State Representative running for Mayor of Chicago
Kambius “Kam” Buckner has announced his candidacy for Mayor
of the city of Chicago. Buckner is currently an Illinois State Representative for the 26th District. PHOTO PROVIDED BY KAM BUCKNER
By Tia Carol Jones
Buckner, in talking to his family, friends, neighbors and colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly concluded, there was a sense the City of Chicago needed more direction. People don’t feel safe, nor do they feel there is a plan for their safety. People don’t feel the school system is going in the right direction, business owners and community residents feel as though they are being left behind.
“My District encompasses a lot of the city, my District is wholly in the city, but many different neighborhoods and socio-economic backgrounds and demographics. I heard it across the board, whether it was Washington Park, or Greater Grand Crossing or River North, people were saying we don’t know what’s next for the city,” Buckner said.
As someone who is from Chicago, who loves the city and was raised in the tradition and spirit of giving back to people, Buckner saw a real opportunity and decided to run for Mayor. He has served in the state, federal and local levels of government, and is aware of the issues that are important to people who need the most help.
Buckner worked for Senator Dick Durbin, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and led World Sports Chicago. He lives in Bronzeville with his family and is the father of a five month old son. He grew up in Roseland and Washington Heights, with his parents and four sisters. He has been a State Representative since 2019 and is the Chair of the Illinois House Black Caucus.
Buckner believes this is his Kairos moment. Everything is converging, his skill set, background and opportunities are meeting with what people need. He wants to bring the city to the next best version of itself. Buckner acknowledges that Mayor of any city is a tough job and Mayor of Chicago isn’t any different. He believes being Mayor of Chicago is the greatest job in American politics.
“What I was able to pick up from folks like Senator Durbin and Mayor Landrieu was that public service is not just noble work, it’s necessary work. We have to be able to do the things that matter to get people a decent quality of life so they can have a chance,” he said, adding that he learned his political work ethic from Durbin and Landrieu. “In a Buckner administration, we are going to be able to listen to all voices from across the city to give people agency and give them the ability to be a part of the solution and have some buy-in.”
Buckner hopes that during his time in the General Assembly he has shown that authenticity matters. He hopes he has been able to show that unconventional problems require unconventional leaders. A wealth of experience and knowledge and background can help bring everyone forward. He has been thinking about who could replace him the in General Assembly.
Buckner was the primary sponsor of HB4383, which was signed into law on Wednesday, May 18th. The legislation bans the sale of ghost guns – unserialized firearms, sold as a set of parts that can be assembled at home. He created the Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Task Force, with HB3932, in 2020. Through the Illinois Black Caucus, Buckner has led the way to bring more dollars to Chicago Public Schools.
Buckner talked to young people during the social justice movement after the murder of George Floyd and he was inspired by them, by the way they mobilized and organized. He described them as the leaders of today. He is very proud of being able to increase the number of high school student’s representation for the Local School Council. He believes the legislation gives the students a seat at the table and agency.
Buckner believes there should be aggressive, unapologetic investment to communities that have experienced disinvestment. He believes those communities should be a priority from decision makers and he has a plan of how to get it done. He wants to ensure that whatever he promises the people of Chicago, he is able to deliver on that promise.
Buckner believes violence in the city didn’t happen in a vacuum, it happened because things were ignored for a long time.
“If we’re serious about violence, if we’re serious about the pandemic, endemic of violence, we have to have the same attitude and say, we have to do everything, nothing is off limits. Let’s do it all, because people deserve that type of effort from their government to give them the ability to live,” he said. “I refuse to believe there isn't an answer. There is an answer. We just have to make ourselves uncomfortable and have the conversation. Then, after the conversation, do the work.”
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