🦋💪Know Your Rights and Immigration Updates
Dear Neighbor,
With the ongoing increase of ICE activity in our communities, I would like to take this week’s newsletter to share some important updates and resources to keep us all informed and aware.
Our office has been working with the Northwest Side Rapid Response team to respond to potential ICE sightings. Last week, this team was notified by a credible source of potential ICE raids at upcoming cultural events on the Northwest Side. The rapid response team, Progressive Northwest Side elected officials, the Chicago Park District, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), and community leaders have been collaborating to ensure safety measures are in place to keep residents attending these events and in nearby areas safe, and to ensure our local law enforcement upholds our welcoming laws. Additionally, trained rapid response volunteers have been present at these events to respond to any reported sightings and to distribute Know Your Rights materials.
You can read the Northwest Side Rapid Response Team’s shared statement here. And if you would like to get connected to this local rapid response defense network, please email nwsdefense@gmail.com.
Our office also recently joined Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, community members and organizations, business owners, and local leaders for a Know Your Rights Business Crawl in Belmont Cragin to ensure our immigrant communities are well-informed and protected. For more information on workers’ rights, you can check out this toolkit from Arise Chicago.
I also wanted to address the recent end of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program, which served individuals aged 42 to 64, and was discontinued on July 1, 2025. While the HBIA program has been cut, the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program—serving eligible individuals aged 65 and older—will remain in place. Still, I am deeply devastated by the loss of healthcare access for so many of our neighbors and know the work continues for an Illinois where healthcare is a human right across the board.
Individuals previously enrolled in HBIA may have access to primary and preventative care at Federally Qualified Health Centers and free and charitable clinics that serve uninsured and underinsured people regardless of their immigration status and ability to pay. More information and free clinic locations can be found below:
In closing, we encourage community members to report any possible ICE sightings by calling ICIRR’s Family Support Network hotline at (855) 435-7693. You can access various immigration resources at bit.ly/nwsresources, and you can also reach out to my office—we are happy to help connect you to organizations and services for support.
All my best,
Will
Back to School Fair
Join my office, State Senator Graciela Guzman, and Northwest Center on Saturday, August 9, from 10am to 1pm at Kelvyn Park, 4438 W Wrightwood for our Annual Back to School Fair!
We are offering:
Free Backpacks*
Free School Supplies*
Produce Giveaway*
Free Haircuts
Health Vans
Fun Family Activities
We hope to see you there!
*While supplies last! Please note that all giveaways are on a first come, first serve basis!
Coffee and Conversation
Join Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez and me for coffee and a chance to discuss issues that are facing our communities. We’ll be at El Artesanal, 5217 W Diversey Ave. on Saturday July 19 from 10 to 11:30am. Please RSVP at the QR code on the above flyer. Please register at bit.ly/jwcoffee2025.
Mobile DMV
Our office is partnering with the Secretary of State and Northwest Side Elected Officials for a Mobile DMV on Saturday, August 2. Join us from 10am to 2pm at NEIU El Centro, 3390 N Avondale Ave. Please note, appointments require an RSVP. You can find out more information and sign up for an appointment here: bit.ly/2025dmv2.
IL State Legislative Community Report Forum
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance is hosting their IL State Legislative Community Report Forum on Thursday, July 24 at 6pm at 3000 N Elbridge. Seating is limited so please RSVP using the QR code on the flyer by Saturday, July 19. Hope to see you there!