What’s New

Simeon Henderson

A Chicago Public Schools educator, Henderson was a Chicago police officer from 1998 to 2004, during which time he garnered six complaints, one of which was sustained. He says the CPD budget should be increased and that his experience as an officer can help “bridge the gap between our neighborhoods and the police officers,” adding, “it starts block-by-block and district-by-district.”

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

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Simeon Henderson Read More »

Rosemarie Dominguez

A lifelong Little Village resident and longtime community organizer, Dominguez has a master’s in Latin American and Latino studies from UIC. She says, “residents and CAARPR were the ones that prompted me to run, and they are the ones that are going to shape me and my campaign.”

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Rosemarie Dominguez Read More »

Larry Lawrence

A lifelong west-sider, Lawrence is the senior pastor of Praise Temple of Restoration in Austin. He works with youth at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, and says he’s running “to help [bridge] the divide between our police and the communities in which they serve.”

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Larry Lawrence Read More »

Elianne Bahena

A Little Village resident, Bahena has worked in nonprofits advocating for domestic violence survivors and for immigrant rights. She serves as the director of policy and community outreach for the 22nd Ward Public Service Office. Bahena also serves the boards of Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Enlace Chicago, and HACE Chicago. Alderperson Michael Rodriguez (22nd Ward) and the 22nd Ward IPO have endorsed.

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Elianne Bahena Read More »

Kiisha Smith

A youth and community advocate from Lawndale, Smith says she knows “exactly what it’s like to be harassed by the police as well as to call them and NOT receive the help, assistance, or protection I needed.”

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Kiisha Smith Read More »

Leo Guzman

A lifelong Little Village resident, Guzman started the Little Lawndale Neighborhood Studio, a community gathering space that has invited police officers to host and participate in events in order to interact with community members.

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Leo Guzman Read More »

Brian J. Ramson Jr.

A physicist at Fermilab, Ramson says, “the simultaneous overuse and lack of effectiveness of the CPD is one of the key factors limiting the rehabilitation of the more troubled areas of the city including much of Chicago’s west side. Solutions to the chronic problems plaguing the operation of this department exist. I intend to find those solutions and assist in implementing them.” 

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Brian J. Ramson Jr. Read More »

Jocelyn A. Woodards

A senior field representative for the AFL-CIO, Woodards has previously worked for Obama For America, the Democratic National Committee, and as an advisor to former U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Jocelyn A. Woodards Read More »

Alees Edwards

A faith-based community organizer, Edwards has been a block club president on the west side for over four years. Edwards currently serves as one of the co-chairs for the mayor’s African American Engagement Council ​​and is the founder and executive director of Drawn Out Ministries, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing to women returning from prison. Alderpersons Walter Burnett (27th Ward), Emma Mitts (37th Ward), and the 1000 N. Harding Block Club have endorsed.

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Alees Edwards Read More »

Tamiko Holt

A resident of Garfield Park, Holt did not respond to requests for comment.

Candidate questionnaire responses

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer?
Do you have experience interacting with CPD?
Do you have experience working or interacting with government?
Should the city hire more police officers?
Is CPD adequately funded?
CPD reform:
Mental health crises:

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Why are you running for Police District Council?

Read More

Tamiko Holt Read More »