Candidate Statement
Hello, I am Michelle Harris, Alderman of the 8th Ward – and I am seeking re-election on February 26th 2019.
Over the past twelve years as Alderman, I have advanced in leadership positions in the Chicago City Council
I am the former President Pro Tempore of the Chicago City Council & former Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety.
Currently I am Chairman of the Rules & Ethics Committee, the first African American woman to serve in that position.
I am proud that my re-election campaign for 8th Ward Alderman has been endorsed by over 300 unions under the umbrella of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
As a legislator, with the City Council and working with UNITE HERE LOCAL 1, I sponsored and passed the City’s groundbreaking Hands Off, Pants On Ordinance.
We have broken ground at Gately Park for a 57 million dollar Track and Field Facility. It will be the first-of-its-kind, not only in Chicago, but in Illinois, with a state-of-the-art hydraulic track.
I worked with my state legislative partners to restart and complete the 37 million dollar Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Center at Olive Harvey College.
I have expanded educational and job training opportunities with 57 million dollars of improvements at CVCA High School and funded 110 million dollars to build the new South Shore International College Prep.
I am a strong advocate for seniors and have worked with AARP on legislative issues. In addition, I have brought over 90 million dollars and resources to build new senior housing in the 8th Ward.
I have also worked very closely with my faith-based community, to bring economic development and job training opportunities for the 8th Ward, with projects like Trinity United Church of Christ’s Imani Village, anchored by the Advocate Healthcare Outpatient Center, as well as Apostolic Church of God in Christ, and the Bishop Arthur M. Brazier Foundation to bring the Robotics Training Center to the 8th Ward.
I am honored to represent this community and I would love the opportunity to continue the work that I have started.
