Politics
Chicago Attorney Jerry Joyce Talks About His Bid for Mayor
His family name is a familiar one in state and city politics. Jerry Joyce’s father, Jeremiah Joyce, is a former 19th Ward alderman and state senator, and his brother Kevin Joyce is a former state representative.
And now, the Southwest Side attorney is entering the political field himself as a candidate for mayor of Chicago.
A lifelong resident of Beverly, Joyce is a former Cook County assistant state’s attorney and currently practices at Bizzieri Law Offices.
Next month, his name will appear at the top of the ballot for Chicago mayor.
“We hope our ballot position gives visibility to our ideas to make Chicago more affordable, safer and a place where every child has access to a quality education,” read a Joyce campaign statement Dec. 5 following a drawing to determine ballot order.
To make Chicago safer while addressing the city’s financial health is the focus of a plan to convert five vacant Chicago Public Schools into “new community-based training academies for the city’s fire and police departments,” according to a campaign statement shared with “Chicago Tonight.”
The vacant CPS properties are located in the Austin, West Garfield Park, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing and Washington Park communities, and the proposal could save Chicago up to $100 million, according to the campaign.
“Mayor [Rahm] Emanuel’s current plan for a $100 million training academy completely ignores the fiscal health of the city at a time when our finances are broken,” Joyce said in a statement.
“We certainly need to invest in improved police training but we also must be smarter with our resources and more transparent with the process. My plan ensures that public safety, economic development and fiscal responsibility go hand-in-hand,” he said.
Joyce joins us to discuss his run for the city’s top job.
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