Title
REQUEST TO OFFICIALLY RENAME
WALNUT PARK
IN HONOR OF IRMA C. RUIZ
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or his designee to officially name Walnut Park in honor of Irma C. Ruiz.
II. Park Naming Information
Park or feature: Walnut Park
Location: 3801 West 45th Street
Community Area: Archer Heights
Ward: 14
Proposed Name: Irma C. Ruiz Park
III. Park Naming Procedures
Pursuant to Chapter VII, Section E (1) of the Code of the Chicago Park District, this request to name Park #532 was forwarded to the Secretary of the Chicago Park District, who filed a copy of this request with the Committee on Programs and Recreation and initiated a notice period to solicit public input. Notices were posted in parks and sent to advisory councils located within a one-mile radius of the park site. Elected officials were also notified of the proposal, including the alderman of the ward in which the park is located.
The notice period of forty-five (45) days soliciting public input regarding the naming proposal was initiated on August 21, 2018. There has been positive support for this proposal from -Alderman Edward Burke. Staff recommends that the Board approve the request to name Walnut Park as Irma C. Ruiz Park.
IV. Explanation
Officer Irma C. Ruiz graduated from the Chicago Police Academy on October 1, 1976, and was among the first female officers assigned to the Grand Crossing District. On September 22, 1988, Officer Ruiz and her partner were assigned to the Harrison Area’s Youth Division, and were responding to a call at the Moses Montefiore School for assistance with an unruly student. While Officers Ruiz and Jaglowski were in the school, a heavily-armed gunman burst into the school after fatally shooting two persons across the street and the school custodian outside the school. Upon seeing the officers, the gunman opened fire, fatally striking Officer Ruiz in the chest. Although seriously wounded, Officer Jaglowski returned fire, killing the offender. The presence of Officer Ruiz at the school at that moment likely prevented many more deaths, including schoolchildren, that day.
During her twelve-year careen on the force, Officer Ruiz had received a department commendation, three honorable mentions, and had four complimentary letters in her personnel file. In addition to being a well-regarded and respected member of the Police Department, Officer Ruiz is remembered as being a loving wife and a devoted mother of four, and a caring member of her Beverly community. She was the third female officer to be killed in the line of duty.