CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, Jr., D-Chicago, condemns the Border Patrol raid in Old Irving Park on October 25. Conversely, Andrade thanks community members for jumping
into action, lauding the community’s response and use of non-violent tactics to protect neighbors attending a Halloween celebration at the time of the incident.

“Even though this area is no longer in my district, I represented this area for nearly a decade,” said Andrade. “These people aren’t just my former constituents– they’re my friends, and some of the kindest, most respectful people I have ever met. I was honored to work with them, and I am horrified by how federal immigration officials are treating them.”

Before a Halloween parade, neighbors saw a man being detained by federal immigration agents. Launching into action, they began blowing whistles to alert the community of their presence. Moments before the parade was supposed to start, immigration officials launched tear gas into the group of neighbors who came out to protect and raise awareness. Three people were arrested during the raid, two of whom are U.S. Citizens.

Andrade represented Old Irving Park and the surrounding area from 2013 until the 2020 Census redistricting. After years of representing the area, Andrade understands the dedication and respectability of these residents.

“I’m not at all surprised that in a terrifying moment, the community came together to support their neighbors and friends,” said Andrade. “They showed exactly why we need to come together and embrace our community. Forming community response groups, using whistles and even helping vulnerable families know their rights: that’s how we push back at the local level against this gross abuse of power by the federal government. I’m proud that despite intimidation and violence, community members were kind and brave enough to defend their peers.”

​CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is teaming up with 33^rd Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez to provide a free flu shot clinic for the community on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Roosevelt High School located at 3436 W. Wilson Ave, in Chicago. Attendees are encouraged to enter through the courtyard off of Leland Ave.

“Getting a flu shot is a great way to stay healthy and protect the community,” Andrade said. “Some of the most vulnerable people in our community are medically unable to receive a flu vaccination, so events like these are great opportunities to help stop the spread of the flu and keep the people we care about safe.”

Andrade has held free flu shot clinics in the past in conjunction with local leaders and Alderpeople. He frequently partners with community health organizations to connect residents to different health care options in their neighborhoods. Recently, he partnered with 39rd Ward Ald. Samantha Nugent to provide flu shots and a community health fair for residents.

“I encourage residents to come and take advantage of the free vaccine offered at our flu shot clinic. Alderperson Rodriguez and I are excited to collaborate and make this happen,” Andrade said. “Receiving a free vaccination is a simple, but effective way to stay healthy in the winter months when people are at greatest risk of catching the flu.”

CHICAGO – Following a September gunshot incident near Bateman Elementary School in Irving Park, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is joining residents for a march against gun violence, organized by Peace for the Park, on Oct. 18.

“The outpouring of support after the incident at Bateman has been amazing to watch, and I’m glad to be part of this movement,” Andrade said. “Our community doesn’t let gun violence in our backyard go unanswered, and this march is a first step in building a lasting movement to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Andrade has sponsored several gun reform measures as a state Representative including the Fix the FOID legislation proposed after a mass shooting in Aurora earlier this year. The legislation would fix loopholes in Illinois’ FOID card system, and allow police to more easily confiscate weapons from people whose FOID cards have been revoked.

The Peace for the Park march will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bateman Elementary school, located at 4220 N. Richmond St. From there, marchers will walk to Sanabel Bakery at 4213 N. Kedzie Ave, where Andrade and other elected officials and activists will address the crowd. Andrade hopes the community will turn out to show support for their neighbors.

“Knowing that there is the potential for gun violence around our schools has shaken a lot of people. Parents need to have the peace of mind that their kids are safe,” Andrade said. “You can help provide that peace of mind just by showing up Friday and adding your voice to the cause.”

CHICAGO – To help provide the community’s most vulnerable residents with utility bill assistance as the weather begins to cool down, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is drawing attention to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“The LIHEAP program is a vital way for vulnerable families in our community to receive assistance with their heating bills this winter,” Andrade said. “This program helps to ensure that struggling households don’t run the risk of not being able to afford utility bills during the frigid winter months.”

As of Oct. 1, seniors and persons with disabilities became eligible to apply for winter heating assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Disconnected households and families with children age 5 or under can begin applying for LIHEAP assistance beginning Nov. 1. Individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can apply for energy assistance beginning Dec. 1.

“No one should be forced to choose between providing food for their family and keeping their heat on this winter,” Andrade said. “I am proud to support, and will continue to support programs like these that provide such valuable assistance to those in need.”

For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to www.liheapIllinois.com, or call the LIHEAP toll-free hotline at 877 411-WARM (9276).

CHICAGO – October has been designated as the City Sticker Amnesty Month in an effort to create a more equitable Chicago. In order to ensure that residents are aware of this, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is helping spread the word about the newly implemented City Sticker Debt Relief Program.

“I highly encourage residents to take advantage of these reforms made in the interest of hard-working Chicago families,” Andrade said. “Penalties for not being in compliance with the city sticker program can stack up quickly and create financial burdens for families, so this historic move helps get more residents back on track.”

During the entire month of October, car owners can purchase a city sticker with no back charges or late fees. There’s also an option to purchase a reduced term sticker, which allows residents to purchase city stickers for a shorter period of time. In addition, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 residents can to have at least three city sticker tickets forgiven.

“Reforming our city’s broken ticketing system is an important step forward as we work to lift up working families,” Andrade said. “Building a Chicago that works for all residents is of utmost importance to me, and this program takes vital first steps to do that.”

​CHICAGO – In an effort to help residents stay safe and secure, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, held a free community shredding and prescription drug disposal event in Albany Park over the weekend. Over 50 residents came out to shred documents containing sensitive personal information and dispose of expired or unneeded prescription medication through the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

The event was held at Roosevelt High School in Albany Park in partnership with state Sen. Iris Y. Martinez, and 33rd Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez.

“These are my favorite kind of events to put on, because we’re providing a very valuable service to the community at no cost,” Andrade said. “Anyone who wasn’t able to come out should stay in touch with my office to keep updated on where we’re going to be in the future.”

CHICAGO – State Rep Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, stopped by Grover Cleveland Elementary School’s Fall Fest celebration in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood recently to wish parents, students, and faculty a happy new school year.

“As I send my own kids back to school, I want to wish everybody at Cleveland success in the coming year,” Andrade said. “High-quality education is the best way to build communities and create opportunity for everyone, and Cleveland Elementary is providing that opportunity to hundreds of students.”

Andrade supported several measures designed to increase the quality of education in advance of the 2019-20 school year, including a new law that sets a $40,000 minimum teacher salary in the state, and a budget that provides significant new funding to Chicago Public Schools through the new evidence-based funding model.

“The work I’ve been doing in Springfield is going to show up at neighborhood schools across Chicago this year and for years to come,” said Andrade. “Meeting the wonderful parents and teachers at Cleveland reminds me why this is some of the most important work I do as a state Representative.”

​

CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is partnering with state Sen. Iris Y. Martinez to host a free community shred day and prescription take back event on September 28^th at Roosevelt High School, starting at 9 a.m.

“Both document shredding and prescription take back are important services that help keep our community safe and secure. This is an opportunity to get both for free,” said Andrade. “Anyone who wants to take advantage of these services should join us at Roosevelt.”

​

CHICAGO – As part of his effort to promote clean neighborhoods, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, joined the People of East Albany Park Block Club (PEAP) this weekend for a community clean up event.

“It takes hard work to keep a community clean and looking nice, so I want to thank PEAP for doing their part for the neighborhood,” Andrade said. “I’m glad my staff and I could come out and help them today.

Residents came out to help the cleanup effort near the intersection of Wilson Ave. and Whipple St. in Albany Park on Saturday. In addition to participating in the event, Andrade leads and supports numerous other initiatives focused on keeping the neighborhoods he represents clean through his full-time constituent service office, including successfully advocating for pigeon abatement funding on the Irving Park Blue Line.

“I’ve been fighting to clean up our community and keep our space well-maintained, but it takes more than just one person to do that,” said Andrade. “These community-led efforts are amazing at bringing people together to make a difference.”

CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law supported by state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, homeowners who qualify for the senior homestead property tax exemption will no longer need to annually reapply to keep the exemption.

“Seniors that qualify for the exemption shouldn’t have to go through the process to requalify every year,” said Andrade. “Part of fixing the property tax system is cutting through red tape that makes life more difficult for middle-class homeowners. This is an easy way to make it easier for seniors to get real relief.”

Andrade sponsored House Bill 833, which creates a five-year pilot program that will allow homeowners to continue receiving the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption without having to reapply every year. Andrade hopes the pilot program will prove to be successful.

“Cook County is currently the only county that requires seniors to file an application every year, and that is an unnecessary burden,” said Andrade. “Now that this bill is law, the senior homestead exemption is not going to require yearly maintenance for people living in Chicago.”