Animal Care This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Alderwoman Cruz and Alderman Villegas secured a commitment from the Mayor's Office to form a working group to improve conditions at the City's animal shelter. Mayor’s Pick To Run Animal Care And Control Gets Council Approval After Compromise (3/18/2026) Nominee to lead Chicago animal control draws critics and defenders ahead of confirmation vote (3/10/2026) City Animal Shelter Chief’s Appointment Clears Key Committee Despite Pushback (3/10/2026) Alders advance mayor's pick to run Chicago's animal shelter (3/10/2026) Animal Control Boss Defends Record As Volunteers, Alders Sound Alarm Over Euthanasias, Conditions (3/5/2026) Mayor names new head of Animal Care and Control amid shelter backlash: 'Very concerning' (2/26/2026) Mayor stands by CACC director appointment amid concerns over shelter conditions (2/26/2026) Mayor Johnson defends choice to lead city's Animal Care and Control, despite conditions at city-run shelter (2/26/2026) Mayor Defends City Animal Shelter Leader Amid Pushback From Alderpeople, Advocates (2/26/2026) City Animal Shelter Needs New Chief Amid ‘Concerning’ Conditions, Alderpeople And Volunteers Say (2/20/2026)

Participatory Budgeting View the winning locations of the 30th Ward 2025-26 Participatory Budget Vote! 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: Community Involvement: 30th Ward residents propose and vote on projects, ensuring that funding addresses local priorities. Transparency: PB allows greater transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent. 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.

Alderwoman Ruth Cruz Ruth Cruz has served as Alderwoman of the 30th Ward since May 2023, proudly representing portions of the Belmont Cragin, Portage Park, Dunning, Avondale, and Irving Park communities. Born in Mexico and raised on the northwest side of Chicago from the age of seven, she is deeply rooted in the city that welcomed her. She is also a proud mother, a role that continues to shape her commitment to building safer, stronger communities for the next generation. A proud graduate of Carl Schurz High School, she later attended Roosevelt University, earning both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management. Prior to her election, Alderwoman Cruz served as a director of college admissions at Robert Morris University and Roosevelt University, where she focused on coaching and developing talent, helping individuals grow into leadership roles and achieve their professional goals. She was also actively engaged in public service through her volunteer work with the 30th Ward Office, the County Restorative Justice Court in Avondale, and the Local School Council at Foreman College and Career Academy. Known for her disciplined, goal-driven leadership and ability to perform effectively under pressure, Alderwoman Cruz approaches her work with focus and determination. Her work on the City Council is guided by a steadfast commitment to working families, public safety, economic development, youth programs, affordable housing, and good government. She strives to ensure that city services are responsive and effective for all residents, foster a sense of security and care throughout the community, and lead with a fearless dedication to progress. Most recently, Alderwoman Cruz successfully passed a resolution through the City Council calling on Congress to adopt Medicare for All and is leading efforts to improve conditions at the Department of Animal Care and Control. In addition, Alderwoman Cruz is a strong advocate for street safety and infrastructure improvements that protect all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, reflecting her broader commitment to safer streets and accessible transportation. She has also brought grassroots democracy to the 30th Ward, creating a community-driven zoning and development review process as well as an annual participatory budget that ensures ward residents decide how to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for infrastructure and public space projects every year. Alderwoman Cruz lives in Belmont Cragin with her husband, two children, and one very spoiled dog. City Council Committee Assignments Traffic and Pedestrian Safety (Vice Chair) Economic, Capital and Technology Development Environmental Protection and Energy Health and Human Relations Immigrant and Refugee Rights Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards Affiliations Latino Caucus (Vice Chair) Progressive Caucus Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Leadership Academy

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - basement and attic apartments, granny flats, and coach houses - are permitted throughout Chicago beginning April 1. Visit the City's dedicated ADU webpage for the most up-to-date information about ADU policies and procedures. ADUs will be permitted in all residential multifamily zones and most business and commercial zoning districts in the City. In the 30th Ward, single-family districts will allow ADUs, except in precincts 1, 4, 9, and 21. ADUs in single-family districts in the ward will be subject to the following restrictions: Properties must be owner-occupied at the time of application. Only a certain number of ADUs will be permitted per block face (i.e., the street side of properties) per year: 1 permit in RS-1 districts, 2 permits in RS-2 districts, and 3 permits in RS-3 districts. In addition, coach houses in any zoning district will have to be constructed or renovated by contractors who participate in an apprenticeship program registered with the US Department of Labor.

Zoning Intake Forms This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Part 1 Applicants for zoning changes (e.g., zoning map amendments, major zoning variations or special uses, etc.) should complete Part 1 as their first step in communicating with the 30th Ward. We will then review the information provided and reach out to schedule a meeting about your project with Alderwoman Cruz and/or ward staff. Part 2 Part 2 of the Zoning Intake Form should be completed after meeting with Alderwoman Cruz and staff, but prior to the Community Zoning Committee meeting at which the project will be presented.

News and Events Events In the News Statements by Alderwoman Cruz

Zoning, Planning, & Development 30th Ward Zoning Process The 30th Ward follows a zoning and development approval process that puts community input at its center. Intake Forms Are you a developer, zoning attorney, or property owner seeking a zoning change or proposing a development in the 30th Ward? Start here by completing our Zoning Intake Form. Community Zoning Committee Learn more about the group that helps Alderwoman Cruz review development proposals in the 30th Ward. Accessory Dwelling Units Beginning April 1, accessory dwelling units are legal throughout the city, including the 30th Ward - with some conditions. Learn more here. Plans Find information about current and past community planning efforts covering the 30th Ward and nearby areas. Resources

Parks Chopin Park 3420 N Long Ave Park-View Playlot Park 3823 W School St Riis Park 4100 W Fullerton Ave Kilbourn Park 3501 N Kilbourn Ave Parsons (Lucy) Park 4712 W Belmont Ave

30th Ward Zoning Process The 30th Ward Office has established the following process for reviewing projects requesting zoning map amendments and similar changes: Applicant submits Zoning Intake Form - Part 1. Meeting with Alderwoman and/or staff. Applicants submit Zoning Intake Form - Part 2. Project is reviewed by the 30th Ward Community Zoning Committee (CZC) meeting. CZC issues recommendation to Alderwoman. If project is judged to be significant or controversial enough, public meeting will be scheduled. If not, then neighborhood will be flyered and feedback requested from residents. Feedback indicating controversy will trigger a public meeting (#5). Alderwoman makes decision on project.

30th Ward Newsletter Archive April 3, 2026 March 25, 2026 - Property Tax Appeals March 20, 2026 March 6, 2026 February 20, 2026 February 6, 2026 January 23, 2026 January 5, 2026 December 21, 2025 December 12, 2025 November 28, 2025 November 14, 2025 October 28, 2025 October 21, 2025 October 3, 2025 September 20, 2025 September 5, 2025 August 22, 2025 August 15, 2025 August 8, 2025 July 26, 2025 July 15, 2025 June 27, 2025 June 13, 2025 May 30, 2025 May 13, 2025 May 3, 2025 April 7, 2025 March 7, 2025 February 7, 2025 January 13, 2025 December 16, 2024 December 10, 2024 Sign up for our newsletter - click here!

2026 CAPS Meeting Schedule Look up your beat meeting location here .