2023 Chicago Election Voter Guide

"I want my newborn daughter to live in a community that is safe, sustainable, healthy, and stable for all of its residents. This can be accomplished not only by how we police our neighborhoods but also how we invest in the resources they need and deserve."

"I know from my history organizing that listening to all in our community and working to build consensus is what delivers better outcomes for all of us. That’s what our communities deserve."

"My safety and security plan includes many items that I achieved, side by side with the community, when I was Alderman."

"I believe that 1st Ward residents deserve a more effective leader, a better advocate, and a representative who can bring the community together."

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"My experience and knowledge of the issues facing the community gives me a unique opportunity of being able to make a lot of positive changes affecting public safety, education and affordable housing."

"For the past 20 years, I’ve lived a life of service to the Fourth Ward. In doing so, I’ve built a reputation as a leader who can execute, and a strategic thinker who is collaborative by nature."

"My experience and relationships will allow me to bring the resources to develop commercial corridors, preserve affordable housing, and invest in the success of our youth."

"I am running to ensure the Fourth Ward has quality schools, increased public safety, and quality, affordable housing stock, and continued public transportation and infrastructure improvements."

"My candidacy personifies a qualified citizen ready to come off the sidelines to work for and with the people to keep our communities safe. I will work to foster good business development, schools, and access to jobs." 

"I love my community. I live in Greater Grand Crossing and I want to serve my community. I am present, I listen and advocate for the voiceless."

"I want what I think all residents of the 5th Ward want; to be able to walk down the street and feel safe, to put my children to bed without hearing gunshots, to shop, eat, and be entertained in my own neighborhood." 

"Running for "betterment of the ward and to include those that have been locked out in the decision-making."

"I believe my unique personal background will allow me to represent all of the 5th Ward effectively on day one. The 5th Ward is a diverse and complex ward. It is also a microcosm of the City. I embody that microcosm."

"The next Alder of the Fifth Ward must be able to shape transformational change in a way that puts community first; addresses our rising housing costs; and heals our collective trauma. I am committed to putting community first. Always."

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"With years of community organizing experience, I understand what it takes to increase community engagement while developing and maintaining strategic relationships with community stakeholders."

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"The 5th Ward needs an Alderperson who can effectively fill a void that will be created when the current 24-year incumbent steps down."

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"I am running because I want to see my community get to the next level of increasing our quality of life. We have public safety issues that have rocked our citizenry. We have a declining tax base with a number of vacant properties."

"We believe in Chatham, its values, opportunities, and sense of belonging.  But we need the city to respond to our demands for safer streets, more neighborhood shopping, sit-down restaurants, and a good quality of life."

"As a teacher, I have experienced the painful impact of disinvestment on my students and their families. Being a teacher forces me to see the realities of our community."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"The sixth ward is my home. It is the only home I know in Chicago. This is where I have lived all of my life. I see change coming. I want to be a part of it."

"I am running because I am a concerned wife and mother that believes in public service. I am ready to serve the residents of the 6th Ward and be their voice in City Council."  

"The 6th ward has needs that have to be addressed in our education system, the supervised recreation of our youth and economic opportunities for our adults. From transportation to developing businesses within the ward, that is my only commitment to seeking the position of alderwoman."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I'm running for 6th Ward Alderman because I have a plan to stabilize our community and the unmatched policy expertise to resurrect the 6th Ward as a shining example of middle-class greatness."

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"I care enough to want to change the community that raised me. I am running because I no longer recognize my community."  

"My ward and the far south region are deserving of the right to thrive. For decades, we have survived oppressive leadership and we’re long overdue for a fight that will motivate our people to fight back."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I am a lifelong resident of the ward, third generation and I've seen the decline of the ward, and with my unique background in public service, I feel as though I have created a skillset that will be the best for this constituency — my peers and family."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I feel that my experience as a Chicago police officer gives me a strong perspective on addressing the crime in the area.  As an attorney, I understand how to navigate the system and negotiate to obtain resources for our community."

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"I think we need somebody who’s working class, not only to represent this area but to put the needs of working people first in Chicago’s government."

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"I’m running to continue serving as the alderman of the 11th Ward because there is still so much to do. I’ve brought a fresh perspective to the office and have shown residents the kind of alderman I am and will continue to be if elected."

"As a High School Civics teacher my life revolves around staying informed, teaching about good government, how to positively get involved in our communities, and finding solutions to the problems that plague our neighborhoods."

"With the experience I obtained during several diverse positions in my life, my knowledge, integrity, honesty and commitment to my community, I believe I would be an asset to the people of the 11th Ward and City of Chicago as Alderman."

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"I am running for alderwoman to bring a vision of a thriving 12th ward to reality. For too long, city leadership has disinvested in our Southwest Side communities."

"I am running in order to ensure that residents of the 12th Ward have safe streets, well-funded schools, opportunities for jobs and business growth, and clean air and parks."

"I am a champion of the 13th Ward, and under my leadership, the 13th Ward is thriving. Every decision I make is based on what my constituents need."

"We have a public corruption problem here in the 13th Ward, and I want to fix it. "

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"I am seeking reelection because the 15th Ward needs steady, common-sense leadership that knows how to unite diverse communities around shared goals of safety, city investment, and economic opportunity."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

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"Based on my experience, I can devise and elaborate an effective vision for improving economic development in the short and long-term in the 16th Ward."

"We must continue the progress our ward has made under my leadership, particularly in overcoming historic forces of disinvestment and discrimination."

"I’m running for office of 16th Ward Alderperson to ensure my family and other families can enjoy a safer, healthier and cleaner community living. I’m running for Alderperson in the 16th Ward, because I’m tired paying for city services that I’m not accurately receiving."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

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"I am led by my faith to create the world in which I want to live — a world free of oppression and rich in opportunities and peace. I have surveyed my community and I know that we deserve more to ensure that the 18th Ward is a safe and connected community."

"We are in a very divisive place right now, in our ward, our city and our country. My goal as alderman is to unite our neighborhoods."

"I chose to run for Alderman because I wanted to make sure that my kids had the same close knit, strong, engaged community to grow up in that I did."

"My candidacy is premised on the need for leadership in our ward. I am prepared to address the issues we face in our ward and our city and speak out against policies that fail our communities."

"I'm running to finish the job that we started in 2019."

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"My run for Chicago Alderman of the 21st ward is simple, first, I want to focus on keeping our neighborhood safe, by providing our police and first responders with the support, technology and tools needed to efficiently and effectively perform their duties."

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"I am running for alderperson because our ward needs leadership that places the power of the seat back in the hands of the people who elect them."

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"I am running to continue the effort to improve the quality of life of working class people in the city of Chicago."

"I am running this year because we need a truly independent voice in the City Council. Indictment after indictment shows the regular way of doing city politics does not work for the residents of the city."

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"I am running because no elected office has such a direct impact on the quality-of-life issues that working families face every day."

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"The 24th Ward is finally getting the city services and the economic development  it deserves.  Our community need a strong, transparent leader to serve with experience and a legacy of service to get the job done."

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"I am running because I believe I'm the best fit to serve as 24th Ward alderman. I have the fire and passion along with the fresh ideas that are needed to move my community forward."

"I plan to have a transparent calendar. An office that is welcoming to all visitors. I plan on holding regular ward meeting across the ward to communicate to all constituents."

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"I am running for a 2nd time because the 24th Ward is in urgent need of new leadership."

"I am running for re-election for the same reason I ran in 2019 — the working people of the 25th Ward have overcome decades of corruption, displacement, and disinvestment while fighting to preserve their communities, their schools, and their cultural fabric."

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"I am running because I believe it is time that we develop a new political paradigm, one where ethics and co-governance is the norm."

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"I have represented the residents of the 29th ward and city with integrity and a directed agenda to reduce violence in the 29th ward and economically develop the ward."

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"I am running to bring transparent and responsive representation and to improve the day-to-day life of residents of the 30th Ward and the City of Chicago."

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"We have an exciting opportunity for a newly drawn ward to finally have thoughtful, energetic and honest representation."

"I am running for Alderperson of the 30th Ward to bring a people-first vision, transparency, accountability, and the community’s voice to the ward office and City Council."

"My passion is to be a public servant to the community, not a political figure. To serve to my fullest potential to make the 31st Ward a place residents can be proud to raise their families and work to provide them with a good quality of life."

“As a veteran with military experience and a caring community member, who always served it regardless of what my status simply because I believe it’s my duty, I know I can make a difference and bring a change for our community.”

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"I am running for re-election because I am proud of the work I have been able to accomplish in my first term and because I believe there is still more to do."

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"I am running to build stronger and safer communities in Chicago and the 34th Ward. My broad set of skills and experiences make me well-suited to serve my community well."

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"I am running to disrupt the status-quo “good ol' boy” network that uses public funds for personal gains and corporate donors. I want to establish a functional public service office that delivers high-quality public service to all."

"Although we have made great strides over the past few years, the matter of public safety and police intervention still needs to be addressed. Getting more properly trained and accountable police officers on the streets, as well as establishing more non-violence programs, will help reduce gun violence."

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"One of the fundamentals responsibility of government is to ensure the safety of its people. If we can’t do that then we have failed as a society and as a city."

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"I enjoy creating new environments for emerging and existing business entrepreneurship to thrive. When I am re-elected, I will use my extensive experience to move our community forward to be the safe, welcoming, equitable place we all deserve in the 37th Ward."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

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"Communication between the constituency and the alderperson's office is seriously lacking. I plan on fixing this by committing to a 48-hour response time to all calls, emails or texts. I did this as chief of staff in the 30th Ward and know I will do it as alderperson."

"To address the city's revenue issues we need to build a strong tax base that can only come from allowing better land use."

"Once people feel safe and the criminals know that they will face consequences, people will feel safer and we will attract business to the city and our neighborhoods. I am a big supporter of police, education and business."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

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"We have the choice to do something today that can change the Chicago of tomorrow or we can return to business as usual, a strategy that isn’t working now and that fails us a little more each day."

"I spent a lot of my first term as alderman combatting the pandemic’s effects on families, communities, and businesses. We rose to meet the moment, but there was so much more planned for our public spaces in my first term that I am excited to reprioritize."

"I am also proud to have been an integral part in the passage of the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) Ordinance, which established the most progressive Civilian Oversight Board in the nation."

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"I'm running because I have always been active in the 40th Ward, helping neighbors with quality of life issues and collaborating with them to find solutions."

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"The current alderman has proven largely incapable of achieving results for ward residents and passing legislation at City Council. The office needs to be more responsive to constituent concerns, more available, and more willing to put in the work to bring resources back to the 41st Ward."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I am a strong advocate for more affordable housing in the city of Chicago and specifically in the 43rd Ward, in order to create a future where the teachers, waiters, nurses and other people who work in the ward can afford to live here too."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I want to use my experience in government on behalf of my community."

"The first thing I would prioritize in taking over the office would be standing up for our ward’s small businesses. I think an alderman has the responsibility of having the back of our small business owners in disputes with the city or out of town landlords."

"Crime is clearly the top concern amongst my community. As alderperson I will push for more investments in youth prevention programs, introduce stronger ordinances against violent crimes, increase training modules for officers, and focus on recruitment/cadet retention."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"My priorities are fostering economic growth and ensuring sustainable economic development in the 44th Ward and the broader Lakeview community."

"Our city is at a crossroads, and we must address our most critical issues such as safety, school enrollment, tax burdens, mass transit utilization, and harmful drinking water."

"Community relations with the current office has been eroded. The public lacks confidence in the office. I have a plan to bring back mechanisms to restore community input and participation."

"I am running again to build on projects and community partnerships that we have established to bring quality city services, economic growth and safe neighborhoods to the 45th Ward."

"For years I’ve been an organizer fighting outside and often against the political system in Chicago; now I want to continue that same fight from inside City Hall."

"The city should reopen the mental health centers the Emanuel administration closed and further expand centers in every community where the need is greatest."

"We can and must do much more to attract businesses and create jobs while improving safety in our communities, the quality of our schools, and access to city services."

"Growing up in this ward, and having family in the neighborhood for over 80 years, I come to the office of alderperson with existing deep relationships all across this ward and city and experience being a connector and navigating getting people the services they need."

"The diversity of the 46th Ward is what makes it special. We need to ensure that as we keep moving the ward forward and growing that we don’t leave anyone behind."

"We need elected leaders who take ownership of their residents’ public safety concerns, articulate a vision for the future, and work with various agencies and departments to ensure successful results."

"We need to address the various building blocks that allow a person to feel secure and to flourish, including housing, mental health services, good jobs, and health care access."

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"It’s important we prioritize climate change resilience in our infrastructure development and improve our interior green spaces."

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"As an organizer, I also know it is not enough just to know what the right solution is: we need leaders who are bold and unafraid to take action."

"From day one, I will create transparent, accessible participatory budgeting and community zoning processes so that 48th Ward residents have a say in our ward’s decisions."

"The preservation and creation of new permanent affordable housing has been my life’s work for the past 16 years. I have a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully finance, build, and maintain affordable housing." 

"I see daily how our local level of government and an effective and pragmatic alderman can truly affect the lives of our neighbors and community. Being this conduit between city government and our community is why I want to be able to serve the 48th Ward as Alderperson."

"Create more jobs — that's the best deterrent to crime. We can easily create jobs right now in composting, community gardens, urban agriculture, building new park lands on brown fields especially on the South and West sides of Chicago."

"As an Assistant Illinois Attorney General, I have kept Illinoisans safe by fighting to protect regulations that keep firearms off our streets, litigating to protect public health, and investigating fraud and misconduct by recipients of government funds."

"When elected, I will be the first queer woman of color to represent the 48th ward, and the first Filipina elected to our city council. We are long overdue for an alderperson who represents the diversity of our ward."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"I will use my unique perspective as an entrepreneur who has worked in government to streamline licensing, zoning and permitting. We must cut red tape and make sure information on opening a business is easily available, updated, and accurate." 

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"I've been a lead sponsor for Bring Chicago Home, which would create a dedicated source of funds for homelessness prevention in the city, and a tireless advocate to increase resources for permanent supportive housing and city staffing to address the crisis of homelessness."

Did not participate in the WTTW Voter Guide.

"Public safety is vital and must have current information rather than just monthly CAPS meetings or monthly conversations with the commander."

"There are three key roles that aldermen play: 1. Delivering timely and responsive constituency services; 2. Working on legislation; 3. Actively conducting civic engagement. The current administration has unfortunately been disappointing on all three fronts."

"We serve as great advocates for driving investment from the City - we get things done. We're also tremendously responsive to local issues."