< Back At Vigil For 16-Year-Old Cyclist Josh Anleu, Family Urges Drivers To ‘Do Better’ Block Club Chicago Ariel Parrella-Aureli Nov 6, 2023 https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/06/at-vigil-for-16-year-old-cyclist-family-urges-drivers-to-be-better/ Previous Next

In the News 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 Mayor Johnson defends choice to lead city's Animal Care and Control, despite conditions at city-run shelter Chicago Sun-Times Fran Spielman Feb 25, 2026 https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/02/25/mayor-brandon-johnson-animal-care-and-control-susan-cappello Previous Next

< Back Alders advance mayor's pick to run Chicago's animal shelter WBBM Newsradio Geoff Buchholz Mar 10, 2026 https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/alders-advance-mayors-pick-to-run-chicagos-animal-shelter Previous Next

< Back Northwest Siders confront ICE agents firing tear gas; Halloween parade canceled Chicago Sun-Times Violet Miller Oct 26, 2025 https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/10/26/northwest-side-ice-arrests-tear-gas Previous Next

< Back Storytime con Yuyo Podcast - Ruth Cruz Concejala De Distrito 30! Ep. 29 (Youtube) Storytimeconyuyo (YouTube) - Sep 2, 2025 https://youtu.be/gLgwUWH72Ec?si=PnyRbw2dU-JvvCYO Previous Next

< Back 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) Alderperson Andre Vvasquez, 40th Ward Chicago - Feb 19, 2025 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1738400030432495 Previous Next

< Back Meeting held about proposed migrant shelter on Northwest Side (WGN) WGN TV - Dec 18, 2023 https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/meeting-held-about-proposed-migrant-shelter-on-northwest-side/ Previous Next

< Back City Animal Shelter Chief’s Appointment Clears Key Committee Despite Pushback Block Club Chicago Quinn Myers Mar 10, 2026 https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/10/city-animal-shelter-chiefs-appointment-clears-key-committee-despite-pushback/ Previous Next

< Back Mayor’s Pick To Run Animal Care And Control Gets Council Approval After Compromise Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Mar 18, 2026 https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/18/mayors-pick-to-run-animal-care-and-control-gets-council-approval-after-compromise/ Previous Next

Community Zoning Committee The 30th Ward Community Zoning Committee (CZC) was created by Alderwoman Ruth Cruz in 2024 as part of her promise to implement a community-driven zoning process in the 30th Ward. The CZC is composed of nine community members from the 30th Ward. Members were selected from 57 applicants to represent perspectives from all corners of the ward. The CZC meets monthly to review zoning and development proposals and submits its insights to Alderwoman Cruz and her staff, who work directly with property owners, business and civic leaders, developers, and City agencies to make informed zoning decisions for the ward. Current CZC members: Benjamin van Loon, Avondale William Susinka, Old Irving Park Pamela Vanderlinde, Villa District Joaquin Silva, Belmont Cragin JC Kibbey, Independence Park/Irving Park JuanPablo Prieto, Irving Park The CZC is staffed by Jason Liechty, Director of Policy and Zoning for Alderwoman Cruz. To learn more about the CZC, contact Jason.Liechty@cityofchicago.org . CZC Mission Our mission as the CZC is to provide community-driven analysis for the Alderwoman’s consideration in making informed zoning and development decisions. CZC Vision Our vision as the CZC is to elevate the 30th Ward as a top destination for families, business owners, artists, professionals, and visitors. CZC Values The mission and vision of the CZC are founded on five core values: Transparency The CZC values engaged, transparent, and collaborative decision-making around zoning and development matters for the ward Smart Development The CZC embraces strategic, informed, and innovative development for the ward. Accessibility The CZC prioritizes multiple aspects of accessibility, including affordability, walkability, transit access, and a built environment that meets the needs of all residents, visitors and those with disabilities. Environmental Sustainability The CZC recognizes that human health, economic growth, and a sustainable environment are interconnected. The challenges of climate change demand smart solutions for energy, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems in the ward’s environment. Strong Community The CZC prizes the diversity, cultural strength, and historic beauty of the 30th Ward. Our businesses, arts, schools, cultural institutions, and social spaces are ward’s identity and cultural fabric. We welcome development that builds upon these strengths and defines the ward as a destination of choice for residents and visitors alike, existing safely and in mutual respect.

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)