As we head towards August, I’m pleased to see three critical measures – Treatment Not Trauma, Bring Chicago Home, and Plow the Sidewalks – are beginning to move forward.  Earlier this week, the Council Committee I chair, Health and Human Relations, held a subject matter hearing on Treatment Not Trauma. The committee also unanimously passed a resolution on Treatment Not Trauma that will go to the full City Council meeting on September 13. The first draft of Treatment Not Trauma was written in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and amid the racial reckoning that pushed us to imagine humaneContinue

This past Wednesday, I introduced a resolution calling for a subject matter hearing on Treatment Not Trauma. After three years of waiting for a hearing on reopening the city’s mental health clinics and piloting a non-police mental health crisis response, I’m excited to announce that Treatment Not Trauma will have a subject matter hearing this Monday at 10 AM as I preside over the Committee on Health and Human Relations for the first time. You watch the meeting live on the Chicago City Clerk’s website.  I cannot express how excited I am that this hearing is happening. If we’re goingContinue

This summer has seen multiple thunderstorms across the city and our community, including historic rainfalls that have resulted in many reports of flooding. Flooding is an unfortunate citywide issue that has not historically seen a citywide program to deal with it. However, Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez, along with Mayor Johnson and many members of city council, has been advocating for the re-establishing the Department of Environment, which would finally establish a city office to handle the issue of flooding head on and dedicate the appropriate resources to it. As climate change continues, it brings the increased likelihood and intensity of thunderstorms. ThisContinue

Earlier this week, a proposal to remediate the land at the First Nations Garden passed the City Council’s Finance Committee. It’s expected that the full City Council will vote on this next week. This is the first of its kind effort to use Tax Increment Financing funds to rehabilitate and remediate open space. I’m incredibly proud to see that this unique proposal is happening in the 33rd Ward and it’s for community members and stewards of and a space so dynamic as First Nations Garden. One need only look at Ben Joravsky’s extensive reporting on TIFs over the years toContinue

Earlier this week, Chicago experienced some of the poorest air quality in the entire world for several days as a result of smoke and debris from Canadian wildfires. Since Canadian wildfires are expected to get worse in the immediate future, not better, Chicago could face a similar situation again in the coming weeks. Please consider using this time to get prepared and to educate yourself, loved ones, elders, neighbors, and community members about air quality risks. It’s recommended that you keep your doors and windows shut as much as possible on bad air days and use air purifiers, fans, and air cleaners.Continue

In the 33rd Ward, our office uses a practice that we call Community Driven Zoning and Development (CDZD) to collect questions, comments, and feedback regarding zoning and land use decisions. As part of our process, our office gives a number of neighbor-led organizations and community groups the opportunity to take a “first look” at zoning change applications. This zoning process originated with the 35th Ward and our office adopted the process shortly after I took office.  Several weeks ago, Full Circle Communities and Visionary Ventures, an affordable housing developer, submitted an application for a zoning change to our office whichContinue

This Monday is Juneteenth, which recognizes the day in which Union troops reached one of the most remote places in the South – Galveston, Texas – and word first reached enslaved Black Americans there that slavery was dead and they were free citizens. At its core, Juneteenth is a holiday about emancipation, freedom, and liberation. Last year was the very first year that the city of Chicago officially recognized Juneteenth as a full holiday. City offices including ours will be closed. There are a significant number of Juneteenth celebrations happening throughout the city of Chicago. Block Club Chicago compiled aContinue

Today I met with the Mayor and collaborated for community wellness which started a conversation on how to deliver Treatment Not Trauma for our communities. We are excited about this partnership and the willingness of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration to engage in a collaborative process to make it happen! **** Summer is here and that means it’s time to make the most of Chicago summer. Get outdoors and visit the riverwalk, Horner Park, and Drake Gardens to name just a few of the incredible places in our ward! Chicago summer also means it's patio season. The 33rd WardContinue

Earlier this week, I was proud to help pass two urgent and critical ordinances that were before the City Council. The first was $51 million in emergency funding to provide the logistical support to temporarily housing the arrived asylum seekers. The second was the permanent expansion of the city’s pandemic-era outdoor dining program. **** Although it was incredibly disappointing to see this much needed funding delayed by a handful of City Council colleagues, I was hearted to see the overwhelming response of support in authorizing the use of emergency funding this past Wednesday. This funding will enable the Office ofContinue

Earlier this week at the first meeting of the new City Council, I was elected as the the new Chair of the city’s Health and Human Relations Committee. This committee is particularly close to my heart because all the work I’ve been doing alongside community to have robust mental health and community care structures to serve everyone. I’m looking forward to using this powerful platform to hear and pass critical legislation on issues such as mental healthcare, bodily autonomy and gender affirming care, public bathrooms, and truly building a city that is a sanctuary for all.  I will also beContinue