Candidate for Chicago City Council

About the Candidate

Name: Anthony Driver Jr.
DOB: April 13, 1993
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Political Experience: Former Mayor’s Office of Public engagement fellow, Capitol Hill staffer, and activist.
Website: driverfor20th.com

Candidate Statement

Hello, I’m Anthony Driver Jr and I’m a candidate for Alderman of the 20th Ward. I’m a fourth generation resident of the 20th Ward. I come from a working class family with two union parents and grandparents who are pillars in the community. I’m a graduate of Howard University. I have experience working in every level of government from grassroots activism to city hall and everything in between

Growing up on the Southside of Chicago I could tell that things in my neighborhood were different than everywhere else.

I watched as my dad, a union journeyman carpenter, would have to drive an hour away to Gurnee each morning just to find stable employment. I witnessed gun violence up close and personal on a weekly basis. I’ve seen my family members get pushed out to the suburbs as the property taxes, water bills, duplicate tickets, red light cameras, and everything else just became too much to bear.

And while all of this was happening our elected officials raised taxes even more. They were silent about the amount of lead in our water, but vocal about building a new $95 million dollar police academy. While my community remained resilient in the face of adversity, our elected officials were being indicted. 3 consecutive Alderman in the 20th Ward have been federally indicted

It is because of these experiences that I am determined to heal and repair my community. I am determined to put ordinary residents back in the Driver’s seat. We will no longer accept a negative peace which is the absence of tension, but will demand a positive peace which is the presence of justice.

I will fight for a $15 living wage, to abolish red light cameras and duplicate tickets. I will demand an elected school and police oversight board. I support a community benefits agreement for the Obama Presidential Center and will work to close the ARO loophole that allows developers to get around affordable housing requirements.

Imagine an Alderman who wasn’t afraid of the community he serves. An Alderman who works to end gun violence in a responsible manner that does not increase mass incarceration. How about an Alderman who put residents first above special interest.

I’m Anthony Driver Jr. and I will be such an Alderman and on February 26th I’m asking for your vote to help me put 20th Ward residents back in the Driver’s Seat.

Candidate Q&A

What is your vision for this office?

To foster greater transparency and inclusiveness in city government and bring marginalized groups into the political process. I seek to put ordinary residents back in the Driver’s Seat and create a 20th Ward that is worthy of its residents calling home.

What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?

I plan to tackle the issues of crime, joblessness, and affordable housing during my tenure as Alderman. I plan to appoint someone full time to oversee a jobs training program run through the alderman office as well as a staff member whose sole job will be surveying vacant properties and, if they are not in use, contacting owners to discuss ways of returning ownership to local residents. Lastly, create a 20th Ward partnership and credit union with the goal of increasing entrepreneurship and access to capital in the Ward.