< 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 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

About Us Alderwoman Cruz 30th Ward Team About the 30th Ward Schools Parks Neighborhood Associations Community Organizations Maps Residential Permit Parking Zones Elected Officials SSAs and TIFs Community Areas Mission and Vision The mission of Alderwoman Cruz's 30th Ward Office is to create a progressive and inclusive community that prioritizes public safety, education, and participatory budgeting. Led by Alderwoman Ruth Cruz, we are committed to transparency, grassroots community support, and utilizing the perspective of a dedicated mother. Our vision is to foster a safe and thriving environment where every resident can live, work, and raise their family without fear. We strive to implement innovative policies that address the root causes of crime and promote treatment not trauma, as well as economic development measures that create more housing, especially workforce housing, and foster small businesses. Education is at the heart of our mission. We aim to provide equitable access to quality education, empowering our youth with the tools they need to succeed. Through transparent decision-making and involving the community in budgeting processes, we ensure that education receives the necessary resources. Participatory budgeting is central to our mission, giving residents a direct voice in allocating public funds to projects that enhance our neighborhood. We believe in empowering our community to actively engage in decision-making, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. With Alderwoman Ruth Cruz's leadership, we embrace a grassroots approach that puts the needs of our diverse community at the forefront. We are dedicated to open communication, collaboration, and building bridges between residents and local government. Together, we are shaping a future where progress, safety, education, and participatory democracy thrive in the 30th Ward.

30th Ward Newsletters

< Back Mayor Brandon Johnson enters final budget stretch with diminishing options Chicago Tribune Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan Dec 17, 2025 https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/17/mayor-brandon-johnson-final-budget-stretch-diminishing-options/ Previous Next

2025-26 Participatory Budget Results The votes are in for the 2025-2026 30th Ward Participatory Budget! Thanks to everyone who voted—we received 379 valid votes from 30th Ward residents for projects in three sections of the ward: western, central, and eastern. Projects only competed against each other within each section, rather than across the whole ward. The winning areas to be addressed, and the runners-up, are shown below. You can find a map of the locations here and the full voting results here . We will request traffic studies from the Chicago Department of Transportation for the winning locations and the runners-up. CDOT will propose solutions for each location and provide us with estimated costs. Up to $500,000 in menu money set aside for participatory budget projects will first go towards implementing projects in the winning locations, but surplus funds will then be used for runner-up locations to the extent possible. We will keep you informed about progress on these locations and the planning and implementation of projects for making them safer. Thanks again to everyone who voted, submitted locations and safety issues for consideration, and attended our workshops! Western Part of Ward 30 Winning Location: W. Roscoe St. between N. Narragansett Ave. and N. Central Ave. – bike lane improvements (166 votes) Runner-Up Location: N Melvina Ave between W Roscoe St and W Belmont Ave - traffic calming measures (111 votes) Central Part of Ward 30 Winning Location: N Kilbourn Ave between W Addison St and W Belmont Ave - traffic calming measures and bicycle safety improvements (174 votes) Runner-Up Location: N Laramie Ave and W Grace St and nearby areas - pedestrian improvements (163 votes) Eastern Part of Ward 30 Winning Location: W Addison St and N Avondale Ave / Kennedy Expressway - pedestrian improvements (169 votes) Runner-Up Location: W Addison St and N Keeler Ave - pedestrian improvements (140 votes)

< Back Chicago cop gets street named in honor of Prairie School architect Dwight Perkins Chicago Sun-Times Lee Bey Sep 24, 2025 https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2025/09/24/chicago-cop-schurz-prairie-school-architect-dwight-perkins-street 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

< Back Animal Control Boss Defends Record As Volunteers, Alders Sound Alarm Over Euthanasias, Conditions Block Club Chicago Melody Mercado Mar 5, 2026 https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/05/animal-control-boss-defends-record-as-volunteers-alders-sound-alarm-over-euthanasias-conditions/ Previous Next

Homeowner Resources Homeowners have access to a variety of helpful resources! From property tax appeals and sidewalk repairs to financial assistance and referrals, the 30th Ward Office is here to help. Check out the resources below. Commissioner Jessica Vásquez, Cook County Board (8th District) 2934 N Milwaukee Ave Unit C, Chicago, IL 60618 (312) 603-6386 ** Offers assistance with tax exemptions, tax appeals, and more Cook County Treasurer's Office 118 North Clark Street, Room 112 Chicago, Illinois 60602 (312) 443-5100 Northwest Center 5233 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639 (773) 283-3888 ** Provides foreclosure prevention, LIHEAP & Benefits Enrollment, First-Time Home Buying counseling, and much more Veterans Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County Headquarter Office 1100 S. Hamilton C-O11 (Lower Level), Chicago, Illinois 60612 Phone: (312) 433-6010 **Financial assistance for veterans for emergency aid for rent, utilities, transportation, and food Utility Assistance – CEDA 567 W. Lake Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60661 (312) 782-CEDA (2332) inquiry@cedaorg.net **utility assistance Shared Cost Sidewalk Program The 2026 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program was opened for applications on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Stay tuned for an update in January 2027. **Residents can apply to the program by using the 311 app, calling 311, or visiting the ward office. Housing and Home Modification – City of Chicago’s Office for People with Disabilities (312) 743-5767 or e-mail MOPDHomeMod@cityofchicago.org ** housing and home modifications for people with disabilities Home Repair Program (Formerly known as the Roof and Porch Repair Program) City of Chicago More information will be released later in 2026 Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program **The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral program is a tax-relief program that works like a loan. It allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $7,500 per tax year (this includes 1st and 2nd installments) on their primary home

< Back ‘Car Flippers’ Gobbling Up Street Parking Spots Could Face Crackdown Block Club Chicago Alex V. Hernandez Feb 19, 2025 https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/19/crackdown-could-be-coming-for-unlicensed-car-sellers-taking-over-public-parking-spots/ Previous Next

Zoning, Planning, & Development 30th Ward Zoning Process The 30th Ward follows a zoning and development approval process that puts community input at its center. Intake Forms Are you a developer, zoning attorney, or property owner seeking a zoning change or proposing a development in the 30th Ward? Start here by completing our Zoning Intake Form. Community Zoning Committee Learn more about the group that helps Alderwoman Cruz review development proposals in the 30th Ward. Accessory Dwelling Units Beginning April 1, accessory dwelling units are legal throughout the city, including the 30th Ward - with some conditions. Learn more here. Plans Find information about current and past community planning efforts covering the 30th Ward and nearby areas. Resources