☀️💚 Check out these Summer Resources!
Dear Neighbor,
The school year has come to a close, graduation season has wrapped up for many students, and the summer solstice arrived over the weekend—summer is officially here in Chicago! In this week’s newsletter, I’m sharing a collection of resources to help Illinois families make the most of the season, including information on food assistance, extreme weather preparedness, and fun, family-friendly activities happening across the city.
Food Support
Summer EBT is back to help eligible families buy food during the summer months. Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120. Most eligible children will receive benefits automatically, while some households may need to apply.
Visit abe.illinois.gov/sebtPortal to:
Use the screener to check eligibility
Find out if you need to apply
Get the latest Summer EBT updates
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is a food and education assistance program for low-income seniors. This program provides benefits that help Seniors eat well and stay healthy by increasing access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and local honey. Find out more information and eligibility requirements here.
The WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and stay healthy. Find out more information and eligibility requirements here.
Through the Summer Meals and LunchStop Program, Chicago Public Schools offers free meals during summer break for all children up to the age of 18. Meal service dates and times vary by location. ID is not required, but children must be present, and meals must be consumed onsite. Summer meals are offered at two types of locations:
LunchStop sites, marked in orange on the map, serve free lunch outdoors at select schools.
In-school meal sites, marked in blue on the map, serve free meals at any school that is open for summer programs.
For questions, email food@cps.edu.
Onward House is hosting a Free Farmers Market and Clothing Distribution Event this Saturday, June 27, from 9:00am to 12:00pm or until produce and clothing lasts! This event will be at Onward House, 5413 W Diversey, and is open to all community members regardless of zip code.
Extreme Weather
With extreme heat in next week’s forecast, please take note of cooling centers throughout the city and suburbs to stay safe. All city libraries, police stations, and many park district buildings act as cooling centers to offer relief during periods of extreme heat. You can find more information and tips to remain cool during extreme heat here.
When heavy rain is expected, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has several tips to reduce your use of water during and after storms to help prevent flooding and protect water quality.
Additionally, you can use 311 or contact your city alderperson for storm-related concerns, like fallen tree limbs, hanging branches, basement flooding, and drainage issues.
If you are a SNAP recipient who has received your benefits for a particular month and has lost power for more than 4 hours due to extreme weather, you can request a replacement of food that was destroyed. Find out more information here.
The Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program recently launched a Flood Mitigation Rebate Program for members to support homeowners in implementing flood prevention improvements to protect their properties. If you are interested in becoming a member and applying for this program please reach out to NWHEAP at (773) 622-0700.
Activities
The Chicago Department of Transportation aims to offer all Chicagoans an affordable, accessible, and fun transportation option through the Divvy for Everyone program. This program provides a $5 Annual Membership to qualifying residents. Find out more information here.
The Portage-Cragin Library is offering summer programming for kids, teens, and adults. You can find more details and register for programs here: Events | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons. You can also find summer reading lists, events, and activities for all ages here: Summer at CPL | Chicago Public Library.
At YMCAs across the city, Chicago teens ages 12 through 18 can join any of the seven city YMCAs for free — no fees, no barriers. Current 12- to 18-year-old members in the city will also receive complimentary memberships in July and August. You can learn more here.
Chicago Park District pools opened on Friday, June 19. A full list of swimming pools across the city, along with their hours and schedules can be found here. And there are of course movies in the park, farmers markets, and all kinds of festivals in parks throughout the city all summer long.
My office also has a constituent museum resource card that can be used to grant admission for up to four visitors to many of the museums across Chicago and Illinois. Residents of the 39th District may use the pass for 1 day or for a weekend and must return it to our office after use. Reach out to our office at (773) 853-2570 or will@repguzzardi.com for more information and to reserve the resource card.
All my best,
Will
MFS Community Resource Fair
Join Metropolitan Family Services for their Community Resources Fair on Friday, June 26, from 10am to 1pm! In addition to information on local services and resources, there will also be raffles, snacks, and giveaways in the MFS North Center Parking Lot at 3249 N Central Ave.
Social Security Resource Event
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez's office is hosting a Social Security Resource Event on Friday, June 26, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Life Impacters Foundation, 2100 N Kildare Ave. The presentation by the Social Security Administration will begin at 9:00am, followed by individual assistance provided by SSA staff to support with:
Retirement benefits
Disability benefits
Medicare basics
How to use a “my Social Security” account
Fraud detection
Other SSA concerns
Homebuyer Expo
The Spanish Coalition for Housing is hosting their 25th Camino a Su Casa - Homebuyer Expo on Saturday, June 27, at Malcolm X College from 10 am to 2 pm. Whether you're just starting your homebuying journey or ready to purchase a home, this can't-miss event connects you with trusted experts, lenders, housing counselors, and valuable programs, including access to down payment assistance and grants of more than $70,000 for eligible homebuyers. Register here: sc4housing.org/getyouhome.
Chopin Park Summer Fest
The Chopin Park Advisory Council is hosting their first Summer Fest on Saturday, June 27, from 12 to 8 pm, at Chopin Park, 3420 N Long Ave. It will be a fun day filled with live music from 7 bands, 80+ food and goods vendors, a Kids Zone featuring multiple inflatables, and a beer garden hosted by Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill.
CPAC is also looking for volunteers to help with the event. You can learn more and sign up here.
CPS Community Budget Feedback Session
In June and July, Chicago Public Schools will host a series of Budget Community Roundtables to gather input from students, staff, families, and community members. Each meeting will include an update from district leaders on the budget as well as a roundtable discussion. All sessions will include Spanish and ASL translation, and participants planning to attend the Community Feedback Sessions should RSVP at this link. Visit CPS.edu/budget for more information.