< Back Public Statement on ICE Activity in Old Irving Park Alderwoman Ruth Cruz Oct 25, 2025 I am horrified that masked agents of the US government assaulted, attacked, and detained residents of the Northwest Side, including 30th Ward neighbors and US citizens, earlier today--ripping families apart, endangering people, and unleashing terror on our streets. These out-of-control forces also again deployed tear gas against people in residential neighborhoods unprovoked, without warning, in clear violation of federal court orders. My heart is with the affected families and victims of these vile assaults. I am extremely proud of the actions of the many rapid responders and everyday residents who took to the streets to defend people and stand up to federal agents peacably, but firmly. They represent the spirit of Chicago - kind, compassionate, and fierce. We will never stop standing up for our neighbors against cruelty and violence or standing up for the rule of law. ___ Declaración Publica Estoy horrorizada de que agentes encapuchados del gobierno de Estados Unidos hayan agredido, atacado y detenido a residentes del Noroeste de la ciudad, incluyendo a vecinos del Distrito 30 y a ciudadanos estadounidenses, más temprano hoy—destrozando familias, poniendo en peligro a las personas y desatando el terror en nuestras calles. Estas fuerzas fuera de control también usaron gas lacrimógeno nuevamente contra personas en vecindarios residenciales sin provocación, sin advertencia alguna, en clara violación de órdenes judiciales federales. Mi corazón está con las familias afectadas y las víctimas de estos atroces ataques. Estoy sumamente orgullosa de las acciones de los muchos respondedores rápidos y residentes comunes que salieron a las calles para defender a las personas y enfrentarse a los agentes federales de manera pacífica, pero firme. Ellos representan el espíritu de Chicago: amable, compasivo y valiente. Nunca dejaremos de defender a nuestros vecinos contra la crueldad y la violencia, ni de defender el estado de derecho. Previous Next

Policy & Issues Participatory Budgeting City Council

< Back Josh Anleu Ghost Bike Vigil | Chicago 30th Ward Alder Ruth Cruz (Youtube) Bike Lane Uprising (YouTube) - Nov 21, 2023 https://youtu.be/epNcBqPaSUE?si=cOCN0tT9Ob8jQ9e0 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

< Back Special Newsletter - 2026 Budget Alderwoman Ruth Cruz Oct 27, 2025 Dear 30th Ward residents, Mayor Brandon Johnson presented his 2026 budget proposal for the City on October 16. The administration faces the challenge of addressing an estimated $1.15 billion deficit while maintaining investments in the City’s people and infrastructure. I am reviewing the proposed budget with an eye towards balancing it through strategic adjustments to services and revenue streams to ensure fiscal sustainability. There will be difficult choices ahead, and we may not all agree on every decision. I encourage you to share your feedback throughout this process, as the decisions I make will be guided by community input and aimed at serving the best interests of our neighborhood and city. Overall budget picture Overall, the $16.1 billion spending plan is 3.2% lower than last year’s budget. The proposed budget does not include a property tax increase, nor is there a grocery tax—the state eliminated the tax earlier this year but gave local governments the option to reinstitute it. (Before it was eliminated, the grocery tax contributed approximately $80 million annually to City revenues.) At this point in time, I will be watching three major areas closely: First, the decision to declare a very large TIF surplus of $1 billion. This would result in the loss of $13,452,632 from the fund balance of the Belmont Central TIF district, much of which lies in the 30th Ward, hurting our ability to make infrastructure and other public improvements. Second, reducing the advance pension payment by nearly $118 million. This payment is intended to reduce the City’s enormous pension debt by more than the legally required amount, thereby saving the City even more money in the future. I have serious concerns that reducing this advance payment could lead to credit rating agencies downgrading the City’s debt, increasing our borrowing costs and costing us far more than the $118 million saved. Third: The head tax, a proposed tax on companies with 100 or more employees, at a rate of $21 per month per employee. Funds raised would be devoted to community violence reduction programs and other public safety measures. Pros of the head tax: Could provide additional revenue to help balance the City’s budget. Ensures that big companies pay their fair share. Only about 3% of businesses in the City would be affected. Cons: May send the wrong signal to the business community. Could discourage companies from moving to or expanding in Chicago. This might prompt some businesses to relocate elsewhere. My staff and I will be considering the mayor’s budget proposal thoroughly to assess what parts I can support and which I oppose and will seek to change. The City Council will undoubtedly make many alterations to the mayor’s budget proposal, and I will take an active part in those discussions and negotiations. Highlights of the Mayor’s proposal Item Amount NEW OR EXPANDED TAXES AND FEES: Personal property lease transaction tax increase – Also known as the “ cloud computing tax,” this is a tax on software programs hosted online, like Salesforce. The tax rate will increase from 11% to 14%. $333,200,000 Community safety surcharge, also known as the employee “head tax.” The money will go to new “community safety fund” established for violence reduction. The surcharge will be $21 per month per employee for companies with 100 or more employees (3% of businesses in the city). 100,000,000 Social media amusement and recreation tax (SMART) – This is a tax on social media companies like Facebook and Tiktok. The money will go to a new “protecting care fund” to cover expansion of teams responding to mental health emergencies instead of police. The logic is that these social media companies’ products lead to mental health issues in children as well as adults. The tax will be 50 cents per user in Chicago, after the first 100,000 users. 31,000,000 Ground transportation tax changes – this applies to rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. The existing congestion surcharge zone will be expanded to include the most congested 20% of areas in the city, and the tax will change from a flat rate (which varies by vehicle type and time of day) to 10.25% per ride. 5,400,000 Hemp tax – This is a $2 per unit tax on on hemp-derived products like Delta-8 and THCA. 10,000,000 Enhanced debt plan and Smart Streets expansion. We are seeking more information about what the debt plan is, but Smart Streets is automated enforcement and ticketing of vehicles blocking bus and bike lanes along streets. 47,300,000 Online sports betting tax – This is a tax on 10.25% of gambling companies’ adjusted gaming receipts. 26,200,000 Boat mooring fee increase, from 7% to 23%, for boats moored along City waterways like harbors and marinas. 4,100,000 Vacant building renewal fee, meant to dissuade building owners from leaving their properties vacant. 400,000 OTHER REVENUES: City’s share of tax increment financing (TIF) surplus. The total amount to be declared surplus is $1 billion, but that is apportioned out to the different taxing districts. Chicago Public Schools will receive the largest share, over $500 million. 232,600,000 LOWERED EXPENDITURES: Operational efficiencies. Changes to how departments carry out their duties that reduce operating expenses. 111,900,000 Personnel savings (including hiring freeze). There are exemptions for public safety, revenue generation, legislative, elections, consent decree, information technology, mental health, and litigation savings positions. 100,600,000 Reduction in advance pension payment. For the last few years, the City has been paying more than it is legally required to pay to bring down the total future cost of retirement benefits for City employees. Those retirement funds are currently severely underfunded. This measure would reduce that additional payment, in part because the City is already ahead of where it had planned to be at this point in time, but the City will have more ground to make up in the future. 117,800,000 INCREASED EXPENDITURES: Rapid rehousing program. This will allow for homeless people to be quickly moved off the street and out of parks, etc., into housing. -5,100,000 Note: The budget does not eliminate any of the nearly 1,000 police vacancies, but it does include a cap on police overtime beyond $200 million. Any overtime expenditure over that amount will have to be separately approved by the City Council. We want your opinion! Please take our budget survey (links below) to let us know what you think about the mayor’s proposal and some of the individual items within it. You can also email us at Ward30@cityofchicago.org . English Español Polski Understanding what the community thinks makes me a more effective advocate in the City Council. Upcoming budget town hall I am planning to hold a budget town hall in the coming weeks, most likely a virtual meeting on Zoom. Please stay tuned to our newsletter and social media for details. Attend or watch the budget hearings The hearings held by the Committee on Budget and Government Operations on the 2026 Budget began this week. You can attend in person in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., and watch live sessions or past recordings online on the City Clerk’s website . Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 10 am Office of Budget and Management Department of Finance Office of the Chief Financial Officer Wednesday, October 22, beginning at 9:30 am Department of Transportation Department of Streets and Sanitation Department of Technology and Innovation Thursday, October 23, beginning at 9:30 am Department of Aviation Department of Water Management Department of Fleet and Facility Management Department of Buildings Wednesday, October 29, beginning at noon Office of the Inspector General Department of Procurement Services Department of Environment Thursday, October 30, beginning at 9:30 am Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Department of Family and Support Services Department of Public Health Chicago Commission on Human Relations Tuesday, November 4, beginning at 9:30 am Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department of Planning and Development Department of Housing Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Chicago Public Library Wednesday, November 5, beginning at 9:30 am Chicago Police Department Thursday, November 6, beginning at 9:30 am Office of Public Safety Administration Office of Emergency Management and Communications Chicago Fire Department Wednesday, November 12, beginning at 9:30 am Department of Human Resources Board of Ethics Civilian Office for Police Accountability Community Commissioner for Public Safety and Accountability License Appeal Commission Chicago Police Board Thursday, November 13, beginning at 9:30 am City Treasurer City Clerk Department of Administrative Hearings Chicago Board of Elections Chicago Animal Care and Control Department of Law Detailed information about the budget: The budget recommendation documents are available for download on the Office of Budget and Management 2026 Budget webpage : 2026 Budget Overview 2026 Budget At-A-Glance ( Spanish version and Polish version ) 2026 Budget Recommendations Book (large document) And you can read press coverage of the mayor’s budget proposal here: Block Club Chicago Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Tribune Previous Next

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30th Ward Maps Clicking on a map will open it in a new window. Residential Parking Zones Honorary Street Signs since 2023 Community Areas Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and Special Service Areas (SSA

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30th Ward Newsletters

< Back Reinberg Elementary School Holds Peace Rally After Loss Of Two Young Students, Online Threat Block Club Chicago Molly DeVore Oct 7, 2024 https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/07/portage-park-elementary-school-holds-peace-rally-after-loss-of-two-young-students-online-threat/ Previous Next

Community Organizations Economic Development BACP - Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Chicago's Department of Planning and Development Northwest Side Community Development Portage Park Chamber of Commerce Belmont-Central Chamber of Commerce Hermosa-Belmont Cragin Chamber of Commerce Food Resources Onward Neighborhood House - 773-622-3215 5413 W. Diversey Ave. Onward House supports families through food assistance, early childhood education, and accessible English and computer classes. Irving Park Community Food PantryIrving Park Community Food Pantry - (773) 283-6296 4256 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 Greater Chicago Food Depository Food pantry - 773-843-5416 https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/ Portage Cragin Counseling Center - Lutheran Social Services of Illinois 833-610-5774 and select option 3 email: hometeam@lssi.org St John's Episcopal Church - (773) 725-9026 3857 N Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 Liberty Christian Center- (773) 545-2109 5447 W Addison St Thursday from 10am-2pm on a first come first serve basis. No questions asked, no sign up. Family Services La Casa Norte – 773-246-4900 3533 W. North Ave La Casa Norte provides youth and families confronting homelessness with access to housing and comprehensive support services. Metro Family Services - 773-371-3700 3249 N Central The organization offers services needed to strengthen families and communities such as Early Learning and Head Start, apprenticeship programs, senior services, behavioral health and legal assistance. Rincon Family Resources - (888) 215-0513 5453 W Diversey Ave. With a focus on promoting well-being and empowerment, the Rincon assists with case management, substance prevention, and treatment services. After School Matters- 312-846-8023 3435 N Cicero Youth and employment and programs Heartland Alliance- 5715 W. Belmont Ave. 773-275-2586 Heartland supports the community with Resettlement services, including healthcare, mental health, education, employment, and legal services. LUCHA - 773-276-5338 1116 N. Kedzie Avenue LUCHA guides the community in homeownership and housing counseling.