The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses the following candidates

The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses the following candidates who appear on the February 24, 2015 Chicago Municipal Election. Please join us in our support of them.

City Treasurer

Kurt A. Summers

Kurt A. Summers is a son of Chicago and a pragmatic problem solver who is passionate about serving the people of Chicago. Chicago’s newest City Treasurer is the steward of the city’s $7 billion dollar investment portfolio, responsible for maintaining records and accounts of the city’s finances, and an advocate for programs that promote economic growth and financial literacy. Summers hit the ground running: he has proposed an ambitious and audacious 90-day-plan called “Invest in Our Chicago.” The document is intended to act as a roadmap, focused on leveraging Chicago’s economic power to increase investment in its residents, workers, businesses and neighborhoods.

City Clerk

Susana A. Mendoza

Susana A. Mendoza was sworn in as City Clerk of Chicago on May 16, 2011. She is the first woman ever elected to the Office, one of only three city-wide elected positions. Clerk Mendoza is committed to improving the Office by making it the most technologically savvy, user-friendly and efficient City Clerk’s Office in the country

Aldermen

3rd Ward

Pat Dowell

Since being elected in 2007, Alderman Dowell has had a consistent focus on constituent engagement, community-based development, and transparency. By attending and hosting public meetings, she maintains a regular presence in the Third Ward’s diverse communities to ensure everyone’s interests are represented. Additionally, a monthly newsletter is distributed to keep people informed about important resources and initiatives.

4th Ward

Will Burns

William D. “Will” Burns is currently serving in his first term as 4th Ward Alderman of the City of Chicago. In February 2011, he was elected Alderman of the 4th Ward after being elected two terms for Illinois State Representative for the 26th district. As alderman of the 4th Ward, Burns is committed to attracting quality commercial and residential development, improving neighborhood public schools, enhancing public safety, and increasing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in city operations.

5th ward

Leslie Hairston

A Chicago native and fierce community advocate with deep roots in the South Shore and Hyde Park neighborhoods, Leslie Hairston has built a professional career dedicated to public service. She recently won election to her fourth term as alderman of Chicago’s 5th Ward and sits on six City committees - Economic, Capital & Technology Development (vice chair), Finance; Budget & Government Operations; Committees, Rules & Ethics; Health & Environmental Protection; and Special Events, Cultural Affairs & Recreation.

6th Ward

Roderick Sawyer

Roderick T. Sawyer is currently serving his second term. Sawyer grew up in the 6th ward on the south side of Chicago and is a member of the City Council Committees on Education and Child Development, Human Relations, License and Consumer Protection, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Rules and Ethics. Alderman Sawyer prides himself on being independent and working for what is in the best interest of his community.

7th Ward

Natashia L. Holmes

On February 13, 2013, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Natashia L. Holmes as Alderman of the 7th Ward of the City of Chicago. Alderman Holmes has an extensive background in policy development, data analysis, project management, and outreach to elected officials and community groups. Alderman Holmes holds a B.S. from Alabama State University, College of Education, a Master of Community Planning from Auburn University, College of Architecture, Design and Construction, and a J.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law.

8th Ward

Michelle Harris

Alderman Michelle Harris has a long history of public service in the 8th Ward and Cook County. She has twenty-two years of dedicated public service including being Chief of Staff under former Alderman Lorraine Dixon for 5 years. During her tenure as Chief of Staff she also was liaison to all City of Chicago Departments, as well as liaison to Peoples Gas and Commonwealth Edison for Alderman Dixon. Harris assisted with preparation of the Budget for the City of Chicago, coordinated activities with over 300 block clubs within the 8th Ward, and worked with the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce

9th Ward

Anthony Beale

In 1999, Anthony Beale became the youngest member of the Chicago City Council when he assumed office as Alderman of the 9th Ward. Named the Democratic Ward Committeeman in 2000, and re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011, Alderman Beale is currently the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and the Public Way, the former Chairman of the Committees on Landmarks and Public Safety (Police & Fire).

16th Ward

Toni Foulkes

Alderman Toni Foulkes (15th Ward) is now running for Alderman of the 16th Ward. Her decision to run for the Ward 16 seat was based on district remapping that took place in 2012. In regards to remapping, Foulkes said, “These neighborhoods are my friends, but Englewood is my family. Englewood is the community I was elected to represent in 2007, and I will not abort my African-American community.” A champion of working families, Foulkes is endorsed by Grassroots Illinois Action.

17th Ward

David Moore

David Moore possesses a rare combination of corporate experience, political savvy and passion for progressive change. Through his work as a community organizer and in several campaigns, he has connected with people and issues in every corner of the ward he has resided in for nearly 37 years.

The native Chicagoan spent most of his childhood in the Robert Taylor Homes. Upon completing Simeon Vocational High School, he graduated Western Illinois University with a dual major in accounting and operations management. He earned an MA with emphasis in government studies at Loyola University-Chicago.

18th Ward

Lona Lane

Alderman Lane actively champions issues and laws with potential positive impact to the 18th Ward residents at City Hall and in the community. She presents numerous programs, meetings, information sessions, resource sharing and communications throughout every year. She is tireless and relentless in her pursuit of ‘the best’ for her constituents.

20th Ward

Willie B. Cochran

In 2007, Willie B. Cochran was elected Alderman of the 20th Ward, and in 2008 he was also elected Ward Committeeman. In 2011 he was re-elected to his second term as Alderman of the 20th Ward, and he was also re-elected Ward Committeeman in 2012. His background in business, public service, and organizing, and his degrees in Sociology, Public Administration, and executive training in Staff & Command in Public Safety have proven to be invaluable assets as he serves the public’s interest.

21st Ward

Howard B Brookins, Jr.

Brookins was elected as alderman in 2003. He serves on five committees: Committees, Rules and Ethics; Economic, Capital and Technology Development; Historical Landmark Preservation; Special Events and Cultural Affairs; Traffic Control and Safety.

27th Ward

Walter Burnett

Alderman Walter Burnett works is presently serving his fourth term as alderman of the 27th ward. He is the Chairman of Special Events and Cultural Affairs and a sitting member of seven committees: Budget and Government Operations, Buildings, Committees, Rules and Ethics, Education, Finance, Health, Police and Fire, and the Zoning Reform Board. Burnett attended both Harold Washington College and the University of Illinois at Chicago before earning an Associate Degree and a Certificate in Mechanical Drafting from Southeastern Illinois University.

28th Ward

Jason Ervin

Jason C. Ervin was appointed Alderman of Chicago’s 28th Ward in January 2011 by then Mayor Richard M. Daley and elected to a full term by the people of the 28th Ward in February of 2011.

Ald. Ervin is dedicated to public service and empowering communities through social change and political organizing. In his position as Village Manager of the Village of Maywood, he implemented changes that made government run more efficient and better for residents.

29th Ward

Deborah L. Graham

Graham is a lifelong resident of the Austin Community on Chicago’s West Side and volunteered doing community service with her grandmother. Graham graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris College. She’s a survivor of domestic violence and was a Senior Case Manager at Inner Voice, an organization that helps homeless women who have been abused. She was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2002, and was re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

34th Ward

Carrie M. Austin

Alderman Carrie M. Austin, a 4-term Alderman of Chicago’s 34th Ward on the city’s far southside, was favorably appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley on Thursday, August 5, 1994 to fulfill the unexpired term of her late husband Lemuel Austin. Henceforth, Alderman Austin has carved her own political niche, which has earned her the moniker “Power Broker”. By advocating, “I had rather do and not promise, than promise and not do,” she remains a loyal servant that holds to an obligation to promote and preserve delivery of quality service, accountability and accessibility.

37th Ward

Emma Mitts

The role of an Alderman is to know the needs of his/her Ward and address those needs by connecting the people to the proper resources. No one knows better how to service the needs of the people than Alderman Emma Mitts. For the past six (6) years Alderman Mitts has built a respectable reputation and has garnered the adornment and love of the people of the 37th Ward through her hard work and dedication.

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