"Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Denver, Colorado for a national convening of progressive local elected officials. As part of the steering committee for the Public Safety Working Group, I had an opportunity to meet with the professionals who run the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program. This program is a mental health crisis response model that sends a paramedic and a social worker to mental health emergency calls. The STAR program has responded to 5,517 incidents without needing to call for police backup. Here in Chicago, I introduced the crisis response and care ordinance also known as Treatment NotContinue

[GTranslate]  In this weeks newsletter we highlight multiple opportunities for our neighbors to get involved in the community and attend back to school events for youth and families. CPS is starting the upcoming school year earlier than before! The first day of school is on August 22nd, and we have a couple events happening to help students and families get prepared. You are welcome to attend the Back to School Drive with Israel's Gift and the Back 2 School Fiesta! Backpacks and school supplies will be offered at both events. We hope to see you there! Through Participatory Budgeting inContinue

We are not going to stand by as the right-wing Supreme Court and the GOP roll back the clock on abortion access and reproductive health care. That’s why last week I introduced the Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary ordinance (O2022-2486) to protect people seeking or providing reproductive health and gender affirming care. One part of this ordinance will ensure that local law enforcement does not collaborate to criminalize people for receiving the medical care they need or people aiding others in accessing care. The executive order prohibits “any city agency from taking part in legal proceedings initiated by another state that wants to impose civil or criminalContinue

This week, I introduced three pieces of legislation that I worked very hard on the during the last few months:  ❤️ 1. Ordinance: The Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary City OrdinanceThe Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary City ordinance seeks to ensure that people who come to our city seeking or providing reproductive or gender affirming care or looking for refuge after receiving care elsewhere are as protected as possible from being criminalized. We are working with our colleagues at every level of government and with community and advocacy organizations like Chicago Abortion Fund, Planned Parenthood IL, Equality IL and so many others to ensure that ourContinue

I am proud to co-sponsor an ordinance calling for the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention alongside Live Free and other community groups highly impacted by gun violence. In 2021 alone, 745 Chicagoans were killed due to gun violence, and Black Chicagoans were victims of more than 80% of homicides. For years, community members, organizers, faith leaders, students and more have been fighting for safety in their communities. Our current Office of Violence Reduction was a step in the right direction, but is nowhere near enough. The goal of the ordinance is to create community accountability, long-term, andContinue

Our hearts break for the victims and survivors of this week’s tragic shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park.In response to the shooting, I want to share a timely article with you, “If we want to curb gun violence, we need more investments in treatment, written by local faith leaders about curbing gun violence and treating community members who have lost their loved ones and witnessed violence. In recognition of the trauma that Chicagoans know all too well, I have been fighting for the creation of a citywide non-police crisis response and care system within the Public Health Department andContinue

You're invited to an amazing yard sale on Sunday, July 9th in Avondale with 60+ participating addresses! Date & Time: Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 9am-3pm Read more about the Avondale Yard Sale here! Neighbors are encouraged to join this facebook group to get updates from neighbors about what items they are selling at their yard sales.Check out the interactive map of the participating addresses.  Residents can stop by the office next week to pick up a printed map of the participating addresses. In This Week's Newsletter Quick Links  Request services33rd Ward CalendarChiStreetWork construction portalSenior ServicesReview Zoning ProposalsResources for Renters *Want more information on communityContinue

Today the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade--which for 50 years protected our ability to make decisions over our bodies and our reproduction. It’s a brutal moment in history that threatens to take us back to the time when so many died from unsafe, illegal abortions.  I want to remind us all that our right to legal and safe reproductive care is protected in Illinois. We will do everything we can protect and support all people in need of abortion care.  I'm working with my colleague Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and legal advocacy groups to ensure our city is a sanctuary for anyone seekingContinue

During last year’s budget negotiations, I fought really hard alongside grassroots organizations, like the Collaborative for Community Wellness coalition, to expand services in our public mental health clinics. Photos by Karina Mireya, @kaymireya.jpeg Thanks to this fight, we won a 70% increase in staffing for the clinics!Some of these positions are now open and you can apply! We need dedicated clinicians to help us heal this city, and we demand that our public mental health clinics are increasingly funded and supported. Click through these graphics on the Collaborative for Community Wellness's Instagram page to learn more about how we need Treatment Not Trauma in Chicago! Check out the openContinue

This week, it was such a joy to witness Roosevelt High School students graduate! They have shown so much resolve and resilience in the face of the pandemic- tackling virtual learning, fighting for safety in their schools, maintaining social bonds and community building spaces, and so much more.  We are so proud of all of you, and wish everyone happiness and success on your next adventures. 🎉 Congratulations Roosevelt High School Class of 2022!  In This Week's Newsletter Quick Links  Request services33rd Ward CalendarChiStreetWork construction portalSenior ServicesReview Zoning ProposalsResources for Renters *Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check outContinue