< 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 “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 Mar 6, 2026 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 Garrett Barnes, an engineer, lives on Waveland and Long avenues in Portage Park. "I am here to support bike lanes in our community, as a person who drives to and from work [in the suburbs] every day, but also will bike occasionally around the city," he said. "I have been surprised by how much biking has improved my life and I think it's a fun way to get around. And I realize that I tailor my travel to where there are bike lanes, especially with the death of [bike rider Josh Anleu, 16, that happened on my block, it feels like this is something that I want to support. And I think that our alderwoman Ruth Cruz has been really good about helping to implement some of these things." Previous Next

< Back Pedestrian Safety Upgrades Along Dangerous Portage Park Stretch An ‘Instant’ Success, Locals Say Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Aug 29, 2025 https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/29/pedestrian-safety-upgrades-along-dangerous-portage-park-stretch-an-instant-success-locals-say/ Previous Next

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!

< Back 300 migrants to be housed at shuttered Catholic church on Northwest Side Chicago Sun-Times Cindy Hernandez Apr 5, 2024 https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/04/05/chicago-migrant-crisis-st-bartholomew-shelter-archdiocese-zakat-mayor-brandon-johnson Previous Next

< 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

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

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.

< Back Aldermen spurning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new budget working group: ‘It points to a larger problem’ Chicago Tribune Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan Apr 24, 2025 https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/24/aldermen-mayor-brandon-johnson-new-budget-working-group/?share=cayc0know02ecny4rgwj Progressive Northwest Side Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, told the Tribune on Wednesday that she declined the invitation because she believes the best way for her to shape the city’s budget is from outside the mayor’s group. “While I appreciate the consideration, I’m concerned that this group may be more about appearances than a genuine desire for input,” said the freshman alderman, who has often voted with Johnson but recently put more distance between herself and the mayor. “We have seen it for quite some time. Input has been provided and the administration decides to continue with their original plan.” Previous Next

30th Ward Team Alderwoman Cruz has a strong team of professionals helping her serve the people of the 30th Ward and the City of Chicago. Katy Schafer Director of Communications Katherine.Schafer@cityofchicago.org Jason Liechty Director of Policy and Zoning Jason.Liechty@cityofchicago.org Miguel Cordero Constituent Services Lead Miguel.Cordero@cityofchicago.org Alba Orizaba Correa Office Manager Alba.OrizabaCorrea@cityofchicago.org Citlally Fonseca Hernandez Scheduler/Constituent Services Manager Citlally.FonsecaHernandez@ cityofchicago.org Barb Beronski Director of Community Outreach Barb.Beronski@cityofchicago.org Dominic Maino Policy and Zoning Lead Dominic.Maino@cityofchicago.org Jazmin Cruz Constituent Services Lead Jazmin.Cruz@cityofchicago.org

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