June 5th, 2026
Dear Neighbors,
Summer has officially arrived, and we have so many ways to celebrate!
We are pleased to be partnering with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation to bring another Día del Niño celebration to the Northwest Side. We hope you can join us this Saturday, June 6, at Blackhawk Park from noon to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of fun, activities, and giveaways.
We are also thrilled to announce that we have TWO free concert series coming to the ward this summer. The Levitt VIBE Concert Series is returning to Riis Park , bringing free concerts every Saturday from June 13 through August 22. The Kilbourn Park summer concert series also returns this year with free concerts in the park every Friday in July. Check out the Community Events section of this newsletter for more information!
Summertime also brings back memories of summer camp crafts, and The Bloomin Spindle, located at 5359 W. Irving Park Road, will be hosting nostalgic fun all season long. Their summer crafting classes revisit classic camp projects and offer a creative way to enjoy the season.
Of course, summer is also construction season. Be sure to check our website for alerts and updates on infrastructure projects happening throughout the 30th Ward. We appreciate everyone's patience as these much-needed improvements are completed. As always, please reach out to our office if you have any questions or concerns about work taking place in your neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Ruth Cruz
Alderwoman, 30th Ward |
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To read this newsletter in your preferred Language: Follow this link, click on the newsletter you’d like to read, and select your language from the drop-down menu in the top-right corner. You’ll be redirected to a Google Translate page, where a blue drop-down menu in the top-left corner lets you choose your preferred language. |
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Free Body Physical Therapy and Wellness is coming to Belmont Cragin soon!
Be sure to check out their free community event taking place on June 20th. More details coming soon, and stay tuned for their official opening date.
We’re excited to welcome another wellness-focused business to our community! |
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Goodwill Opening at Belmont and Pulaski
Goodwill is hosting a job fair at 2135 W Grand Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 for people who are interested in applying for a job at the Belmont and Pulaski store. Register here for the job fair. |
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Belmont/Central Corridor Activation Program
The Belmont/Central Corridor has been selected for the Neighborhood Retail Activation Program through the Mayor’s Office, BACP, and our office.
This initiative will help revitalize our commercial corridor and support 2023 and 2024 storm-impacted areas in Austin, Belmont Cragin, and West Garfield Park.
For more information, visit: Chicago.gov/BACPRetail |
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DCASE Grants Available
Apply for a Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) grant to fund arts and cultural projects in your community. It's easy to apply! Submit your idea by July 1, 2026, at noon CT. Visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org to attend an application assistance workshop and apply. |
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Save the Date - Catalytic Converter Etching |
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We had so much fun celebrating Mother's Day with the 30th Ward at our Loteria and Bingo event! Thank to everyone who joined in the celebration! |
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We stopped by Las Damas de Belmont Cragin’s Mother's Day celebration to honor the incredible work they are doing in the community. |
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We recognized the Scammon School Centennial year at City Council alongside Scammon Leadership and LSC members. Go Huskies! |
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We celebrated the end of the school year at Marvin Camras Children's Engineering School’s End-of-School Block Party. Go Panthers! |
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We participated in a community clean-up around Parkview Playlot and the surrounding Avondale neighborhood alongside Digital Third Coast. |
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We joined the 25th District CPD for a Meet the Block to increase awareness about vehicle theft prevention. |
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As we wrap up another incredible internship season, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our ITW Speer Academy High School interns for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm throughout their time with us. Their contributions have made a meaningful impact on our office, including helping set up our food pantry and co-hosting our job fair for the community.
We are proud to have been part of their journey and grateful for the positive energy, teamwork, and commitment they brought each day. We wish all of our interns continued success in their future academic and professional endeavors! |
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Upcoming Ward Night Schedule |
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Immigration & Know Your Rights |
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Our office will continue to share reliable updates and connect residents with Know Your Rights and immigration resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs support. |
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Chicago's Blue Cart Program Chicago's Blue Cart program is the City's largest effort for residential recycling. The Blue Cart program encompasses approximately 625,000 residential units consisting of single-family households, multi-family buildings (up to four dwelling units), and city facilities. |
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Garage Sale Season
Garage sale season is officially underway! If you are interested in hosting a garage sale you can find the application on our website or stop by our office to fill one out. Here are a few things to remember: Each household is allowed to have two garage sales a year. Each garage sale can be three consecutive days and between the hours of 9am and sunset. Advertising your yard sale on city property - light poles, etc - is prohibited If you would like to promote your yard sale in our bi weekly newsletter please send us a flyer 2 weeks prior to the yard sale at Ward30@cityofchicago.org.
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Block Party Season
Are you planning on hosting a block party this summer? You can stop by our office to pick up your application packet or download it from the 30th Ward Website. Please don’t forget to send the flyer that will be shared with neighbors to advertise the block party when you submit your application.
We are also excited to announce that the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Jumping Jack Portal is now open. The Jumping Jack (inflatable bounce house) is available, free of charge, to Residential Block Parties within the city limits from Saturday, May 24th through Sunday, August 31st. This program is first-come, first-serve, so if you already know the date of your 2026 block party, apply early! Sign up here. |
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The Department of Streets and Sanitation Native and Pollinator Garden Registry is now accepting applications! Here is additional information from DSS: The Native and Pollinator Garden Registry recognizes gardens across Chicago that support native plants, pollinators, and healthy ecosystems.
Property owners, residents, organizations, and institutions with qualifying gardens are encouraged to apply to be listed on the Registry.
Being on the Registry: Helps City departments and neighbors recognize your garden as intentionally planted and maintained. Supports education and awareness about native and pollinator-friendly landscapes. Contributes to citywide efforts to protect pollinators, improve biodiversity, and manage stormwater.
Gardens are only added to the Registry after a completed application is submitted and reviewed. You can learn more and start your application here.
Check out our Legislative portion of this newsletter to learn more about an amendment to the original ordinance that established the registry to allow for taller plants to be included. |
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Forestry Reminders
Tree Trimming: Chicago residents no longer need to submit a request for an individual tree to be trimmed. The Bureau of Forestry’s goal is to operate weekly in every ward during the tree trimming season (generally April - December), barring any emergency weather incidents. Trees will be posted with signage in advance of tree trimming. If there is a tree in your parkway that you are concerned about, please reach out to our office to let us know.
Tree Removals: The City of Chicago will only remove a tree from the parkway if it is dead, dying, or diseased. If there is a tree in your parkway that seems unhealthy, please reach out to our office so we can request an inspection. Once it is inspected and forestry determines that it is dead, dying, or diseased it will be scheduled for removal.
Tree Emergencies: If a large branch or tree comes down during a storm please call our office to report it. If the debris is smaller than a desk you can report directly to 311. Call us anytime with questions!
Tree Planting: If you are interested in having a free tree planted in your parkway you can Submit a request through 311. Take advantage of this opportunity to beautify your neighborhood, improve air quality, and add more greenery to Chicago’s streets! |
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Longer Phase-Out for Tipped Wage Approved The City Council overwhelmingly approved (only 1 no vote) to amend the phase-out of the tipped wage for hospitality workers, extending the timeline to bring them up to full minimum wage. Establishments with between 3 and 21 employees will have the tipped wage paused for four years before it begins to increase again, while establishments with 22 or more employees will have a two-year pause. However, the “frozen” tipped minimum wage will continue to increase slightly in line with increases in the overall minimum wage. Appointments The City Council approved several important appointments (I voted in favor of all of them): William Cheaks as the new Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. David Glockner, a former utility executive and former federal prosecutor, as the City’s Inspector General. Anjanette Young and Angelique Guzman as Commissioners of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the body that oversees the Chicago Police Department, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and the Police Board.
Ban on Extremist Activities by CPD Employees Approved The City Council approved by a vote of 28 to 21 an ordinance introduced by Alderman Matt Martin to prevent Chicago Police Department employees from actively participating in extremist organizations bent on overthrowing local, state, or federal governments in the US, or planning and executing hate crimes. “Actively participating” is defined as holding leadership positions, distributing literature, raising funds, promoting or engaging in unlawful violence and extremist activities, and other similar behavior. Originally, Alderman Martin sought to ban all City employees from engaging in such extremist activities—something I and many other alders would have preferred—but the Law Department advised Ald. Martin that an ordinance that broad would face certain legal challenge and stand a significant chance of being struck down. An ordinance focused only on the police would be more defensible because police carry weapons, can detain people, and have other “police powers” that require them to maintain trust with the public. I voted with the majority of the Council to approve this ordinance. Ordinance Introduced to Approve Sale of Parking Meter Concession Mayor Johnson introduced legislation that would approve the sale of Chicago Parking Meters LLC, the entity that owns the lease to the city’s parking meters, to Stonepeak Partners, a private equity firm. Approval by the City Council is required under the terms of the concession agreement. I will have more to say on this in the near future, but rest assured that I am 100% against approving this sale unless the seller and the buyer offer major changes that benefit the City and its residents. |
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Food Resources
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has an interactive map of locations where you can find food assistance: |
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The 30th Ward office has a supply of pantry essentials. If you or someone you know is in need we can provide a bag of groceries, no questions asked. Stop by our office anytime during regular business hours. |
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The Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program recently launched a Flood Mitigation Rebate Program for members. If you are interested in becoming a member or applying for this program please reach out directly to NWHEAP at 773-622-0700. |
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Resources For Job Seekers |
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The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County will be at the 30th Ward office the third Thursday of each month. The VACCC is a county-based veterans service organization that assists honorably discharged veterans and their dependents who live in Cook County, Illinois. It focuses on both immediate emergency support and benefit navigation to help veterans access the resources they’ve earned. If you or someone you know needs help in the meantime, you can reach out to the VACCC directly at 312-433-6010. |
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Resources for Students and Their Families |
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Engaging with the Chicago Police Department
There are a variety of ways to engage with the Chicago Police Department. Here are upcoming opportunities - including CAPS meetings, Conversations with a Commander, and District Council meetings. If you are unsure of the police district or beat that you live in you can look up that information here. |
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Have you visited us at 5418-A W. Belmont Ave? Stop by and say hi! Here are our hours: Monday: 9am-7pm Tuesday: 9am-5pm Wednesday: 9am-4pm Thursday: 9am-5pm Friday: 9am-3pm Second Saturday each month: 9am-1pm |
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Meet Alderwoman CruzJoin us Monday night from 5-7pm to meet Alderwoman Cruz. Share ideas, concerns, or feedback directly with the Alderwoman - no appointment needed! |
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Connect with your Northwest Side Elected Officials Need help finding out who your state elected officials are? You can look up that information here. |
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For general questions, feel free to send us an email at our ward inbox or visit us at our website: Ward30@cityofchicago.org / https://www.30thward.org/ |
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