Ruth Cruz 30th Ward Alderwoman Stay connected! Click here to subscribe to the 30th Ward newsletter. CLICK HERE for water and sewer project updates Welcome! Welcome to the website of 30th Ward Alderwoman Ruth Cruz. Find our office information here, learn about city services here, and subscribe here for newsletter updates. (And explore our website further via the menu at the top or the links below.) Not sure if you live in the 30th Ward? Check your address here . Latest News and Information (updated 5/29) Addison closure Due to water and sewer work, W Addison Street remains closed to traffic between N Cicero Ave and N Kenton Ave. Please follow posted detours and directional signs. SNAP / LINK / EBT food assistance benefit rules are changing. Don't lose your benefits - see if you still qualify. Eligibility screening tool SaveOurSNAP.org (general information) Ward night changes in June and July Explore our site About Us Policy & Issues Contact Us City Services Resources Zoning, Planning & Development News & Events Follow us on social media!

Water and Sewer Project Updates Grace Street Water Main Replacement Kilpatrick Avenue Sewer Project Sewer System Maintenance St. Louis Avenue Water and Sewer Project Grace Street Water Main Replacement Updated May 26, 2026 Pipe instillation along Grace Street is complete. The majority of the mainline pipe has been installed along both Grace and Lawndale Ave. The contractor will be finalizing the main installation this week on Lawndale Ave before proceeding to testing the new water main. No Water main shut downs are planned at this time. Parking Restrictions “No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of the street during construction hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Parking will be allowed outside of work hours and on weekends. Traffic and Lane Closures Local traffic may be limited during work hours due to staging of trucking and the movements of other machinery needed to perform the work. One lane will always remain accessible for emergency vehicles. Water Shutdowns There is no water shutdown planned for this week. Water Service Transfers / Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Lead service line replacements will begin once the water main installation is complete. Final Connections and Restoration After all buildings are connected to the new water main, final connections will be made to fully remove the old water main from service. Restoration will follow shortly after. Kilpatrick Avenue Sewer Project Updated June 5, 2026 The scope of work for this project in its entirety is as follows: N Kilpatrick Av from W Roscoe St to W Addison St N Kilpatrick Av from W Roscoe St to W School St W School St from N Kilpatrick Av to N Keating Av N Kolmar Av from W Roscoe St to W Cornelia Av W Cornelia Av from N Kolmar Av to N Kenton Av N Kilpatrick Av from W Addison St to W Waveland Av W Waveland Av from N Kilpatrick Av to 387’ East W Patterson Av from N Kilpatrick Av to 392’ East W Warwick Av from N Kilpatrick Av to 258’ East W Grace St from N Kilpatrick Av to 267’ West Traffic Control The intersection of N Kolmar Ave and W Cornelia Ave will be closed while crew S06 completes work in the intersection. This work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 9. During working hours N Kolmar will remain closed between W Cornelia and W Roscoe. Scheduled: 6/8/26 – 6/12/26: Crew S03 DWM crew will continue excavation and installation of 42” diameter reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) moving north on N Kilpatrick Ave. from Addison/Kilpatrick intersection going north on Kilpatrick Ave Traffic control: Westbound Addison will be opened to traffic on Tuesday, June 9. Crew S06 The DWM In-House sewer crew will continue installing 24” diameter RCP at the N Kolmar Ave going north from W Roscoe St. Crew will begin working in the intersection of W Cornelia and N Roscoe on Tuesday, June 9. Upon completion of work in the intersection, crew will return to N Kolmar Ave to complete piping of catch basins on the west side of N Kolmar. Completed 5/29/26 – 6/5/26: Crew S03 continued working on the Addison/Kilpatrick Ave intersection and completed the following scope of work: DWM reconnected the 12” ductile iron pipe (DIP) water main at the intersection. Continued installation of 42” diameter RCP moving north on N Kilpatrick Ave. Poured flowable fill around the 36” diameter water main. Removed the supports and poured concrete base course at the Addison and Kilpatrick Ave intersection, so the road can be reopened to traffic. Crew S06 DWM In-House Sewer Crew installed 24” diameter RCP on N Kolmar Av from W Roscoe St moving north. Crew installed 2 x 48” catch basins along the curbline on the east side on N Kolmar and piped them to the main sewer Mainline Sewer Main Pipe Progress to date: 1187 linear feet of 5179 linear feet. Sewer System Maintenance Updated May 5, 2026 The Department of Water Management has issued work orders to rehabilitate the following existing sewer sections within the 30th Ward: N Avondale Ave from 238' Southeast of N Hamlin Ave to W Addison St N Kildare Ave from W Cornelia Ave to W Henderson St N Mcvicker Ave from W Wellington Ave to 330' North of W George St N Mcvicker Ave from W George St to W Wrightwood Ave N Kostner Ave from Alley South of W Roscoe St to 3 Sections (380') N of W School St W Cornelia Ave from N Karlov Ave to Alley (160') West of N Pulaski Rd The rehabilitation work includes cleaning the sewers and the installation of CIPP (cure-in-place pipe). The installation of CIPP consists of lining the existing sewers and generally does not require excavation except when repairs are required prior to lining of the sewer main, catch basin lateral connections, catch basin structures or manhole structures. Typical work includes the following: Main sewer cleaning and televising Catch basin (drainage structures on the curbside) cleaning, televising, and lining of the pipe connections to the main sewer Catch basin and sewer manhole structures lining Main sewer lining immediately followed by the reinstatement of house drains services and catch basin pipe connections. The lined sewer will be televised to ensure that the work was done properly. The work is scheduled to begin TBD and is scheduled to be completed by TBD. Please note, the work is performed in staggered stages, therefore crews will not be on site every day for the extended period described. As contractors begin lining the main sewers, residents will be provided with a letter/flyer with notification of the work for each project location. No parking signs will be posted in the immediate area a workday prior to the start of any scheduled work. It will be necessary to close some lanes, but the streets will remain open to traffic. St. Louis Avenue Water and Sewer Project (only a small portion is within the 30th Ward) Updated June 5, 2026 The scope of work for the sewer project in its entirety is as follows: N Hamlin Ave from W Byron St to 271' South N St. Louis Ave from W Grace St to W Waveland Ave W Waveland Ave from N St. Louis Ave to N Central Park Ave W Waveland Ave from N St. Louis Ave to N Kimball Ave N Central Park Ave from W Waveland Ave to 263' North N Drake Ave from W Waveland Ave to 253' North N Christiana Ave from W Elston Ave to 54' South The scope of work for the water main project in its entirety is as follows: N. St. Louis Ave from N. Elston Ave to W. Waveland Ave Road Closures / Traffic Control: During working hours, no residential parking/through traffic will be allowed on N. St. Louis Ave between N. Elston Ave and W. Waveland Ave (No Parking signs have been posted). Sewer Schedule - 6/8/26 – 6/12/26: DWM to continue installation of new 36” reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) sewer main on N. St. Louis Ave between W. Grace St and W. Waveland Ave. DWM to install a new manhole structure between W. Grace St and W. Waveland Ave on N. St. Louis Ave. Water Schedule - 6/8/26 – 6/12/26: DWM to continue installation of new 8” water main on N. St. Louis Ave between W. Grace St and W. Waveland Ave. No scheduled water main shutdowns are anticipated this week, except for temporary water service outages affecting homes on the east side. Residents will be notified prior to any temporary service interruption. Completed - 6/1/26 – 6/5/26: DWM continued coordinated installation of new 8” water main and 36” RCP sewer main on N. St. Louis Ave between W. Grace St and W. Waveland Ave. Mainline Sewer Main Pipe Progress TO DATE: 228 linear feet (LF) of 3003 LF = 7.6 % Mainline Water Main Pipe Progress TO DATE: 498 LF of 1008 LF = 49.4%

< Back Woman Killed At Busy NW Side Intersection Where Planned Traffic Light Was Never Installed Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Jun 3, 2026 https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/03/woman-killed-at-busy-nw-side-intersection-where-planned-traffic-light-was-never-installed/ Previous Next

In the News Jun 3, 2026 Woman Killed At Busy NW Side Intersection Where Planned Traffic Light Was Never Installed https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/03/woman-killed-at-busy-nw-side-intersection-where-planned-traffic-light-was-never-installed/ Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Read More May 18, 2026 Will Avondale Finally Get A Public Library? Neighbors Launch Petition Seeking Support https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/18/will-avondale-finally-get-a-public-library-neighbors-launch-petition-seeking-support/ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli Read More May 11, 2026 Committee approves $55M tax break for United Center's 1901 Project as some voice concerns https://abc7chicago.com/post/united-center-chicago-news-city-council-committee-approves-55m-tax-break-1901-project-voice-concerns/19082713/ ABC 7 Chicago Sarah Schulte Read More Mar 18, 2026 Chicago City Council Calls On Congress to Pass Medicare for All https://www.commondreams.org/news/medicare-for-all-bill Common Dreams Jessica Corbett Read More Mar 18, 2026 City Council adopts Alderwoman Cruz's Medicare for All Resolution (scroll to the end) https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/city-council-subminimum-wage-tipped-workers-freeze/ CBS 2 Chicago Todd Feurer, Marissa Perlman, Lauren Victory Read More Mar 18, 2026 Mayor’s Pick To Run Animal Care And Control Gets Council Approval After Compromise https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/18/mayors-pick-to-run-animal-care-and-control-gets-council-approval-after-compromise/ Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Read More Mar 11, 2026 Animal Control director appointment approved by health and human relations committee despite some organizations’ concerns https://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-health-human-relations-committee-recap-march-2026-animal-control-director-susan-cappello-appointment-approved-despite-group-organization-concerns-alderwoman-ruth-cruz The Daily Line Michael McDevitt Read More Mar 10, 2026 City Animal Shelter Chief’s Appointment Clears Key Committee Despite Pushback https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/10/city-animal-shelter-chiefs-appointment-clears-key-committee-despite-pushback/ Block Club Chicago Quinn Myers Read More Mar 10, 2026 Alders advance mayor's pick to run Chicago's animal shelter https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/alders-advance-mayors-pick-to-run-chicagos-animal-shelter WBBM Newsradio Geoff Buchholz Read More Mar 10, 2026 Nominee to lead Chicago animal control draws critics and defenders ahead of confirmation vote https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/10/chicago-animal-control-susan-cappello/?share=6n1actaipwswtaw6bgoa Chicago Tribune Jerry Wu Read More Mar 6, 2026 “Bikeway Hearing Parking Lot”: Talking with folks from the massive crowd outside and inside the Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network meeting https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/06/bikeway-hearing-parking-lot-talking-with-folks-from-the-massive-crowd-outside-and-inside-the-portage-park-neighborhood-bike-network-meeting Streetsblog Chicago John Greenfield Read More Mar 6, 2026 “Bikeway Hearing Parking Lot”: Talking with folks from the massive crowd outside and inside the Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network meeting https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/06/bikeway-hearing-parking-lot-talking-with-folks-from-the-massive-crowd-outside-and-inside-the-portage-park-neighborhood-bike-network-meeting Streetsblog Chicago John Greenfield Read More Mar 5, 2026 Animal Control Boss Defends Record As Volunteers, Alders Sound Alarm Over Euthanasias, Conditions https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/05/animal-control-boss-defends-record-as-volunteers-alders-sound-alarm-over-euthanasias-conditions/ Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Read More Feb 26, 2026 Mayor Defends City Animal Shelter Leader Amid Pushback From Alderpeople, Advocates https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/26/mayor-defends-city-animal-shelter-leader-amid-pushback-from-alderpeople-advocates/ Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Read More Feb 26, 2026 VIDEO: Mayor names new head of Animal Care and Control amid shelter backlash: 'Very concerning' https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-1jdag69wxu42s5ky Fox 32 Chicago Read More Feb 25, 2026 Mayor Johnson defends choice to lead city's Animal Care and Control, despite conditions at city-run shelter https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/02/25/mayor-brandon-johnson-animal-care-and-control-susan-cappello Chicago Sun-Times Fran Spielman Read More Feb 20, 2026 City Animal Shelter Needs New Chief Amid ‘Concerning’ Conditions, Alderpeople And Volunteers Say https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/20/city-animal-shelter-needs-new-chief-amid-concerning-conditions-alderpeople-and-volunteers-say/ Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Read More Dec 19, 2025 Aldermen pass 2026 spending plan including debt sale over opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/19/aldermen-pass-2026-spending-plan-including-debt-sale-over-mayor-brandon-johnsons-opposition/ Chicago Tribune Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan Read More Dec 17, 2025 Mayor Brandon Johnson enters final budget stretch with diminishing options https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/17/mayor-brandon-johnson-final-budget-stretch-diminishing-options/ Chicago Tribune Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan Read More Dec 17, 2025 Where Does Your Alderperson Stand On ICE? We Checked All 50 https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/17/where-does-your-alderperson-stand-on-ice-we-checked-all-50/ Block Club Chicago Grace Del Vecchio, Jerrel Floyd and Sophia Kalakailo, City Bureau Read More Dec 15, 2025 Mayor Brandon Johnson’s organizer roots at fore as he courts progressives in budget fight https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/mayor-brandon-johnson-organizer-roots-progressives-budget-fight/ Chicago Tribune Jake Sheridan and Alice Yin Read More Nov 11, 2025 Stop Sign Installed At Dangerous Northwest Side Intersection After Years Of Complaints https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/11/stop-sign-installed-at-dangerous-northwest-side-intersection-after-years-of-complaints/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Oct 31, 2025 Chicagoland neighbors pull together to grapple with Halloween ICE fears and SNAP cuts https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/halloween-chicago-immigration-snap-benefits/ Chicago Tribune Tess Kenny Read More Oct 31, 2025 Feds say immigration blitz continues amid Halloween festivities https://chicago.suntimes.com/public-safety/2025/10/31/feds-say-immigration-blitz-will-continue-amid-halloween-festivities Chicago Sun-Times Anna Savchenko | WBEZ and Mariah Rush Read More Oct 29, 2025 How Chicagoans Are Helping Kids Have A Safe — And ICE-Free — Halloween This Year https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/29/how-chicagoans-are-helping-kids-have-a-safe-and-ice-free-halloween-this-year/ Block Club Chicago Leen Yassine Read More Oct 26, 2025 Northwest Siders confront ICE agents firing tear gas; Halloween parade canceled https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/10/26/northwest-side-ice-arrests-tear-gas Chicago Sun-Times Violet Miller Read More Sep 24, 2025 Chicago cop gets street named in honor of Prairie School architect Dwight Perkins https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2025/09/24/chicago-cop-schurz-prairie-school-architect-dwight-perkins-street Chicago Sun-Times Lee Bey Read More Sep 2, 2025 Storytime con Yuyo Podcast - Ruth Cruz Concejala De Distrito 30! Ep. 29 (Youtube) https://youtu.be/gLgwUWH72Ec?si=PnyRbw2dU-JvvCYO Storytimeconyuyo (YouTube) - Read More Aug 29, 2025 Pedestrian Safety Upgrades Along Dangerous Portage Park Stretch An ‘Instant’ Success, Locals Say https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/29/pedestrian-safety-upgrades-along-dangerous-portage-park-stretch-an-instant-success-locals-say/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Aug 15, 2025 Grayland Metra Station Back Open After Years Of Construction https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/15/grayland-metra-station-back-open-after-years-of-construction/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Jul 29, 2025 New bike route links Belmont Cragin and Portage Park after death of 16-year-old cyclist https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2025/07/29/long-avenue-greenway-joshua-anleu Chicago Sun-Times David Struett Read More Apr 24, 2025 Aldermen spurning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new budget working group: ‘It points to a larger problem’ https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/24/aldermen-mayor-brandon-johnson-new-budget-working-group/?share=cayc0know02ecny4rgwj Chicago Tribune Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan Read More Feb 19, 2025 Today, Alderwoman Ruth Cruz, Alderwoman Jeylu Gutierrez and myself passed an ordinance to make our streets safer and give back more parking spaces to residents across the city! (40th Ward Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1738400030432495 Alderperson Andre Vvasquez, 40th Ward Chicago - Read More Feb 19, 2025 ‘Car Flippers’ Gobbling Up Street Parking Spots Could Face Crackdown https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/19/crackdown-could-be-coming-for-unlicensed-car-sellers-taking-over-public-parking-spots/ Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Read More Oct 30, 2024 Avondale’s Polish History Honored With Heritage Corridor On Milwaukee Avenue https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/30/avondales-polish-history-honored-with-heritage-corridor-on-milwaukee-avenue/ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli Read More Oct 25, 2024 Federal immigration agents deploy tear gas on Northwest Side streets as Chicagoans bellow, ‘Get out of our city!’ https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/chicago-tear-gas-irving-park/ Chicago Tribune Kate Perez, Alice Yin, Gregory Royal Pratt, and Stacey Wescott Read More Oct 7, 2024 Reinberg Elementary School Holds Peace Rally After Loss Of Two Young Students, Online Threat https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/07/portage-park-elementary-school-holds-peace-rally-after-loss-of-two-young-students-online-threat/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Sep 18, 2024 Anti-Gentrification Ordinance To Protect Northwest Side Housing OK’d By City Council https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/09/18/anti-gentrification-ordinance-to-protect-northwest-side-housing-okd-by-city-council/ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli and Melody Mercado Read More Aug 27, 2024 How Should The 30th Ward Spend $1 Million? Portage Park Neighbors Can Submit Ideas https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/08/27/how-should-the-30th-ward-spend-1-million-portage-park-neighbors-can-submit-ideas/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Aug 1, 2024 Creating Opportunities For Chicago’s Youth (WGN) https://wgntv.com/spotlight-chicago/creating-opportunities-for-chicagos-youth/ WGN TV - Read More Jul 17, 2024 Anti-Gentrification Ordinance Could Be Expanded To More Of The Northwest Side And Made Permanent https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/07/17/anti-gentrification-ordinance-could-be-expanded-to-more-of-the-northwest-side-and-made-permanent/ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli Read More Jul 17, 2024 Northwest Side Alderwoman Calls For Hearing On Metra Construction Delays https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/07/17/northwest-side-alderwoman-calls-for-hearing-on-metra-construction-delays/ Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Read More Apr 5, 2024 300 migrants to be housed at shuttered Catholic church on Northwest Side https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/04/05/chicago-migrant-crisis-st-bartholomew-shelter-archdiocese-zakat-mayor-brandon-johnson Chicago Sun-Times Cindy Hernandez Read More Dec 18, 2023 Meeting held about proposed migrant shelter on Northwest Side (WGN) https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/meeting-held-about-proposed-migrant-shelter-on-northwest-side/ WGN TV - Read More Nov 21, 2023 Josh Anleu Ghost Bike Vigil | Chicago 30th Ward Alder Ruth Cruz (Youtube) https://youtu.be/epNcBqPaSUE?si=cOCN0tT9Ob8jQ9e0 Bike Lane Uprising (YouTube) - Read More Nov 6, 2023 At Vigil For 16-Year-Old Cyclist Josh Anleu, Family Urges Drivers To ‘Do Better’ https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/06/at-vigil-for-16-year-old-cyclist-family-urges-drivers-to-be-better/ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli Read More Jul 31, 2023 Festival Re:SET: organizadores y comunidad discuten la celebración del evento en Belmont Cragin (Univision Youtube) https://youtu.be/JMP-aNJqGNU?si=qnnwBR39DLSBhaA1 N+ Univision Chicago (YouTube) - Read More Jun 8, 2023 Re:SET Music Festival Is In 2 Weeks — And The Park District Won’t Say If The Shows Will Actually Happen https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/06/08/reset-music-festival-is-in-2-weeks-and-the-park-district-still-wont-say-if-the-shows-will-actually-happen/ Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Read More May 10, 2023 Ruth Cruz Grew Up As A Young Immigrant During The Bulls Dynasty. Now, She’s Leading The 30th Ward https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/10/ruth-cruz-grew-up-as-a-young-immigrant-during-the-bulls-dynasty-now-shes-leading-the-30th-ward/ Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Read More

< Back VIDEO: Mayor names new head of Animal Care and Control amid shelter backlash: 'Very concerning' Fox 32 Chicago Feb 26, 2026 https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-1jdag69wxu42s5ky Previous Next

30th Ward Newsletters

< Back Ruth Cruz Grew Up As A Young Immigrant During The Bulls Dynasty. Now, She’s Leading The 30th Ward Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez May 10, 2023 https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/10/ruth-cruz-grew-up-as-a-young-immigrant-during-the-bulls-dynasty-now-shes-leading-the-30th-ward/ Previous Next

< Back Chicago City Council Calls On Congress to Pass Medicare for All Common Dreams Jessica Corbett Mar 18, 2026 https://www.commondreams.org/news/medicare-for-all-bill Previous Next

Statements Dec 20, 2025 Statement on My Vote in Favor of the Council’s Alternative Budget Read More Oct 27, 2025 Special Newsletter - 2026 Budget Read More Oct 25, 2025 Public Statement on ICE Activity in Old Irving Park Read More

< Back How Chicagoans Are Helping Kids Have A Safe — And ICE-Free — Halloween This Year Block Club Chicago Leen Yassine Oct 29, 2025 https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/29/how-chicagoans-are-helping-kids-have-a-safe-and-ice-free-halloween-this-year/ Previous Next

30th Ward Newsletter Archive May 15, 2026 May 1, 2026 April 20, 2026 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!

< Back Statement on My Vote in Favor of the Council’s Alternative Budget Alderwoman Ruth Cruz Dec 20, 2025 After hearing from many constituents, countless conversations with stakeholders, and much personal deliberation, I came to the very hard decision to support the alternative budget proposal developed by members of the City Council. At the end of the day, most of Mayor Johnson’s proposal and the alternative proposal were the same, differing by less than 2 percent of the overall City budget. There is no grocery tax. There is no garbage fee increase. There is no significant property tax increase; rather, only a small increase to preserve jobs and books and materials budgets at the Chicago Public Library. Both proposals include increases in the personal property lease tax, much of which is paid by large corporations who use cloud computing services. Both proposals include increased collection of debts owed to the City by residents and businesses. (This fact has been lost in the heated rhetoric around debt collection in recent days.) Both proposals included a historic TIF surplus declaration, which will benefit schools and other agencies. And both the Mayor’s most recent proposal and the alternative budget include: Increases for gender-based violence prevention. Additional positions for the Department of Animal Care and Control. Funding requested by the Mayor for violence prevention and youth programs. No cuts to the library book budget. I am also happy that the alternative budget maintains youth mentoring programs that the Mayor’s original budget had eliminated. Like the Mayor’s proposal, the alternative is not perfect. I have serious concerns about several aspects, including additional debt collection measures and removal of a provision to require additional City Council approval for police overtime over $200 million. But we need to keep City government running, and we need to keep up with our obligations. Failing to do that in the past led to huge budgetary problems and extreme cuts to services that affected our communities. The old pattern of kicking cans down the road has continued to contribute to the difficulties we face today. We MUST do better now - for our kids and for the future. It has been clear for some time that Mayor Johnson’s budget did not have the support needed to pass through the Finance Committee, let alone the Council. From the start, I was clear about the things that concerned me about the Mayor’s proposal. As I considered my vote, I reached out to leaders of the alternative budget effort and strongly expressed my concerns about the debt collection and police overtime issues and encouraged them to find common ground with the Mayor on the head tax. Ultimately, given the choice between two imperfect budgets, I had to decide which was the better, more viable option. I made the decision to cast my vote for the alternative budget with our future in mind. From the beginning, the alternative budget included a full advance pension payment. This is a major plus for me, since it will help preserve the City’s credit rating, keep future borrowing costs down, and preserve more funding for programs and services in the future. A few days ago, at the very last minute, the Mayor did finally introduce a proposal to make the full advance pension payment - something I had been asking the Mayor’s office to do for weeks! - but without any path for successfully moving it forward. For the record, I had no problem with the head tax. I strongly believe that large corporations should pay their fair share, but the budget is about more than just one issue. The alternative budget I supported still includes a significant increase in the personal property lease tax, much of which falls upon large companies that use cloud computing services. Do not let this difficult vote in a difficult situation cloud or confuse the issue - I fully support progressive ideas for revenue and will continue to advocate for progressive tax policy. Moving forward, I will immediately begin working with my Council colleagues and the administration to make sure there are adequate guardrails to protect vulnerable families in debt collection efforts, keep a careful watch on police overtime, and make structural reforms that improve the City’s financial position. This was a tough call, and I know this decision will not be supported by some of you. I understand that. But the voters elected me to make difficult decisions when necessary, and this is one of those times. We had to pass a budget and keep our government running - and the alternative budget represented the only clear path forward. I stand by my vote. Previous Next