About the Candidate
Name: Cynthia Bednarz
DOB: June 26, 1970
Family: Husband Greg, 2 daughters, Dog, Cat, Bird and Fish
Occupation: Real estate broker
Political Experience: I am a 27th Ward homeowner and neighborhood leader since 2000. I am a mother of two Chicago Public Schools children. I am an activist for women’s rights as I attended the January 2017 Women’s March in Washington D.C. and have supported many other progressive political causes. I have not run for political office before.
Website: cynthiabednarz.com
Candidate Statement
My name is Cynthia Bednarz. I was born in Chicago. I am a twenty year resident of the 27th Ward. I’m running to be the next Alderman of the 27th Ward.
I attended Northern Illinois University, and received my MBA at Loyola University Chicago.
I’m blessed with a wonderful husband of twenty years and two daughters who attend CPS schools. We have a dog, a bird, and a fish. We also share a cat with our next door neighbor.
I have been actively involved in my community throughout my twenty-year residence. I entered this race when my neighbors and other members of the 27th Ward asked me to be their voice in City Council. I am honored and deeply humbled by their confidence in me.
During my service as alderman of 27th Ward, I will be committed to a City Council that is transparent and accountable to my constituents.
The incumbent, Mr. Walter Burnett, Jr., has a 100% voting record with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Mr. Burnett is complicit, with the Mayor, in raising our property taxes by $586 million. Mr. Burnett voted against:
-a publicly elected school board, and
-Inspector General oversight on Edward Burke’s $100M Workers’ Compensation Program
The consequences of these and other failed policies include:
-Unfair and imbalanced education system
-high unemployment, particularly with youth in Black and Brown communities,
-unfair taxes and gentrification
No one should have to worry about losing their home to unfair taxes, or being displaced by gentrification.
During my service as Alderman, I will advocate/support/initiate:
-Fair property taxes and affordable housing.
-Jobs to the Ward by promoting small business investments, job training, and insist that city projects hire local residents.
-a publicly-elected CPS board, reopening mental health services, measures to reduce crime and violence in our communities.
With your vote, I would like to usher in a time where the corruption ends and the needs and voices of people across the Ward are no longer overlooked. I’m Cynthia Bednarz and I’m asking for your vote to be the next Alderman of the 27th Ward.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
My vision for this office is to create a responsive collaborative government office that works together with residents and businesses of the 27th Ward to create community focused prosperity throughout the entire ward.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
The demographics of the Ward vary greatly so to narrow it down to one issue is difficult. One of the main issues however is the affordability of housing. Across our Ward people have been negatively impacted by property tax increases. I would support a freeze on property taxes while working with the cook county assessor to help residents be sure that their taxes are being assessed fairly and they are receiving all of the exemptions they are eligible for. I would also focus on bringing more affordable housing to all areas of the Ward and work with management companies of existing affordable housing to make sure that the current supply is safe and healthy.
