About the Candidate
Name: Katie Sieracki
DOB: Jan. 10, 1980
Family: Husband E.J. and two children who attend CPS elementary schools
Occupation: Managing Director of Summits, Endeavor Business Media
Political Experience: Advance Director for Ameya Pawar’s Gubernatorial Campaign, Advance Team Lead for Daniel Biss’ Gubernatorial Campaign
Website: katie2019.com
Candidate Statement
Hi! My name is Katie Sieracki and I’m running for Alderman of the 33rd Ward because we deserve so much better. We deserve better than a city council where corruption is tolerated and conflicts of interest are completely legal. We are tired of families being priced out of their homes because of high property taxes or rapid rent increases. We are ready for an alderman that will work with the people of the ward and not cater to powerful special interests.
I’ve been bringing people together for years--my job is to help city leaders from across the country come together to solve some of our most pressing issues. And that’s exactly what we need. It’s time to raise up the voices of those who have been shut out of the political process by machine politicians. I will bring accessibility and transparency to City Hall. Access shouldn’t be the luck of the draw. Every person, every family should have equal access to city services and a say in how those services are provided.
I’ll start by hosting pop-up ward offices in each neighborhood, bringing aldermanic services directly to constituents. I'll extend hours and have availability on weekends so that families can get the help they need without taking time off work. But the job extends beyond that: as alderman, I'll have a responsibility to the City as well.
I’ll work to improve public safety and rebuild trust in our institutions by putting forward real reforms with effective oversight. I’ll fight for an elected school board so parents can have a voice in their child’s education and make sure every school has a full-time nurse and social worker. I’ll boldly push for a more sustainable city by boosting renewable energy and dramatically improving our abysmal recycling rate.
It’s time we had an active (not just present) voice in city council. It’s time to put an end to the old way of doing things in Chicago. It’s time that we, the people, had a real say in what happens next. I’m Katie Sieracki, and I’m running to be the next alderman of the 33rd ward.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
For the last four decades, my ward has been represented by two people: Dick Mell and his daughter, Deb Mell. A lot has changed in the city during those four decades, and with the wide-open mayoral race in 2019, a lot more will change this year. The 33rd Ward needs a new alderman to bring transparency to the way the city does business, and to ensure that new voices are heard.
In my business, I have worked with municipal leaders from all over the country—bringing them together to discuss common challenges and find solutions for their cities. What I learned is that we need to bring a broad set of voices and work together to decide how to develop our neighborhoods, how to prioritize city services and budget spending, and how to address the fiscal challenges we face in the next twenty years. Connecting our neighborhoods and building community and trust is something you can expect from me as Alderman of the 33rd Ward.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
The 33rd Ward faces a number of issues that compound with one another to create significant near-term and strategic challenges for the people of my community. I believe that the job of the alderman is to make the ward a thriving, safe, and dynamic place for all residents. We can make this a reality in three ways. By strengthening our schools, by creating a greener, more sustainable city, and by preserving the character of the ward.
I’ll advocate for an elected representative school board, make sure that each neighborhood school has funding for a nurse, librarian, and social worker; and ensure that special education services are accessible and equitable across the ward and beyond.
I’ll support a greener city by requiring the use of renewable energy in all city buildings, promote the use of solar panels, increase recycling and making the blue cart program efficient and effective, promote composting, and ensure safe, lead-free drinking water for all Chicago residents—work I’ve already begun in the 33rd Ward.
Finally, I’ll work to preserve the character of our community as a culturally, racially, and economically diverse area by making it a safe and thriving place to live. I’ll remove bureaucratic barriers to small businesses, ensure long-term residents aren’t priced out of their homes, create a program to preserve owner-occupied 2-4 flats as a source of affordable apartments, and rebuild trust between the police and our community. Together, we will foster a ward where people want to live, work, and play.
