrence Avenues. Tickets on sale now.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2056721617770321/

Ongoing in June: Movies in the Park! Check the Chicago Park District’s schedule for family-friendly screenings at Eugene Field, Horner, Brand and other nearby parks. 

Neighborhood Resources

311 App: Residents can now file and check the status of service requests--including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and garbage and recycling pickup--via the 311 app and website. 

We are always available to help residents file or check the status of requests, but the app is an added convenience. We've been using it ourselves when out in the ward!

Block party and bounce castle applications: Block party season has begun and continues through September 1!

Reminder that all block parties require a permit--please call, e-mail or stop by the office to obtain one. If you haven't held a party on your block before, you'll also need to obtain petition signatures from 60 percent of the neighbors on the block.

The city operates a very popular program to provide bounce houses to block parties and certain events, free of charge. Availability is limited, and you can apply here. 

Street sweeping: Street sweeping season continues until November 1.

Avoid a ticket by signing up for alerts of upcoming street sweeping on your block: https://sweeparound.us/

You can also see street sweeping activity here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/streets/iframe/sweeper_tracker.html