Happy Holidays!
We hope you are finding moments of joy this season, whether you’re attending community events, supporting local causes, or enjoying time with friends and family.
We wish you a warm holiday, and please read on for the latest on upcoming events, donation drives, and updates from our office.
Important Office Closure Notice
Please note that the District Office will be closed for the holiday season on the following dates:
- Monday, December 22nd through Friday, December 26th
- Thursday, January 1st
While our office will be closed, we will be checking emails and phone messages to address any urgent needs. We remain committed to supporting you throughout the holidays.
IL-12 Holiday Giving Guide
The holidays are a great time to give back. Supporting local organizations uplifts our community and helps to make Illinois’s 12th District a stronger, more compassionate place.
Your generosity makes a real difference. Below are a few of many organizations that can always use some extra hands and support.
Human Services & Food Security
- Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS): LPCS unites the community to empower individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve stability and independence. Your support sustains their essential services—providing food, shelter, and case management—and ensures compassionate, high-quality care for every guest on their journey toward a brighter, more stable future.
- Nourishing Hope: Provides food, mental health, and social services so that all of our neighbors can thrive. Supporting their mission will help them provide these much-needed services to Chicagoans in need.
- Care for Friends: Serves 9,000 sit-down, hot meals each year to any guest in need through a three-days-per-week lunch program (Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm). Meals, which emphasize fresh produce and high protein, are served with dignity and respect by a dedicated volunteer corps.
Animal Welfare & Environment
- PAWS Chicago: One of the nation’s largest No Kill animal welfare organizations. This year alone, they are on pace to find homes for 5,000 pets, perform 21,000 spay/neuter surgeries, and assist 26,000 at-risk animals. Their annual You Give, They Live campaign invites animal lovers to join their life-saving mission and help build a No Kill Chicago.
- Lincoln Park Zoo: Your support keeps this shared Chicago treasure free and open 365 days a year, funding world-class animal care, global conservation efforts, and exceptional education programs. You can donate directly, symbolically Adopt an Animal, or purchase enrichment items from their Wish List to directly contribute to the daily care and welfare of their more than 650 animal species.
Toy & Gift Drives
- Salvation Army Angel Tree: The Angel Tree program provides new toys and clothing donations to more than one million children in need each year. You can purchase gifts for children through Walmart’s Spark Good Registry, and the Salvation Army will distribute them on Christmas morning.
- Toys for Tots: Collects new, unwrapped toys in December via collection boxes in local businesses for children in need.
- 18th Police District: Now through December 10th, the 18th Police District is collecting new toys, coats, scarves, hats, and school supplies for the youth ages from 5-17 in the community. Drop off is at the 18th District Lobby (1160 N. Larrabee Chicago, IL). For more information, call 312-472-5578.
In the Community
43rd Ward Shred Event
Team Croke joined Alderman Timmy Knudsen for their Fall Paper Shredding event. Thank you to everyone who came by, and thank you to R4 Services for providing their expertise!
OTMRA Burton Place Plaza Tree Lighting
My Director of Community Engagement, Olivia, attended OTMRA’s Burton Place Plaza Tree Lighting alongside Senator Feigenholtz and Alderman Hopkins. It was a great way to kick off the Holiday season and spread some holiday cheer!
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Kickoff & Tree Lighting
My office joined the celebration of the opening of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s 31st annual ZooLights! This beloved holiday tradition will be open through January 4th, running from 4:30-9PM Sunday through Thursday, and 4:30-10PM on Fridays and Saturdays (closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Lincoln Park Zoo’s website here.
Government Updates
Secretary of State
Illinoisans can now add their driver’s license or state ID to their Apple wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch. Available now, you can present it in person, online, and in-app at select businesses, organizations and airports. For more information or for some frequently asked questions, click here.
Chicago Department of Transportation
CTA’s Bus Priority Corridor Study (BPCS) which will explore ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable for riders on five key bus corridors, including
- Pulaski Ave (from Peterson to 87th)
- Western Avenue (from Howard to 79th)
- Cottage Grove Avenue (from 35th to 115th)
- Fullerton Avenue (Fullerton Ave between Halsted Street and Grand/Nordica Ave)
- 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard (from Cicero to South Hyde Park)
The study is a major next step toward implementation of the Better Streets for Buses Plan—a framework developed by CTA and CDOT to enhance the bus riding experience through infrastructure improvements to streets, sidewalks, and signals. To learn more or to provide feedback, click here.
Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have a variety of grants available:
- The Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program will provide funding to support the development of community solar projects to promote community ownership and energy sovereignty. The program provides capital on solar and renewable energy projects for individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other groups. The Department prioritizes funding for projects that demonstrate direct and tangible benefits to the local community.
The deadline to apply for this grant is December 31st by 5pm CST and rewards range from $50,000 – $1,000,000. For more details contact Matthew Swaine at Matthew.Swaine@Illinois.gov or click here.
- The Illinois Reproductive Grant Extension Program will provide grants for pregnancy centers which include organizations or facilities that have health care employees, volunteers, or agents who are licensed health care professionals. Pregnancy-related services include any medical service, or health counseling service, related to the prevention, preservation, or termination of pregnancy.
The application deadline is rolling and the rewards range from $50,000 – $500,000. For more details, contact Julia Griffin (CEO.ILReprodHealth@illinois.
gov) or click here.
Upcoming Events and Community Meetings
19th Police District Council Meeting
The 19th Police District Council will host their next meeting on Saturday, December 13th at 11AM at Uptown Library (Uptown Library 929 W Buena Ave). For more information, click here.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Enjoy one of Chicagoland’s favorite holiday traditions until January 4, 2026: the Lincoln Park ZooLights. Enjoy over 3 million lights, nostalgic LED displays, and festive experiences. Buy tickets and learn more here.
Shoppers Extravaganza and Holiday Treat Stroll
Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce makes holiday shopping easy and fun by offering both a special discount and a festive event! On Saturday, December 6th, from 11 am to 3 pm, get 25% off local gift cards (accepted at 200+ businesses, $500 max per household) when you purchase them at the Broadway Chamber office (3138 N. Broadway). Plus, enjoy the annual Holiday Treat Stroll while you shop, where local merchants hand out treats for everyone who stops in!
Clark Street Cookie Crawl
Kick off the holiday season with sweet treats and festive fun at the Clark Street Cookie Crawl! Visit businesses along Clark Street to collect a variety of delicious holiday cookies. Enjoy surprises along the way including carolers, hot chocolate, and the chance to snap photos with Santa. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends! To buy tickets, click here.
Joy for Toys
The North Dearborn Association is hosting its 32nd Annual Joy of Toys on Saturday, December 6, from 11:30 am – 2:30 PM at Mario’s Table (21 W Goethe St). Donate toys and enjoy complimentary refreshments (wine, beer, and soft drinks) while you’re there. Donate online here.
Resources
Know Your Rights
Understanding your rights is vital for all individuals in the United States. The information above provides helpful guidance for encounters with ICE. For further support and resources, visit the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance website or Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide.
Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response
Residents of the 19th Police District are encouraged to keep the above contact information for Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response. If you or someone you know may be struggling with a mental health crisis, please utilize these resources.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) is the central hub for hunger relief across Cook County, acting as a resource that addresses both immediate food needs and long-term stability. The GCFD supplies a vast network of over 800 partner organizations (including pantries and soup kitchens) with millions of meals annually. Use their find food map to view hours, locations, information for all of our Cook County and Chicago food pantries, meal programs and distribution partners.
Hotline and Warmline Behavioral Health Resources for Chicagoland Area
PAWS Shoutout
We have a PAWS shoutout for December: Meet Rica!
Rica is a people-pleaser who greets everyone with undeniable joy. She’s always geared up for a walk, and while she uses treats to practice her leash manners, be warned: she’s a clever negotiator who will have you reaching for the gourmet snacks in no time. She’s also a fantastic social butterfly who meets new dog friends with high-fives and happy dances.
Rica is available for adoption at PAWS Chicago’s Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue. Visit pawschicago.org and make your adoption appointment today!
Social Media
For the latest updates on bills, Springfield happenings, and helpful resources, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Wishing you a safe and healthy December. As always, please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns. We are always here as a resource!
