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Business Tools Discover a variety of tools, workshops, and opportunities offered by the City of Chicago and the 30th Ward. Stay tuned for upcoming updates and ways to get involved! The Avondale Neighborhood Association invites community members, residents, workers, and visitors to nominate the businesses and individuals who deserve recognition for their contributions to the Avondale community. Complete this form to help nomitate them. 🎉🥳EXCITING NEWS for Belmont Cragin! The Belmont/Central Corridor has been selected for the Neighborhood Retail Activation Program through the Mayor’s Office, BACP, and our office. This initiative will help revitalize our commercial corridor and support 2023 and 2024 storm-impacted areas in Austin, Belmont Cragin, and West Garfield Park. For more information, visit: Chicago.gov/BACPRetail The Portage Park Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a "Get To Know Your New SSA 2 Sole Service Provider" Meet and Greet at El Capitan Coffee & Snacks on Tuesday, March 24th, from 4pm - 6pm for the businesses located within SSA. The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) accepts grant applications each month in various TIF districts across Chicago. Eligible businesses must submit their application during the month-long application window for their TIF district to qualify for funding. To find out if and when SBIF grants are available for your business, search the address on the eligibility page . Workforce Solutions Program The City of Chicago provides financial assistance for job training through the Workforce Solutions program managed by the Department of Planning and Development. The program subsidizes training for incumbent workers and new hires for qualified Chicago businesses. Workforce Solutions reimbursement grants are funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and proceeds from the 2025 Housing and Economic Development Bond. Reimbursement grants up to $250,000 may fund up to 100% of eligible expenses for businesses seeking to train current employees and/or new hires. Grants do not have to be repaid. The program is administered by Employment and Employer Services on behalf of the City of Chicago. BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free program for anyone interested in starting or growing a business in Chicago to gain knowledge across various essential business topics. Since the program launched, more than 1,000 Chicago entrepreneurs and business owners have successfully completed the program. All Program graduates, who meet criteria and are based in Chicagoland, are eligible to apply for: the Entrepreneur Loan Program with BACP’s partner, CIBC Bank USA . college credit with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). Read more . Check out these resources, created in collaboration with Northwest Side Community Development Corporation. From the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events: Calling all local growers and artisans! 🌿 Be a part of the 2026 Chicago Farmers Markets season — running May through October across the city. We’re looking for passionate producers and creators of handmade and natural goods to join our community of vendors. Showcase your craft, connect with your neighbors, and grow your business! Apply now to secure your spot — the deadline is Friday, January 30! 👉chicagofarmersmarkets.us We’re excited to share that our office is co-hosting the Northwest Side Job Fair on Friday, December 5th, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Kilbourn Park - 3501 N Kilbourn Ave. This event is hosted by State Rep. Will Guzzardi and co-hosted by Ald. Ruth Cruz, State Sen. Graciela Guzman, Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The Job Fair will feature employers from the government, nonprofit, and private sectors, along with community organizations offering interview coaching, résumé help, and CV reviews — all to help folks prepare for new opportunities. If you are an employer or organization interested in tabling, please register here . Thanks for helping us spread the word and connect our community with great opportunities! The Chicago Park District has opened its Notice of Application for new concession opportunities for 2026, which presents a substantial opportunity for small businesses. Key Dates: Application Due Date: Friday, November 21, 2025, at 3:00PM Recommendation of Award: February 2026 Concession operations ready for 2026 concession season: Memorial Day Weekend 2026 Small Business Improvement Grant 📣 Calling All Avondale Business Owners! Do you own or operate a commercial or industrial property in Avondale that needs repair or improvements? You may qualify for a Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant from the City of Chicago. What is it? The SBIF program offers grants to help cover costs for façade repairs, roof repair, doors/windows, signage, and other eligible improvements. It’s meant to help small businesses maintain and enhance their properties. Why apply? Offset repair or upgrade costs Improve curb appeal Increase the safety and value of your property Support long-term business growth How to get started: Visit the official SBIF page to review eligibility, guidelines, and application instructions. Gather required documents (property info, cost estimates, permits, etc.). Complete and submit the application by the deadline. More info & application link: City of Chicago — SBIF

Neigborhood Associations Szkoły publiczne w Chicago Szkoła podstawowa Belmont Cragin Szkoła średnia Chicago Academy Szkoła podstawowa Disney II Szkoła podstawowa im. Williama P. Gary'ego Szkoła podstawowa im. Federico Garcii Lorki Marvin C amras Inżynieria dziecięca Szkoła Mary Lyons Szkoła Franka W. Reilly'ego Szkoła Petera A. Reinberga Szkoła Johna Y Scammona Szkoła średnia Schurz Przygotowanie do college'u Steinmetz Szkoły publiczne w Chicago Szkoła podstawowa Belmont Cragin Szkoła średnia Chicago Academy Szkoła podstawowa Disney II Szkoła podstawowa im. Williama P. Gary'ego Szkoła podstawowa im. Federico Garcii Lorki Marvin C amras Inżynieria dziecięca Szkoła Mary Lyons Szkoła Franka W. Reilly'ego Szkoła Petera A. Reinberga Szkoła Johna Y Scammona Szkoła średnia Schurz Przygotowanie do college'u Steinmetz Szkoły publiczne w Chicago Szkoła podstawowa Belmont Cragin Szkoła średnia Chicago Academy Szkoła podstawowa Disney II Szkoła podstawowa im. Williama P. Gary'ego Szkoła podstawowa im. Federico Garcii Lorki Marvin C amras Inżynieria dziecięca Szkoła Mary Lyons Szkoła Franka W. Reilly'ego Szkoła Petera A. Reinberga Szkoła Johna Y Scammona Szkoła średnia Schurz Przygotowanie do college'u Steinmetz Szkoły publiczne w Chicago Szkoła podstawowa Belmont Cragin Szkoła średnia Chicago Academy Szkoła podstawowa Disney II Szkoła podstawowa im. Williama P. Gary'ego Szkoła podstawowa im. Federico Garcii Lorki Marvin C amras Inżynieria dziecięca Szkoła Mary Lyons Szkoła Franka W. Reilly'ego Szkoła Petera A. Reinberga Szkoła Johna Y Scammona Szkoła średnia Schurz Przygotowanie do college'u Steinmetz

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

Contact Us Phone: 773-628-7874 Email: Ward30@cityofchicago.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alderwomancruz Instagram: @alderwomancruz 5418-A West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60641 (click for Google Maps ) Office Hours: Monday 9-7 Tuesday 9-5 Wednesday 9-4 Thursday 9-5 Friday 9-3 Ward Night: Monday 5-7 (except holidays) Weekend Ward: 2nd Saturday of the month: 9-1

Resources to know Explore different resources available: Business Resources Know Your Rights Senior Resources Community Organizations Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Homeowners Going Green by the Youth Committee

Policy & Issues Participatory Budgeting City Council

Going Green! Tips from the Youth Committee There are multiple ways to adopt environmentally friendly practices in our every day life. Recycling by Sandra Beltran, Summer 2026 The City manages the recycling collection program for residential buildings with 1 to 4 units, and collection schedules vary depending on your home address. You can check it out here ! If your recycling bin is ever lost, stolen, or damaged, our office is here to help. Call or stop by the ward office to request a replacement, and the City will deliver a new bin directly to your home. A very important part of protecting our environment is knowing what can and cannot be placed in your recycling bin. Recycling the right items helps reduce contamination, improves the efficiency of the recycling process, and ensures more materials can be successfully reused. See examples below: ✅ Glass ✅ Plastic ✅ Paper ✅ Aluminum ✅ Cardboard ✅ Metals/tin ❌ Plastic bags (these can be recycled at grocery stores - look for bins near the entrance) ❌ Clothes ❌ Styrofoam ❌ Electronics ❌ Batteries See video for more examples! *Note: You should throw items individually because plastic bags CANNOT be placed in the recycling bin. Food Scrap Drop-Off by Sandra Beltran, Summer 2026 Green bins are for food scraps and other compostable materials. Composting keeps food waste out of landfills, where it would otherwise produce harmful greenhouse gases like methane. Instead, those food scraps are transformed into nutrient-rich compost that helps enrich soil, supports healthy plant growth, and contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Find a location here . Holiday Tree Recycling by Sandra Beltran, Summer 2026 Each year after the holidays, Alderwoman Ruth Cruz offers a Holiday Tree Pickup Service to help residents dispose of their natural Christmas trees with ease. Natural Christmas trees can be difficult to dispose of because they are too large for regular recycling collection and are not accepted in curbside compost bins. Through the City of Chicago's annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program, collected trees are chipped into mulch that is made available to residents free of charge while supplies last. As part of this effort, our office coordinates holiday tree pickups for residents who may not be able to transport their trees to a designated drop-off location. Before setting out your tree for pickup or dropping it off at a recycling site, please remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, tree stands, plastic bags, and other decorations. For information about Holiday Tree Recycling locations, program dates, and pickup details, visit the City's Holiday Tree Recycling webpage or contact the 30th Ward Office for assistance. Don’t Let Your Environment Go Down the Drain! by Kevin Rzepka, Summer 2026 Little did you know, keeping some smaller household plumbing items up to date can be vitally important for your environment too! And no, it doesn’t necessarily mean spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the latest appliances, but rather little things such as replacing old showerheads and leaky faucets, which can drastically decrease the amount of water you use. In fact, according to the World Wildlife Fund and the US EPA, older showerheads can use 2.5 gallons per minute or more while newer, more efficient models use 2 gallons per minute or fewer. Although one might think that those numbers aren’t much far apart, it is estimated that by replacing your showerhead, the average family can save 2,700 gallons of water every year, the amount of electricity needed to power a home for 11 days, and more than $75 in energy and water costs each year! The same goes for your faucet, where even if one leaks at a rate of one drop per second, it can waste more than an estimated 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s why it’s so important to fix your leaky faucet even if it just drips! More specifically, when using a faucet for water to brush your teeth, turn the tap off when brushing, as you can save as much as 3,000 gallons of water per year. That way, you don’t just save on your water bill, but also save the environment. But what about those expensive appliances I mentioned earlier, like TVs, microwaves, and stereos – how can I help protect the environment without being able to spend money on newer, more efficient models? Oftentimes when we use those appliances, which are all idle electronics, they use energy even when switched off to keep display clocks lit and remote controls working. As a result, even when you think they’re turned off or losing very little electricity, they are still running your electricity bill and impacting the environment! So, what could you do? Well you could switch off power strips, unplug electrical devices when unused, or if possible, go into settings and turn the screensaver/ambient feature off. That way, the power saving feature could kick in and turn off the TV (or other idle electronics) after a period of inactivity. Sometimes, it’s the little things that can make a huge difference, especially when everyone works together. Sustainable Transportation and Reducing Waste by Pavle Bumbic, Summer 2026 Use transportation sustainably. Transportation is a significant contributor to pollution. One way we can help reduce pollution is by using cars more reasonably and increasing our use of greener alternatives, such as biking, walking, and public transportation. Reduce waste . One of the best ways to protect the environment is to reduce our consumption of products such as single-use plastic bottles. Instead, we can switch to reusable stainless-steel bottles. This can help reduce plastic waste and limit our exposure to microplastics, which can negatively affect our health. Our planet is increasingly polluted, and we all have a responsibility to take action to protect it. By making small, sustainable changes in our daily lives, we can help create a cleaner and healthier environment for ourselves and future generations. Donate, Don’t Throw Away by Sandra Beltran , Summer 2026 We encourage everyone to donate unwanted clothing instead of throwing it away. Donating clothes helps reduce waste and gives items a second life with someone who may need or enjoy them. Thrift stores are a great option for giving your gently used clothing a new home. Consider donating to: Salvation Army Savers Thrift Unique Thrift Village Discount Outlet These stores accept clothing donations and place items on their shelves for others to purchase and reuse. Donation boxes are also available in many public locations, making it easy to drop off unwanted clothing and other items. Finally, Give N Receive, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that the 30th Ward has proudly collaborated with on multiple community events and clothing drives. Through these partnerships, clothing and other essential items are provided to residents and community members who need them. Supporting organizations like Give N Receive, Inc., is another great way to keep clothing out of landfills while helping neighbors in need. Before throwing something away, consider one of these options! Organize a Community Clean-Up by 30th Ward Staff , Summer 2026 Want to help make your neighborhood cleaner and greener? Organize a community clean-up with your neighbors, friends, or local organizations! Gathering together to pick up litter, clean public spaces, and care for our neighborhood is a simple way to make a meaningful difference. Every clean-up, big or small, helps create a cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming community.

News and Events Events In the News Statements by Alderwoman Cruz

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

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.

Know Your Rights Everyone is protected by fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws regardless of status. Learn more here about your rights, how to assert them, and what steps to take if they are violated. Please feel free to share resources with individuals who you think can benefit. City of Chicago - Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee – Know Your Rights and Resources Illinois Immigration Information Hub for KYR information, legal support services, FAQs, and more What to do if ICE detains you (Spanish Video) Undocumented Student Services