About the Candidate
Name: Chuks Onyezia
DOB: Dec. 5, 1977
Family: Six years happily married, with a 4-year-old son
Occupation: Attorney
Political Experience: Former Aldermanic Chief of Staff City Council, Democratic Committeeman Volunteer
Website: chuksforalderman.com
Candidate Statement
My name is Chuks Onyezia and I'm a community advocate and problem solver running for 18th Ward Alderman. I'm running because I believe in the possibility of a community that works, learns, and thrives together. Today our 18th Ward is disconnected from the rest of the city, and our neighbors are missing out on many of the opportunities and benefits living in the city provides.
As alderman, I will modernize our ward communications structure. Currently, we don't have a functional system for delivering Ward information, where residents can submit service requests, receive follow-ups, and find information that can benefit our daily lives. I will make my ward office an aggregator of information like city grant opportunities, job postings, and free public events so that neighbors can easily access the things we need.
Our ward has lacked the leadership necessary to leverage our strengths, spur future development, and to advance our community. I plan to utilize my experience as a real estate attorney, small business owner, and city council veteran to help lead our 18th ward to a more sustainable and bright future.
One of the most important things to me is that 18th Ward voters have a valuable and viable choice on the ballot. To this end, I've been working over the last few years to demonstrate my abilities as Alderman. I've hosted community visioning sessions, property tax workshops, summer internships for local youth, and even launched an independent website to provide hyper-local news to our 18th Ward neighbors. These events and services provide 18th Ward voters proof of my skills and ingenuity. All I ask is that you take a look at what I've done and weigh it against the services we currently receive. I'm confident you'll see there's no better option for our community.
I'm Chuks Onyezia, and if you believe in the possibility of a stronger 18th Ward, then cast your vote this February, for CHUKS ONYEZIA as our next 18th ward Alderman!
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
I want to build an Aldermanic office that serves the people by increasing their access and awareness of city opportunities like grants, job fairs, and a free public events. From grants to weatherize your home, to movies in the park, Chicago has a lot to offer residents, and people in my community are out of the loop. I plan to achieve this vision by modernizing the wards communication systems and being more accessible to constituents. We also need to improve constituent services. It’s the simple things, ensuring Street lights shine, trees are trimmed, and requests for service are answered. Our ward will benefit from a greater level of constituent services.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
Communication and connectivity. A lack of economic development is hindering our community from growing and thriving in a new era. In the last five years several anchor businesses have left the ward, and the spaces remain empty. This makes no sense considering that we are conveniently located steps from Midway airport, a Metra one stop away from union station, freight train exchange, industrial space, public parks with golf courses, forest preserves, malls, and a City of Chicago community college. Our community has the material for development, we need to direct it and facilitate it.
