Southwest Side Leaders Announce Flooding Action Plan, Demand Real Infrastructure Solutions

CHICAGO — Leaders from the Southwest Side gathered today in Gage Park to announce an immediate response plan for residents affected by severe flooding and to demand long-term investments in infrastructure to protect vulnerable neighborhoods.

Hosted by Ald. Jeylú Gutiérrez, the press conference brought together a united coalition of elected officials: Rep. Aaron Ortiz, Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr., Sen. Javier Cervantes, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García.

“Our families shouldn’t be left vulnerable year after year because of decades of disinvestment,” said Ald. Gutiérrez. “That’s why we are pushing for overdue infrastructure investments — for real solutions. We’ll keep fighting alongside our neighbors until they get the protection and support they deserve.”

The coalition outlined a coordinated action plan that includes:

• Immediate relief: supporting residents with 311 filings, documenting damages, and escalating cases with city agencies.
   
• Short-term response: hosting neighborhood resource pop-ups, coordinating with city and county departments, and completing the Flooding Impact Survey to capture the scope of damage and residents’ needs.
  
  Long-term solutions: advocating for federal, state, and MWRD investments in stormwater capacity, green infrastructure, and neighborhood-level flood prevention projects.

Officials each highlighted a unique role in the response effort:

Rep. Aaron Ortiz
“Flooding isn’t just water in a basement — it’s paychecks lost, bills piling up, and families drained financially. Relief programs must match the scale of this crisis, and I’ll keep fighting in Springfield to make sure working-class neighborhoods like ours get the investment we’ve been denied for too long.”

Commissioner Alma Anaya
“It’s more than just bad weather — it’s a public health emergency. Mold, contamination, unsafe homes — these are threats to our kids, our seniors, our families. Cook County will continue to coordinate services so relief and resources reach the neighborhoods that need them most. This is about environmental justice and equity.”

Sen. Javier Cervantes
“Too many immigrant families and renters don’t know where to turn, or fear speaking up when their homes are damaged. We need to guarantee protections for both renters and homeowners, so no family is left behind. Flooding is a safety issue, a health issue, and we need action at every level of government.”

Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr.
“Our kids shouldn’t grow up thinking floods are normal. As families send their children back to school, they deserve safe homes and safe streets. Springfield must dedicate funding for flood protections in working-class Latino neighborhoods — because fairness means our communities get the same level of protection as anyone else.”

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García pledged federal advocacy. 

“Southwest Side families are living through a disaster — and Washington must treat it like one. I’ve helped secure hundreds of millions of federal dollars for infrastructure in Chicago, Cook County, and Cicero, but the truth is, we need much more. At the same time, Republicans in Congress are pushing reckless cuts to FEMA and the National Weather Service — the very agencies that help us prepare for and recover from floods. Our communities can’t afford cuts; they need more protection and more resources to stay safe. As the consequences of climate change continue to worsen, it’s our responsibility to mitigate the impact.

The event also featured residents sharing personal stories of flooding damage, underscoring the urgency of immediate relief and long-term investment.

For residents in need of assistance, officials urged:

• Report damages through 311 (online, app, or phone).
• Take photos of damages and where water entered.
• Save receipts for any repair or cleanup expenses.
• Contact local elected offices for help with casework or escalation.

Residents can complete the Flooding Impact Survey by Aug 22 here.

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