Dear 33rd Ward Community,  This week, as many of us gather with loved ones to celebrate our ability to be in community with each other, I want to take time to thank the people in our communities who dedicate their lives to helping others find peace, heal, and fight for a better world. All my gratitude today to the organizers, activists, advocates, community leaders, and parents who are working to care for our community and build a world free of oppression.  It may feel difficult to find joy in a time when so many are experiencing or remembering loss. TomorrowContinue

Dear 33rd Ward Community,  On Wednesday, the City Council met to vote on Mayor Johnson’s proposed budget for 2024, which passed with 41 votes in favor. I voted yes to support this budget proposal because of the Mayor’s efforts to make significant investments in our communities and support programs that our communities have been organizing for many years to see.  I am excited to see the first investments in opening public mental health clinics, with funds set aside to open and staff two new clinics this year. I will be working with the Treatment Not Trauma working group over theContinue

Dear 33rd Ward Community,  Yesterday my office hosted an educational meeting with Sierra Club of Illinois’s local volunteers and the Citizens Utility Board related to the future of Chicago’s energy grid and the impacts of continuing to invest in fossil fuel burning technologies in our homes. Sierra Club is a national organization focused on the protection of the environment. We are very grateful to have their expertise available to our community. The Citizens Utility Board is an independent group looking to educate communities on the impacts of decisions made by our energy providers.  They presented our neighbors with information relatedContinue

Dear 33rd Ward Community,  This week I would like to share that we have a community event at our office on Wednesday to learn about healthy homes and climate initiatives, and two health fairs in the area on Saturday morning.  We have also partnered with Sierra Club and Citizens Utility Board to host an event at our office on Wednesday from 4-6pm. Have you ever thought about what burning fossil fuels in our homes might be doing to our health - not to mention our climate? Clean and affordable alternatives are available now. Sierra Club and Citizens Utility Board areContinue

Dear 33rd Ward Community,  My staff and I had a full week of community events. We were so happy to see our young neighbors and families out enjoying Halloween activities. We started our weekend with the Hibbard Harvest Fest on Friday afternoon. We played games and passed out a lot of candy! On Saturday morning, we hosted a pumpkin painting station at the Bateman Elementary BOOOsterfest. We want to thank everyone that attended these events and supported our school communities. Events like these inspire me and everyone in my office, and remind us why we do the work that weContinue