The Village of Hazel Crest President is running for Cook County 5th District Commissioner seat
Vernard Alsberry, president of the Village of Hazel Crest, is a candidate for the 5th District Cook County Commissioner seat. Photo provided by Vernard Alsberry
Vernard Alsberry, Jr., has been the President of the Village of Hazel Crest for almost nine years. Now, he is seeking a new position, as the Cook County Commissioner representing the 5th District. In October 2021, the 5th District Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims announced that after 27 years in the position she would not seek re-election.
Alsberry, who grew up in Altgeld Gardens on the city’s South Side, remembers when Wilson Frost came to speak to his community. What Frost said always stuck with Alsberry, “opportunity is like a big grease ball and if you don’t grab it and hold on to it with your arms and your legs and you let it slip away, it may never come again.” When opportunities came in Alsberry’s life, he took advantage of them and it made a difference in his life.
Being in the military, Alsberry learned to be involved in the communities where he was stationed. Each time he moved, he engaged with those communities. That desire to engage with communities continued when he went into civilian life. He became involved in non-profit organizations.
Alsberry began his political career as an elected official in Hazel Crest serving as a trustee for eight years. He described running for the President of the Village as a natural progression, as the community was transitioning from a majority white population to a majority Black population. He wanted to be involved in the transitional process. The first time he ran, he lost by 13 votes. The next time he ran, he won.
Hazel Crest is a community of more than 14,000 people. His time as the President of Hazel Crest has been exciting. He has been able to, with his board, get a lot done. He credits the board with supporting his efforts.
“I have a board, and I’ve had one for the last eight years, that has worked with me, and we’ve been able to accomplish so much across the board and by connecting with other communities,” he said. “Because, we understand it’s not just the small town of Hazel Crest that makes the difference, you have to have relationships with neighboring town like Markham, Homewood and Country Club Hills. In the South Suburbs we’re separated by one street … therefore it’s important to be able to build those relationships.”
Alsberry has been able to build relationship with other municipalities, as well as on the State and Federal level. Those relationships are important as the Southland’s economic development opportunities expand. Alsberry wants to be able to make a difference, not just where he lives in Hazel Crest but on the South Side of Chicago, where he grew up.
In 2018, the South Suburban Hospital built a $98 million surgical center in Hazel Crest. In 2019, Hazel Crest opened a new Village Hall. Alsberry credits those accomplishments with him being part of the community and being able to build relationships.
Relationship building is an important aspect of being a Cook County Commissioner. Alsberry estimates more than $1 billion will come through the County and it will be imperative for the next 5th District Commissioner to know how to disperse that money out to the Southland equitably.
“I think I’m uniquely qualified because of my relationships, because I understand the City and the Suburbs. I have the relationships to make sure things move and when things come forward, I understand what they’re talking about. I understand how to move those dollars, I understand the needs of the mayors in our region, which is very important. I understand the needs of the elected officials in the City of Chicago who are also part of the 5th District,” he said.
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