In 2020 I introduced the Crisis Response and Care council order to create a mental health crisis response model to address mental health emergencies without police. The model also known as "Treatment Not Trauma" included re-opening the shuttered Public Mental Health Clinics run by the city. Through much organizing, we were able to get a small non-police response pilot. Although it is a step in the right direction, it's a very small program that needs to be expanded urgently. I have been visiting similar programs in other cities and they have been extremely successful and are being expanded as aContinue

Save the date for our upcoming Virtual Budget Town Hall on November 1st. More details coming soon! To watch previous city budget hearings, please click here.  **** Earlier this week our office hosted a public zoning meeting to review the proposal for 3219 N Elston Avenue. We are taking public comments and feedback on this proposal until the end of the day on Wednesday, October 26th in accordance with our Community Driven Zoning and Development policies. Follow this link to submit feedback. All public comments and feedback will be shared with the Alderwoman before  a final decision is made about whether to recommendContinue

As you may know, it's time to create the city budget for 2023. Our mayor has proposed a budget for next year, and in the following weeks City Council will discuss and vote on the proposed budget. Before City Council meets on this issue, we will host a virtual  Budget Townhall on November 1st with the 35th Ward Alderman, Carlos Ramirez, to hear neighbor feedback about the proposed budget. Please stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages for more information. To watch previous city budget hearings, please click here.  **** Our office is accepting donations for the asylum seekersContinue

After carefully considering our community's needs, I decided to accept the aldermanic salary increase and use the money for critical work in our ward around restorative justice and addressing violence. As I explained before, the members of the city council receive salary increases based on inflation - a policy put in place by one of my predecessors. While I do not agree that I need a 10% salary increase this year, I do believe that our community and neighborhoods desperately need more resources after years of disinvestment. That is why I have decided to take the $12,542 increase and use theContinue

Earlier this week Chicago’s City Council passed the Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary City Ordinance! This ordinance will ensure that local law enforcement does not collaborate with outside law enforcements to criminalize people for seeking the medical care they need or people aiding others in access care. This ordinance was modeled after the Welcoming Cities Ordinance that has made Chicago a “sanctuary city” for undocumented residents, the ordinance also calls for expanding Chicago’s 311 nonemergency line to provide information and resources to people seeking access to abortion and gender-affirming care. For more information on this huge achievement, follow this link. Thank you toContinue

Dear Community, As you know the members of the city council receive salary increases based on inflation and they can increase or decrease depending on the index. These raises are automatic and we don’t vote for them, we get to decide if we take the raise or not. For context, aldermanic salaries are on average the same as a CPS school principal.As I tried to figure out a way to put the money to use in our ward, I was told by the budget department that we can’t separate a portion of our salary and use it for specific governmentContinue

September 15th is a significant day because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. This week, we want to highlight the Guatemalan community here in Chicago and we invite you to celebrate with us for their Independence Day Parade happening Sunday, September 11th at 11 am.   **** Yesterday, members of the City Council Committee for Health and Human Relations made huge strides toward making Chicago safe for people seeking gender-affirming care throughContinue

This week our city received 75 immigrant neighbors from different countries in Central America and Venezuela. As you know, we made Chicago a Sanctuary City and we are intentionally working to be a welcoming place for all people in need of refuge. We are collaborating with the city, state, and delegation agencies to ensure the well-being of the individuals and families that have recently arrived. Donations are being accepted at the 33rd Ward Alderman's office (3001 W Irving Park Rd), the 35th Ward Alderman's office (2934 N Milwaukee Ave), and Rincon Family Services (3710 N Kedzie Ave). Items being collected:Continue

This year, our ward has experienced an influx of infrastructure development, which has been vital for the improvement of our streets, alleys, and sidewalks. We'd like to provide updates on these changes and give more information on what's to come: Kedzie Ave has been resurfaced, neighbors can expect to see traffic lanes and bike lanes drawn soon!CDOT is currently building curb extensions on Irving Park Rd, Belmont Ave, and Montrose Ave to aid in pedestrian safety when crossing the street and enforcing vehicles to slow down. Curb extensions on Montrose Ave is scheduled for the week of September 5th.Lawrence Ave hasContinue

In anticipation of the upcoming school year, which begins on August 22nd, I took time this week to visit each school within our ward. It was beautiful to witness the excitement and dedication the school staff holds for all of their students. 2021-22 School Improvements: North River Elementary will begin the school year in their brand new building! This achievement was pursued through community advocacy.Roosevelt High School is preparing for the construction of the $5.8M investment we secured through TIF funding. Roosevelt High School has been serving our community for 100 years and next year they’ll be able to haveContinue