33rd Ward News – Page 4 – Rossana Rodriguez

Category: 33rd Ward News

2020 Participatory Budgeting Results

Our participatory budgeting process asked residents two questions: What percentage of our total menu funding should to go street repairs, and Which projects residents would like to see funded with the remaining money. As a result of the vote, 50 percent of menu funding--a total of about $500,000--will go towards street and alley repaving. The Department of Transportation makes the ultimate determination of which streets are priorities. (NB: Currently, aldermanic menu funds are the only funds available for street/alley resurfacing. The Inspector General thinks this should change, and so we do-- read more about that here). The remaining funding will beContinue

2020 Participatory Budgeting

The Office of 33rd Ward Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez is committed to the values of ward democracy and social justice. We invite you to participate in participatory budgeting to advance these values! PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING (PB) The 33rd Ward has joined seven other wards that will be using the Participatory Budgeting process to decide how to allocate our annual $1 million in Aldermanic Menu Funds. Menu funds are the only funds that are allocated to each ward for infrastructure improvements including all streets, alley, and sidewalk repavements. PB is a civic engagement program that increases transparency and democratic participation inContinue

Community Meeting for Proposed Development at 2801 W Montrose

This fall, our office launched the first community-driven zoning and development process in the 33rd Ward. Our elected representatives should be accountable to the people they represent, not politically connected developers. Therefore, this process makes zoning changes contingent on approval from community stakeholders, and commits our office to informing and involving community organizations at every stage. You can read the full policy we follow here. On Monday, the North River Commission and several neighborhood organizations held a meeting to brief residents about a proposed project at 2801 W Montrose, the current site of Ruby's Dry Cleaners. The developers for the project, MVAH Partners,Continue

“The Ripple”

This week, our office was honored to host the unveiling of "The Ripple," a community art and education project that the 33rd Ward Youth Council has been working on in partnership with artist Maxwell Emcays and families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Members of the community gathered to view the mural, share stories and talk about how we move forward together. It was a beautiful example of how supporting the creativity and leadership of young people can open up new spaces for change. The mural is now on display in our office, and you can read more about theContinue

On the picket lines supporting our teachers

Today my son and I walked the picket line with his teachers and staff, as well as those at our other neighborhood schools. Everywhere we went, neighbors were honking their horns in support. Parents dropped off coffee and donuts, and neighborhood restaurants donated food to make sure students didn't go without. As a former teacher myself, I know how hard the job is--especially when our schools don't have the resources they need. Teachers and staff are striking because they believe that we need one librarian, one social worker, and one nurse in every school. They are striking because strong schools withContinue