MAYOR MAKES SOUTH SIDE ALDERMAN A CITY HALL BOSS

Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) is the new chairman of the City Council’s budget committee thus making her one of City Hall’s most powerful black women. Photo credit: Courtesy of Alderman Pat Dowell
Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) is the new chairman of the City Council’s budget committee thus making her one of City Hall’s most powerful black women. Photo credit: Courtesy of Alderman Pat Dowell

Mayor makes South Side alderman a City Hall Boss

BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer

She may not be the most powerful black woman at City Hall but with her recent appointment as chairman of the City Council’s budget committee, South Side Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) is among the new political bosses downtown.

Next to the finance committee, which is considered by many City Hall insiders as the most powerful city committee, Dowell takes the helm of the second most powerful committee.

In 2018, Dowell served as a member of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s gubernatorial transition’s Job Creation and Economic Opportunity Committee and also as a member of the City Council’s housing and real estate, transportation and the public way, landmarks, rules and health committees.

The former deputy commissioner of planning for the city earned a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology from the University of Rochester (New York) and a master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

In fact, the City Council has 18 committees chaired by black aldermen, seven whites and two Hispanics. And besides Dowell, the other eight black chairmen are Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), contracting oversight and equity; Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), license; Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), transportation; Ald. Michael Scott (24th), education; Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), health and human services; Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), public safety; Ald. Michelle Harris (8th), rules; and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), traffic. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who appoints all committee chairs, broke away from tradition and did not make appointments based on seniority.

“Chicago residents are excited for change, and that includes making City Council more responsive and accountable, which we’ve started by shaking up our committees and chairmanships,” Lightfoot told the Citizen. “We still have a long way to go, but I am proud of the first steps we’ve taken in creating a city that is stronger, more fair, and more prosperous for all Chicagoans.”

As the city’s first, black female mayor, Lightfoot said she couldn’t be happier to have Dowell as part of her leadership team.

“I am excited to work with her in this new era of transparency and integrity in city government. As one of the council’s most senior members, Alderman Dowell brings both a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role of budget chairwoman,” added Lightfoot. “Importantly, Alderman Dowell and I share a vision for opening up the budgetary process in a more transparent way to ensure that ordinary Chicagoans can see how their hard earned tax dollars are spent and weigh in on spending priorities.”

The appointment caught Dowell, whose ward includes Englewood, Bronzeville and the South Loop, by surprise.

“You can’t turn the mayor down, so I am taking on this challenge,” said Dowell.

“One goal I have is to make sure the public has a better understanding about how the budget process works. I want to find new ways to eliminate waste and achieve savings within the city’s budget.”

Dowell will have her first committee meeting in July and added she is excited to hit the ground running.

“Among the duties of this committee is to work with the mayor to present a balanced budget to the City Council to review, and to make suggestions on how to close budget gaps when needed,” she said. “That’s why I have solicited suggestions from my colleagues on how to make the budget process more transparent and I look forward to reviewing their ideas.”

For the past 12 years Dowel has been third ward alderman after defeating former Ald. Dorothy Tillman in 2007.

Previously, Austin chaired the budget committee, but will now oversee areas such as procurement, aviation and veterans in her new role as chair of the newly created committee.

Since being appointed by former Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2007, Austin has chaired the budget committee and is now the second longest serving alderman with 25 years of service. Alderman Edward Burke (14th), who most recently chaired the finance committee, is the longest serving alderman with 50 years of service.

In 1994, Daley appointed Austin as 34th Ward alderman after her late husband, Ald. Lemuel Austin, died. After completing his unexpired term, she ran for re-election and has been re-elected five times. She also serves as the Democratic Committeeman for the 34th Ward.

“If Ald. Dowell needs my help, she knows she can call me. I have always helped people because that is what I do as a public servant,” said Austin. “Heading up any committee has its challenges and certainly the budget committee is no exception. What you do as budget chairman is closely watched by the mayor and voters so it’s important that you make smart choices.”

As a mother of seven and grandmother of 29, Austin said her work as alderman is almost done.

“I am going to work in this term for the betterment of my constituents and all Chicagoans, and at the end of this term, if there’s more work to be done, then I will run for re-election,” explained Austin. “But if not, retirement is something I would absolutely consider. This would allow me to spend more time with my grandchildren.”

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