📢💪Community Highlights: A Look at Recent Events
Dear Neighbor,
In between heading back and forth from Chicago to Springfield for the legislative session, my office and I have been busy out in the community and wanted to take a moment to share some of the great events we have been part of! Here's a quick look at where we've been and what we've been up to:
We joined State Senator Graciela Guzman, Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and Northwest Center Senior Center for a Mother’s Day Senior Bingo celebrating the matriarchs in our community.
Last week, my office joined Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and Senator Dick Durbin for a walking tour of local businesses in Avondale to celebrate National Small Business Week, highlighting the essential role small businesses play in our local economy, the unique character they bring to our neighborhoods, and the challenges posed by upcoming tariffs.
On the 15th Anniversary of Latino Unity Day, I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate, along with advocates from across the state, to stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and to reaffirm that Illinois remains a welcoming state for all. From advancing policies that protect our communities to grassroots organizing, we are united and resolute in the face of threats from this federal administration.
We participated in the Bike the Boulevards ride, exploring the Northwest Side from Koz Park to Humboldt Park to Garfield Park with ALSO, West Town Bikes, the 25th Police District Council, the Cook County 8th District office, Alderman Anthony Quezada, and Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.
In Belmont Cragin, we connected with elder neighbors to share important state resources at Sen. Guzman's Senior Resource Fair, and we joined Rep. Lindsey LaPointe and Sen. Robert Martwick at their Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Licensing Application Assistance Event.
I’ve met with community advocates in the district and in Springfield to discuss funding for Illinois Access to Justice, the importance and necessity of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program for our communities, and Youth Guidance’s successful youth violence prevention programs.
I hosted a Coffee and Conversation at Chiya Chai with Sen. Guzman, connecting with neighbors to discuss what legislation we're working on in Springfield, as well as urgent issues affecting us all like healthcare, housing, the rising cost of living, immigrants’ rights, and deportation defense.
I stopped by The Bloc to put on some gloves and learn about their impactful work supporting and engaging youth through boxing.
My staff passed out warm meals with Chi-Care, ALSO, and Northwest Center, learned more about the ongoing work of Parent Mentors and the Ladders of Opportunity Program at Marvin Camras Children's Engineering Elementary School, and has been attending Local School Council meetings and canvassing to share know your rights information with our neighbors.
With a few more weeks until the spring legislative session comes to a close, I’m energized by all we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited to stay connected this summer, celebrate our communities, and keep pushing for progress across Illinois!
All my best—
Will
Self Defense Workshops
The 14th District Council and Thousand Waves are hosting a self defense workshop on Monday, June 2 at 7pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 3325 W Wrightwood Ave. Registration is pending, but if you or someone you know would like to be on the priority waitlist, you can sign up here: bit.ly/dc14selfdefense.
Essay Competition
The Illinois Psychiatric Society is hosting the third annual Carl C. Bell, MD Memorial Award Essay Competition as a community initiative for Illinois High School students. This Essay Contest is open to all high school students in Illinois and submissions are due on May 15. The award recipient will receive a $500 cash prize. Their submission will also be presented at the 2025 IPS Annual Meeting and published in “Mind Matters,” the official IPS newsletter publication and invited to our Annual Meeting in September. Second and third place award recipients will receive a $250 cash prize. You can find more information and apply here: https://www.illinoispsychiatricsociety.org/carl-c-bell-award.
Chopin Park Peach March and Rally
Join Northwest Side elected officials, community organizations, and the newly formed Chopin Park Advisory Council for a peace rally and march on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 12pm at Chopin Park, 3420 N Long Ave. Let’s come together to uplift unity, safety, and community. All are welcome!
Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame
The Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame was established by the General Assembly in 1994 to honor older adults’ accomplishments and contributions to their communities. Each year, four Illinoisans aged 65 or older are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their work in community service, education, arts, sports, or the labor force. Nominations for 2025 inductees must be submitted by June 1. You can submit nominations here: Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame Nomination Form.