About the Candidate
Name: Jeff Jenkins
DOB: March 2, 1968
Family: Wife ‐ Julie Greenberg ‐ Artistic Director, Midnight Circus in the Parks ‐ not‐for‐profit.
Son ‐ Maxwell Jenkins, 8th grade student at Coonley Elementary, our neighborhood public school.
Daughter ‐ Samantha Jenkins, 6th grade student at Coonley Elementary, our neighborhood public school.
Occupation: Executive Director, Midnight Circus in the Parks (NFP) the citywide non‐profit that brings communities together and raises funds for park improvements and programming.
Senior Dog Trainer, Program Director, Canine Consultant with various animal welfare organizations: The Anti Cruelty Society, Canines & Company and Found. Focus of work is engaging young people through hands on canine programs involving rescued and rehabilitated dogs, and demonstrating/teaching empathy and kindness through positive reinforcement training.
Political Experience: Local School Council Member/Coonley Elementary ‐ 3 Terms, Founding Board Member Raise Your Hand
Action, active w/ Raise Your Hand, GROWCommunity, Friends of Amundsen, North Center
Neighborhood Assoc. Zoning Committee Member, volunteer Chicago Animal Care and Control
Website: jeffjenkins47.com
Candidate Statement
At this pivotal time for our city and state, when we have real challenges, I also see real possibilities.
Now more than ever, we need independent, creative, committed people, with a proven track record of getting things done to step up for our communities and our city.
That is why I am running for Alderman of the 47th Ward.
My wife Julie and I moved into the ward nearly 20 years ago. We bought our first and only home, started our family and opened our small business. Our two kids, Max and Samantha attend Coonley Elementary, our neighborhood public school where I served on the local school council for 6 years and have been leader on education issues citywide.
And I own a circus...
Midnight Circus in the Parks is our citywide non‐profit based in the 47th Ward. We reach nearly 20 thousand people every year all across Chicago and have raised over $1 million dollars for the parks we play.
I truly understand how to navigate the complex logistics of city government, because I’ve been doing it for years.
As alderman, I will be a full time alderman. No conflicts of interest, no side jobs.
I will be present in the ward and fight for big issues like safe streets and holding the line on property taxes, and taking care of smaller things like working streetlights, clean alleys, and delivering infrastructure improvements in an efficient manner.
Because that is the job.
I will work with our local chambers of commerce to champion small businesses, because I am a small business owner, and I know how hard it is.
Every individual, family and of course our seniors are a vital part of the 47th Ward, and my office will be open to each and every one of you.
I’ve spent my entire adult life working to improve my community and my city.
As alderman you can expect no less.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
I will be an alderman whose full time job is to be alderman. I will be present in the ward fighting for big issues, and little things like clean streets and alleys, ensuring streets don’t flood every time it rains, and making sure infrastructure improvements are done in an efficient and timely manner. I will work with local chambers of commerce to champion our small businesses and make sure our ward is a destination of choice for shopping, restaurants and entertainment for visitors across the city.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
The most pressing issue facing people in the ward is affordability. Seniors and other families long established in the ward are worried about being priced out. Young families are worried about affording a home as their family grows. Single men and women worry about the rising cost of living, including their rent. My wife and I moved to this community 20 years ago. Unless things change, we could be forced to leave as well.
As alderman, I will work to expand affordable choices for housing. Specifically, I will fight to increase affordable housing options and require large new developments to include 20% affordable units, up from 10%. I will work to balance the stock of housing options to meet the needs of our diverse 47th Ward residents – from townhouses to transit‐oriented development to two‐flat preservation to allowing coach houses. My interest in and commitment to two‐flat preservation ‐ saving historic buildings by addressing zoning changes ‐ will allow homeowners to generate rental income and will also create more affordable housing units in the ward.
Addressing affordability and diversifying the housing stock in my ward will ensure that longtime residents can continue to call the 47th Ward home, and new families and individuals can afford to move in. This in turn supports our schools and our small business community and allows the 47th Ward to grow, thrive and remain a wonderful community to live, raise a family and retire with dignity and security.
