June 12th, 2026
Dear Neighbors,
Chicago experienced severe storms this week, and our office has been out surveying damage and responding to emergency situations. Throughout the ward, we’ve seen so many neighbors stepping up to help clear debris and support one another. Thank you for demonstrating the community spirit that makes the 30th Ward such a special place.
We also want to thank our Streets and Sanitation workers—both here in the 30th Ward and across the city—as they continue their storm cleanup efforts. As crews finish removing tree debris that is obstructing streets and sidewalks, they will move on to clearing smaller debris. If you have tree debris that needs to be removed, you can submit a request through 311 or contact our office for assistance. For more information about forestry services, please see the Focus on City Services section of this newsletter.
The City of Chicago’s HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program is now accepting applications. This program helps low- and moderate-income Chicagoans achieve home ownership by providing direct financial assistance. Eligible home buyers may receive up to $70,000 in forgivable grant funding to purchase a one- or two-unit home in Chicago.
The 30th Ward is committed to being accessible and responsive to our residents. We have several opportunities coming up to connect with us outside of regular office hours. First, our office will be open for Second Saturday service hours tomorrow, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During July, our team will also be visiting 30th Ward parks between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to answer questions, share resources, and help residents submit service requests. And, of course, Alderwoman Cruz continues to host Ward Nights on Monday evenings. You can find schedules and additional information about these opportunities in our Ward Night Update section.
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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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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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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Save the Date - 30th Ward Events |
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We are partnering with the Chicago Police Department to offer catalytic converter etching and painting to make it traceable. The event is first-come, first-served, and it starts at 8am on Saturday, July 18th. |
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We said CONGRATULATIONS to 30th Ward team member Miguel on his recent college graduation and acceptance to the University of Illinois Master of Science in Accounting program!! We will miss seeing his smiling face everyday at the office, his professionalism, and his passion for the community, but we can't wait to see where this new chapter of your life takes you! |
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We participated in the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation Dia Del Nino event at Blackhawk Park. The crowd was lively, and the DJ was  , and the vibes were peak Chicago Summer. |
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We went to Riis Park for the Chicago Angel Exchange - a trinket market and trading event. Stay tuned for the next Angel Exchange in August! |
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We participated in the 25th District CPD Senior Resource Fair, where we connected with 30th Ward residents and shared information about resources available at our office. |
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We participated in the Peace Walk and Rally that kicked off from Riis Park and included community members, faith-based organizations, and local leaders. We walked from Riis Park, down Fullerton Ave, to Hanson Stadium to raise awareness and unite around the importance of a safe summer for all neighborhoods. |
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We stopped by the annual Villa Community Garage Sale, where we always find something cool! |
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We welcomed our first summer intern, Kevin! Next time you are in the 30th Ward Office make sure you say Hello, Bonjour, or Cześć. Check out the Youth Committee Corner of this newsletter to hear directly from Kevin about important summer weather safety reminders! |
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Our team was out in the field the night of the powerful storms to survey for damage, clean up what we could, and get emergencies reported as quickly as possible. |
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Check out these opportunities to meet with Alderwoman Cruz and 30th Ward staff outside our normal office hours! |
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Immigration & Know Your Rights |
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The Northwest Side has seen an increase in ICE activity in recent weeks. Northwest side elected officials are closely monitoring the detentions and working with impacted families. Our office has know your rights literature, yard signs, and whistle kits available to anyone who would like one. For real time updates on confirmed ICE Activity on the Northwest side you can follow Northwest Side Rapid Response of social media. |
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The Northwest Side Rapid Response team has created a Whistle Alert Response Network (WARN) to help warn vulnerable neighbors when there is confirmed ICE activity in the area. To learn more, or sign up see below. |
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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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The Youth Committee Corner
Welcome to The Youth Committee Corner! This new addition to the newsletter will provide an exciting opportunity dedicated to amplifying youth voices, leadership experiences, and community involvement. Expect to see some interesting content coming up including “Did You Know?” topics, opportunities for local youths in the 30th Ward, and highlights from our summer interns, so make sure to keep reading our newsletters so you don’t miss out!
Our writer on the corner will be me, Kevin, an intern with the 30th Ward office who currently goes to Cornell University in New York studying Atmospheric Sciences (Meteorology). During this internship, I hope to gain more hands-on experience with local government, public service, and community outreach, especially since meteorology requires many of the same skills, including being able to translate complex information into words that anyone in the general public can understand.
Being a student in meteorology and a 30th Ward resident, I would like to remind everyone of some important facts when it comes to summer weather, particularly about the dangers of summer heat. As many of us know, especially in these past few days, the Chicago summer heat can get very unbearable at times, and unfortunately, it will only continue to get worse.
As a result, it’s critical that we all stay prepared not just before storms roll through, but also before the heat rolls through. Below are two infographics from the National Weather Service Chicago office that provide great information on how to prepare before, during, and after heatwaves take place.
After all, heat causes more deaths in the the United States annually than tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods on average and everyone can be vulnerable to the heat, so be sure to be weather-ready! |
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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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Do you live in State Senator Robert Martwick’s district? You can submit a request to have them visit your block party with snow cones! Don’t know what district you live in? You can look it up here. |
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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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Statement on the Proposed Sale of the Chicago Parking Meter Lease to New Owners
I am firmly opposed to the proposed sale of Chicago parking meter concessionaire Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak Partners, absent major changes to the underlying agreement that favor the City and Chicago residents.
This proposal is dead on arrival, at least with me. The current owner of the parking meter concession doesn’t want it any more? Tough. Chicagoans are saddled with this bad deal for five more decades, and unlike the owner, we don’t have a private equity fund lined up to solve our problems. Asking me to vote to approve this sale without changes is like asking me to vote for canceling Christmas or to eat 100 hot dogs with ketchup. Never gonna happen.
All of us need to come together at this unique moment to demand major changes to the agreement that benefit the City and its residents. The parking meter deal is probably the worst agreement in the history of municipal finance anywhere on Earth. Chicago residents have made clear repeatedly how much they hate it. I am one of them. Why should we make it easy for the owner to unload this lease on a new party that will continue profiting at the expense of City residents and visitors for another 57 years? Investors have already earned back far more than they paid for the lease in the first place, with more than five decades remaining. I intend to use my leverage to get a better deal for Chicagoans. If the owner wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy, they need to come to the table ready to make a deal. Some of my ideas include: Terminating the agreement decades earlier than the current 2084 end date. Reducing the “true-up” payments required from the City when meter revenue does not meet projections. Revenue caps that limit how much the owner can earn in a given year, with excess revenue returned to the City. Allowing removal of a certain number of meters every year and/or removal of meters accounting for a certain revenue total each year, to enable the City to use the removed parking spaces to accommodate street and transit improvements like bike lanes, bus lanes, Complete Streets projects, traffic calming measures, landscaping, wider sidewalks, outdoor dining areas, and other changes. Elimination of the fee for using the mobile application to pay.
I also share many of my colleagues’ concerns about the prospective buyer’s investment in companies supporting the federal government’s cruel and harmful immigration enforcement activities, and additional concerns regarding the Johnson Administration’s failure to share adequate information in a timely manner with the Council. Ultimately, however, the reason to reject this sale, absent major improvements, is that it ratifies the terrible deal made in 2008. I am not persuaded by the argument that the Council must approve this sale or face arbitration or lawsuits. First, it is clear from a reading of the ordinance and concession agreement that the Council retains full authority to approve or reject a transfer of ownership and is not restricted in any way by a “reasonableness” standard. Second, we could hardly do worse than the current situation, so the threat of arbitration or lawsuits does not deter me in the least. |
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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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The City of Chicago’s Homegrown Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Check out the flyers below for more information and visit here to learn more about potentially life changing program. |
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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 on Thursday, June 18th from Noon - 4pm. 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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