Over the course of the pandemic, one of the most frequent calls our office received was from residents struggling to make their rent or mortgage payments. This week, I spoke with Wendy Rodriguez from the office of State Rep. Delia Ramirez about the Illinois housing relief bill just signed into law, and how to access the resources it provides. You can watch our Facebook Live conversation here. I want to make sure all residents are aware that there are now two major rental assistance programs available to Chicagoans. The State of Illinois is currently accepting applications for the Illinois RentalContinue

This week, the CDC approved use of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12 and older. Minors under 18 must still be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated at city sites. Appointments are still recommended, but you can also go as a walk-in!  In light of this change, we are postponing the vaccination event planned for Horner Park on May 21. Working with our community partners at Heartland Health Centers, we had planned to offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It's important to emphasize that the J & J vaccineContinue

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! This has been a school year like no other for our educators, students, and families, and I want to take a moment to thank teachers and staff for giving their all to help us all navigate it. In addition to keeping students engaged and supported in the classroom, I saw so many teachers taking on the work of connecting students and their families with food, financial help, vaccines, and so much more. A special thank you to my son's champions at Hibbard Elementary for all the care and solidarity shown towards families and to each otherContinue

Today, more than 1,000 neighbors got vaccinated at our Northwest-side community clinic! This was a collaboration between multiple state representatives, aldermanic offices and community health partners, and a great example of how we can get more residents vaccinated by making it as convenient as possible.  Speaking of which, if you haven't gotten your vaccine yet, it's now easier than ever. A great, nearby option for 33rd Ward residents is Erie health's location at 5215 N California Ave (Foster and California), which is now taking walk-ins on Tues - Friday from 10 AM - 12 PM. All city-run vaccination sites, includingContinue

As part of the American Rescue Plan passed by the U.S. Congress in March, Chicago will soon receive $1.8 billion to help us recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Our last round of federal funds did not go towards the relief we needed--instead, the city gave $280 million to CPD, and millions more sat unspent. At this week's City Council meeting, Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and I introduced a resolution calling for this round to go directly towards recovery for Chicago residents. From walk-in neighborhood vaccination sites, to funding for summer jobs and violence prevention, to stimulus checks for undocumented families--there areContinue

Yesterday, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released the police body camera footage of the tragic shooting death of Adam Toledo. The body camera footage shows Adam Toledo with his hands up when he was shot by a Chicago police officer. My heart goes out to Adam’s mother and all the Black and Brown mothers who have lost a child to police violence and the systemic violence that comes with poverty, disinvestment and the neglect of our communities. This is a very traumatic event for the whole city and I want to extend my love and solidarity to theContinue

This week, our staff and volunteers were busy making calls to 33rd Ward seniors, and today we were able to get 100 more people vaccinated through our partnership with Oak Street Health! While we are making progress in vaccine equity in Chicago, vaccination rates in our neighborhoods and those on the South and West sides are still lower than those in neighborhoods in and around the Loop.  We are continuing to advocate for more community vaccination sites, but in the meantime, please spread the word: our office and volunteers can help eligible residents find appointments! Illinois is currently seeing theContinue

This week, Chicago entered Phase 1C of its vaccine rollout. That means adults with underlying conditions and all essential workers--such as restaurant employees, hotel workers, clergy members, hairdressers, and construction workers--are now eligible. If you are eligible for vaccination but haven't been able to find an appointment, we've assembled a team that can help! Call our office or submit your information here. Next, Friday, April 9, we will also be hosting a community vaccination event here in the ward specifically for seniors and Medicare recipients. Pre-registration is required and; please submit your information here and you will get a call back toContinue

In the wake of the horrific violence in Atlanta this week, it's critical that we stand with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander neighbors. We are so lucky to have here in the 33rd ward the HANA Center, which organizes with Korean American and multiethnic immigrant communities. Today, I want to share some resources from them and other organizations doing this important work.  I encourage everyone to read the HANA Center's powerful statement on the murders of Asian American women in Atlanta, and how anti-Asian violence is inextricably linked to broader white supremacy and U.S. militarism.   Asian Americans Advancing Justice will also be holdingContinue