April 17th, 2026
Dear Neighbors,
We’re halfway through Earth Month, and the city is celebrating Earth Day this weekend with citywide community clean-ups. The 30th Ward got a head start over the past two weekends with efforts at Riis Park and in Old Irving Park, and we’re thrilled to see so many parks, neighborhood associations, and community organizations participating this weekend. You can find the full list of community clean-ups here.
April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also bring concerns about flooding. This week’s Focus on City Services highlights steps you can take to prevent flooding and what to do if you experience it—whether on your street or in your basement.
We also have several exciting events coming up. Join us tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, at St. Patrick’s High School for our first annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, where the St. Pat’s Shamrocks will face off against CPD officers from the 16th and 25th Districts. The event is free, and we’ll be collecting canned goods to help stock the 30th Ward Food Pantry.
Next week, we’re hosting a Community Development Grant and SBIF Info Session, a Job Fair, and a Shred-a-Thon. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events section below for more details on each event.
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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Small Business Improvement Fund - Belmont/Central
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in April in the Belmont/Central TIF district. Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by April 30. |
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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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Park District Vendor Meeting
These sessions are a great opportunity to connect directly with Park District representatives and learn more about current and upcoming contracting opportunities across departments such as Planning & Construction, Facility Management, Community Recreation, among many other departments. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in breakout discussions and ask questions specific to their business. |
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Education for Small Businesses Join the Crecer Business Incubator, The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, and Onward Neighborhood House for a series of workshops centered around small business development. |
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Vendors Wanted Chopin Park Advisory Council is looking for vendors for their first ever Summer Fest on Saturday June 27th from noon-8pm. The event will include live music, a kids zone, a beer garden, food trucks, and local vendors. Apply today - spots are limited! |
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Eco-Ship - Welcome to the Ward
We stopped by Eco-Ship to celebrate their Earth Day grand opening. Eco-Ship collects and processes donated packaging materials that might otherwise end up in landfills or as litter in our neighborhoods, giving them a second life through reuse and recycling.
We’re excited to welcome this valuable new resource to the 30th Ward and look forward to the positive impact they’ll have on our community and environment. |
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Chopin Park Egg Hunt
We joined the Chopin Park Advisory Council for their Easter egg hunt where we chatted with neighbors and handed out popcorn |
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Riis Park Cleanup with Chicago Academy High School
We pitched in with Chicago Academy High School to kick off Earth Month with a cleanup at Riis Park. More than 40 students showed up on a rainy Saturday morning to help clean! |
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Teddy Bear Lounge Chili Cook Off
We stopped by Teddy Bear Lounge for their second annual chili cook off and had a very hard time choosing our favorites because all the submissions were delicious. |
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GIPNA Annual Meeting
We attended the Greater Independence Park Neighborhood Association annual meeting where we learned about their goals for the upcoming year |
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Property Tax Appointments at the 30th Ward
We hosted Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez staff at the 30th Ward office to assist residents with their tax exemptions. |
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Pedestrian Safety Meeting at Gray
We hosted a community meeting at Gray Elementary to talk about traffic safety concerns in the surrounding neighborhood |
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Keep Old Irving Park Clean
We joined our neighbors and the “Keep OIP Clean” group to help spruce up the area and give back to our community. A huge thank you to Dan from OIPA, our Ward Superintendent Pete, and all the incredible volunteers who showed up and made a difference. |
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Get Covered Illinois at the 30th WardWe had a representative enrolling and educating residents regarding health care options during ward night. |
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Portage Park Neighborhood Clean Up
The 30th Ward Team was out in the Portage Park neighborhood worked hard to keep our community clean and cared for. Crews picked up garbage, cut weeds, raked sewers, and cleaned alleys throughout the area.
Although the rain cut our efforts short, we still collected 18 bags of trash. Thank you to our dedicated team for showing up and making a difference, rain or shine! |
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VA Visit
The VA hosted their monthly visit at our office. Their next visit at the ward office will be on May 21st from 12-4pm. |
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Spring Ward Night Schedule |
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The 30th Ward is proud to be partnering on the following events: |
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Find a community clean-up near you to celebrate Earth Month! All supplies will be provided - just bring yourself and your passion for our beautiful community.GIPNA Alley Clean Up Greater Independence Park Neighborhood Association for their annual Spring Alley Cleanup on Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, feel free to meet at the corner of Lawndale and Byron. Independence Park Mulching
Join the Independence Park Advisory Council in mulching trees for Earth Day on Saturday, April 18! Meet on the east side of the field house at 3945 N. Springfield at 9am. Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided! Please sign up so we know who, and how many people, to expect. Students can earn Service Hours by participating! All are welcome. Sign up here. Chopin Park Clean UpJoin the Chopin Park Advisory Council on Saturday April 18th from 10am-noon for a clean up around the park. 
Kilbourn Park Clean UpJoin the Kilbourn Park Advisory Council from 9am-Noon on Saturday April 18th for a clean up around the park. 
Scammon School Clean UpJoin Scammon families as they clean up the school campus and surrounding neighborhood on Saturday, April 25th from 8:30-10:30. Meet at the main entrance.  
Addison Avondale Mural Garden Clean UpHelp us get the community garden at Addison and Avondale cleaned up for spring on Tuesday, April 28th from 4:30-6pm. All ages and experience levels are welcome, cold water and tools will be provided. 
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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 resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs support. |
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Ricon Family Services has several upcoming opportunities for people who would like help preparing to become a US Citizen. For more information or to reserve your spot, give them a call at 312-973-0695. |
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Feedback Needed: Cicero Ave and The Belmont Central Corridor |
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Join us and the Department of Planning and Development for the next virtual public meeting for the Cicero Avenue Land Use Study on Wednesday, April 29th via Zoom at 6:30pm!
The project team will be sharing the draft goals, strategies, and other key elements of the Study, and they need your input. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jLtbGCwbQaiUIX0lcoHeRQ
We hope you can join us and share your insights about the future of Cicero Avenue in Belmont Cragin and Portage Park! |
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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 revitalize our commercial corridor and support 2023 and 2024 storm-impacted areas in Austin, Belmont Cragin, and West Garfield Park. For more information, click here.
Our office, together with Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, is working to bring in businesses ready to serve our community.
Imagine the future of Belmont & Central with us! What businesses, shops, or restaurants would you love to see in the corridor? Your ideas will help guide future development in our neighborhood. |
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April showers bring May flowers, but can also lead to flooding. Here are some things to remember when we are experiencing heavier-than-usual rainfall.
Report Clogged Drains: City sewers use restrictors to slow rainwater entering the system, so temporary standing water after a storm helps prevent basement flooding. If water does not drain within 24 hours, contact our office to request a sewer inspection.
Keep Catch Basins Clear: Work with neighbors in between street cleanings to remove leaves, trash, and debris from storm drains so water can flow properly. Avoid pushing leaves or trash into the street - it is against city ordinance and can result in a fine.
Go Green: Redirect downspouts away from the sewer system into drainage areas like rain barrels or gardens, and incorporate green infrastructure, like rain gardens and native plants, to help absorb storm water and reduce runoff.
Conserve Water: Delay running dishwashers, washing machines, and bathing during heavy rainfall. Sign up for MWRD Action Alerts for Overflow Action Alert Days here.
Report Flooded Basements: It is very important to report any basement flooding to 311. This helps the city understand flooding patterns and find solutions. If you need help reporting in 311, give us a call! |
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April is also The City Clerk’s Office Amnesty Month. Every April the City Clerk’s Office offers an Amnesty Program to help residents take care of outstanding City Sticker renewals without additional penalties. |
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Tipped Wage Freeze
This Wednesday’s City Council meeting was very eventful. Most notably, an attempt to override Mayor Johnson’s veto of legislation to freeze the tipped wage for hourly hospitality workers at 76% of minimum wage failed by a vote 30-19. I voted against overriding the veto. Although I am very sympathetic to the difficult situation in which many restaurants currently find themselves, I do not believe the solution should fall on the backs of workers. They are experiencing financial challenges these days as well, with higher grocery, fuel, utility, and other costs. A compromise measure that would freeze the 76% tipped wage for two years before resuming the path to the full minimum wage has been introduced. I will be studying the ordinance and conferring with my colleagues before deciding how to vote.
Zoning Committee The Council also elected Alderman Gil Villegas (from our neighboring 36th Ward) as Chair of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards for the remainder of our term of office. I had supported a different resolution which would have named Zoning Vice Chair Alderman Bennett Lawson (44th Ward) as the permanent Chair and me as Vice Chair. Ald. Lawson performed the job of Acting Chair excellently for two different periods totaling nearly 18 months. Although the proposal favoring Ald. Lawson and myself did not succeed, I want to congratulate Ald. Villegas on his new role. I look forward to working with him, Ald. Lawson (who remains Vice Chair), Zoning Committee staff, and my colleagues to bring responsible development, more housing, and a larger property tax base to the City. Alderman Derrick Curtis (18th Ward) was elected to replace Ald. Villegas as Chair of the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development.
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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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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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Resources for Homeowners
Are you a first-time homebuyer? Or looking to be? The City of Chicago is offering the TaxSmart Mortgage Credit program, which may be able to bring down your annual housing costs through an income tax credit. Annual income limits apply. For more information, visit City of Chicago :: TaxSmart or call (312) 744-0891. |
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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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Chicago Youth Works
Chicago Youth Works has announced their summer employment program, formally known as One Summer Chicago! This program connects youth ages 14-24 to summer employment opportunities across Chicago. Applications are due by May 29th. |
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Junior Bike Ambassador Program Pedal with purpose this summer. Get paid, build skills, and help your community as a Junior Bike Ambassador. Ride, educate, and grow! Apply here: https://bit.ly/4snsh4K |
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Secretary of State Summer Jobs The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is accepting applications for its 2026 summer youth employment program, offering 25 paid positions for high school, college, and trade school students across Illinois. |
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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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