Candidate for Chicago City Treasurer

About the Candidate

Name: Ameya Pawar
DOB: April 22, 1980
Family: My wife Charna and I have a daughter, Sigalit
Occupation: Alderman, 47th Ward
Political Experience: I have served as the alderman of the 47th Ward on Chicago’s north side since 2011. When I was reelected in 2015, I took 82% of the vote, which was the largest margin of victory in the election cycle. As alderman, I have focused my legislative efforts around social justice, worker rights, and economic justice, and have led on 12 major pieces of legislation, including tax-increment financing reform as well as legislation guaranteeing earned sick time, combatting wage theft, and protecting and preserving single-room occupancy housing units for Chicago's most vulnerable. It is also a distinct honor to be the first Indian-American and Asian American elected to the Chicago City Council.
Website: pawarforchicago.com

Candidate Statement

My name is Ameya Pawar, and I’m running to be your next city treasurer. I’m running to enact a bold progressive agenda to harness the power of 2.7 million Chicagoans and invest in our neighborhoods and each other. And I’m asking for your support.

Now, you might remember me from my run for governor in the Democratic primary in 2018, or from my current work serving as alderman of the 47th Ward on Chicago’s North Side.

I was the first Indian-American and Asian American elected to the City Council, and I’ve focused my legislative efforts around social justice, workers rights and economic justice.

I’m proud to have led on 12 major pieces of legislation, to raise the minimum wage, guarantee earned sick time, combat wage theft, and preserve housing that is affordable for Chicago's most vulnerable.

With the federal government in gridlock and the White House leading an attack on our values, local elected offices, like that of the Treasurer, can step up and fight back.

As treasurer, I’ll work to shore up Chicago’s economic health, so we have the resources we need to address the looming pension crisis and the city’s debt obligations. And I’ll focus on addressing income inequality, and supporting a Green New Deal to combat climate change and prepare for its effect on our city and our communities.

I'm running for treasurer to do just that.

I’ll make sure we secure our investments, align them with our values, and rebuild our neighborhoods.

Please join me. I ask for your vote on February 26.

You can learn more, sign up to get involved, or get in touch with me at pawarforchicago.com.

Thank you!

Candidate Q&A

What is your vision for this office?

I’m running to be your next City Treasurer of Chicago because our fight towards equity and fairness has just begun. Now is the time to go big. The City of Chicago holds billions in investments. Together, we as Chicagoans have the capacity to ensure our public dollars are used to boost our communities and families. There is so much we can achieve together. We can start by launching a people’s public bank and loan capital to expand neighborhood businesses, finance affordable housing, fund new infrastructure, and refinance student loans to help Chicagoans stay in the city while attracting new ones, reversing a decades long population decline. We can reform our investment strategy by reducing fees sent to Wall Street and and create a Chicago Earned Income Tax Credit to direct those savings right to working families. And we can advance racial and economic justice by driving dollars into communities ignored by decades of disinvestment.

What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?

The biggest issue I see playing out in communities across Chicago is fighting for equity in a 21st century economy. Fundamental changes in our economy are forcing us to address inequality of income and opportunity. Chicago needs a City Treasurer with the skills and experience to serve not only as the City’s financial watchdog, but also as the chief investment officer—one who ensures residents’ money is being used to the max benefit of all Chicagoans. That means not only protecting investments and principal but also finding creative ways to use that money for the direct benefit of all Chicagoans through reinvestment and essential programs.

Central to this concern is developing innovative and effective ways to maximize the public assets of the City to best benefit the people of Chicago in a sustainable manner. An example of this would be tackling the student debt crisis to ensure that all Chicagoans have an economically vibrant future.

As the fiduciary for the city investments, the City Treasurer must ensure the wellbeing of residents and their dollars. The way we address inequality is by seeing the connection between these things.