Candidate For Illinois State Representative Wants To Expand Impact On Community

Joseph Williams is running for Illinois State Representative for the 6th District which covers communities on the South, West and North sides of the city of Chicago. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOSEPH WILLIAMS.
Joseph Williams is running for Illinois State Representative for the 6th District which covers communities on the South, West and North sides of the city of Chicago. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOSEPH WILLIAMS.

 Candidate For Illinois State Representative Wants To Expand Impact On Community

By Tia Carol Jones

Joseph Williams is running for the Sixth District Illinois State Representative seat. Williams is the Founder and Executive Director of Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club and a member of the Chicago Police District Councils for the 7th Police District.

The Sixth District stretches from Greater Grand Crossing to Bridgeport to the Loop and the Near West side. There are nine Aldermanic Wards within the 6th District.

Williams graduated with a criminal justice degree from Chicago State University in 2023. Williams has impacted thousands through his work with his nonprofit organization. When it comes to him wanting to run for Illinois Legislature, he said it is because he wants to be able to impact more people utilizing more resources.

“We can really expand the horizon for so many folks in our community, for our Alderman, who can receive state funding to do the work they need to do, for organizations and businesses, really putting the groundwork in to see how we can come back and support our community in a better way,” he said.

Williams believes his work in the community has shown that he is able to make an impact in the community and is the best candidate for Illinois State Representative in the Sixth District. He is out in the community and wants to be able to support the community on a larger scale. Williams wants to represent the entire Sixth District. He wants to be able to connect young people from the communities to the resources and spaces within the District. He also wants to give hope back to the community and let them know someone is there to serve them.

Through his experience, Williams understands the importance of accountability. He wants to develop boards that represent the people throughout the communities in the District, as a way to hear from the constituents and have them bring him their concerns. He also wants to make sure his office is on the frontlines and is aware of things that are going on in the community.

Williams has been on the frontlines, going to Springfield to fight for funding and to fight against school closures. He also has gone downtown during the summer to talk to young people to keep them out of trouble.

“It takes all of us to do it together. It takes the church members, the organizations, the violence prevention groups,” he said, adding that providing that support and working together made an impact.

Williams believes an effective representative for the Sixth District has to have someone who has boots on the ground experience, educational experience and the versatility to work on different issues. As a father and community leader, Williams wants to represent and support families. He believes with his experience he will be able to bring the District much needed resources.

Williams wants to end subminimum wage for tip workers on a state level. He said a lot of the constituents in the District are service workers. He believes that any legislation that includes job training and placement, as well as high paying roles, while addressing the trauma in the community, would get his full support. He also wants to address, homelessness, violence and reimagining closed schools in the community.

For more information about Joseph Williams and his run for Illinois State Representative, visit joeforsixthdistrict.com.

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