Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting (PB) is an innovative democratic process that allows community members to directly decide how to allocate public funds. Alderwoman Cruz has decided to use PB for three reasons:
 

1. Community Involvement: 30th Ward residents propose and vote on projects, ensuring that funding addresses local priorities.

2. Transparency: PB allows greater transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent.

3. Empowerment: By providing neighbors a say in budget decisions, PB empowers communities and strengthens civic engagement.

Funding for participatory budgeting projects come from the ward's annual "menu" money, which is the $1.5 million provided annually in the City budget to each ward, whose alderperson can decide how to spend this money on infrastructure projects.

Funds can only be used for capital projects, not operating costs. Examples include street repaving, lighting, pedestrian safety projects, and sidewalk repairs.