2023 Municipal Elections

 Did you miss this blog? I've been posting more at another blog I started called Ninth Ward Chicago, I expect to post there for the forseeable future.

Though to be honest I do wonder about JP Paulus' thoughts on Congressman-elect Jonathan Jackson who was elected in the midterm election just last month. He discussed the race to succeed Congressman Bobby Rush of the 1st Congressional District from earlier this summer.

Well now that the gubernatorial and midterm elections are now over, we turn our attention to the municipal races in Chicago. We will be voting for the city council, city clerk, city treasurer, for people to serve on their police district boards, and of course for mayor.

One of the people running for mayor against the vulnerable incumbent Lori Lightfoot is one Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer. In 2011 we covered the race where Sawyer - the son of a former Alderman and Mayor in Eugene Sawyer - was able to defeat incumbent Ward 6 Ald. Freddrenna Lyle in a runoff. Now over a decade later, Sawyer hopes to be another son of a mayor to take the office on city hall's fifth floor.

A channel on YouTube called Next News Network which is a right ring channel takes a look at the mayor's race and quotes Ald. Sawyer who referred to Mayor Lightfoot as thin-skinned. [VIDEO]

Now with Sawyer seeking the mayor's office that means he must give up his seat on the Chicago city council and that means there are man candidates who want to succeed Ald. Sawyer. Worlee Glover at Concerned Citizens of Chicago shared a list of candidates for Ward 6 Alderman in 2023. Of course the deadline to submit petitions for the 2023 elections had passed on Monday and we're headed into the period of petition challenges.

We had one candidate for mayor to drop out in Ward 15 Ald. Ray Lopez who opted to run again for his seat on the city council.

Just to open the discussion here, who would be your preference for mayor next year? Would you give Mayor Lightfoot a second term in the mayor's office?

Also I have to ask about Eddie, he was a frequent commentor during the weirdness of 2020 through 2021. Where are you big guy? Let us know you're OK out there.

BTW, happy holidays to all.

Runoff endorsement #6WardChicago

For some reason it surprises me that Richard Wooten who was thrice a candidate for Ward 6 Alderman endorses incumbent Ald. Roderick Sawyer as he goes into a runoff against Deborah Foster-Bonner.
Then again often in election season we see candidates endorse their former rivals often. And I do believe that in Ald. Sawyer's runoff in 2011 against then Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, Wooten also endorsed Sawyer. And of course in 2011 Sawyer would win that runoff and take his father's old seat as 6th Ward Alderman.

The election is next Tuesday.

Runoff #6WardChicago

From Block Club Chicago, Ald. Roderick Sawyer gives his thoughts on being forced into next month's runoff election for Ward 6 Alderman. He claims not to know much about his opponent Deborah Foster-Bonner. As we know he beat another incumbent Alderman of the 6th Ward in a runoff, however, do you all believe he can pull off a victory on April 2nd?

Also early voting in next month's runoff for some alderman, city treasurer, and mayor races began yesterday.

Ald. Sawyer urges Target to reconsider closing of South Side stores #6WardChicago

A press release sent to us tonight regarding the impending closure of Target. Let's see if this makes a difference.

• Ald. Sawyer urges Target to reconsider closing of South Side stores
  Says corporate divestment will harm South Side community
  
  CHICAGO (Tuesday, October 30, 2018)--Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), chair of the Black Caucus of the Chicago City Council, denounced in harsh terms the announced decision to close Target’s two South Side stores. The stores are located in Chatham and in Morgan Park.
  
  “Target’s closing of the Chatham store will be a devastating blow to our community.
  
  “This closing will cost our area at least 120 jobs. Although the employer states that employees will be offered the chance to transfer to another Target location, there is no guarantee of employment, and certainly no guarantee that a job with the company will be anywhere near our community.
  
  “It is ironic that these stores will shutter in February, while the chain is putting finishing touches on two new stores on the North Side, in Logan Square and Rogers Park, both of which already have nearby Target stores. Once the Chatham and Morgan Park stores close, the nearest remaining South Side Targets will be at least 5 miles from this community.
  
  “It is disappointing that this giant corporation is not willing to address the serious management issues at this store, and to give our community more time and investment in order to continue the economic recovery and to increase its store’s profitability.
  
  “For all these reasons, I urge Target Corporation to reconsider what amounts to a racially imbalanced policy of development and investment, and keep the South Side Targets in place, rather than abandoning your investment here for the greener pastures of the North Side.”
  
  ###

I also wanted to share this story from CBS 2 with regards to the recently announced closures. Ald. Roderick Sawyer is seen in this video commenting on the closures of the two "Black Target" stores. [VIDEO]

The mayor's check used instead for community organizations...

This happened last Friday.

A press release was shared via e-mail with regards to Ald. Roderick Sawyer (Ward 6) donating money from outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel to 10 local community organizations. I will share the post provided from Worlee Glover's Concerned Citizen's of Chatham below.

#6WardChicago 2019 race for 6th ward alderman

Thanks to Worlee Glover we know there may be a repeat of the 2015 election in the 6th ward between Ald. Sawyer & Richard Wooten. Hopefully if we mention him again as a candidate for alderman we won't get hit with petty comments about how we're not listing him as a current candidate for alderman while noting he was a past candidate in 2011 & 2015.

I just want to note that last month after Mayor Emanuel bowed out of the race for mayor last month it was noted that Ald. Sawyer was looking into running for Mayor (which was an office his father Eugene Sawyer once held from 1987-89). Though in an appearance on Chicago Tonight also last month he noted that if the voters of the 6th Ward so chose he would be more than happy to represent them for another term.

If you know of anyone else running for alderman in the 6th Ward let us know! 

Health & Wellness Fair #6WardChicago

This event will take place tomorrow

Wednesday, October 3, 2018
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

706 E. 79th Street (community room)

The alderman's office, of course!

See the ig post below and feel free to call the alderman's office 773.635.0006

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Greater Chatham Initiative (@gcicommunity) on Sep 30, 2018 at 8:59pm PDT

Quarterly Community Meeting #6WardChicago

Quarterly community meeting for the 6th Ward

Join Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer
Wednesday, September 26, 2019
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church
8199 S. Calumet Avenue

And of course for more information visit the alderman's website at www.6ward.com or call his service office at 773.635.0006

www.6ward.com

Sun-Times: Ald. Sawyer says Preckwinkle will join crowded mayoral field this week

I'm trying to figure out how to insert Ald. Roderick Sawyer's potential interest in the mayor's office although he said in a Chicago Tonight appearance that the best place for him is Alderman of the 6th Ward. Meanwhile he knows that county board president Toni Preckwinkle could throw her hat into the ring to succeed Rahm Emanuel.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will announce her run for mayor this week, the chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus said.

Ald. Rod Sawyer (6th) told the Sun-Times he talked to Preckwinkle on Monday and the veteran County Board president told him she plans to enter the crowded race.

Another alderman, who asked not to be identified, also said they’d been told by Preckwinkle she is in.

A spokesperson for the Preckwinkle camp, however, would not confirm any plans. Other sources said Preckwinkle’s announcement is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m.

“She has the ability to raise money. She has a decent message. But we also have a lot of people running or expressing interest,” Sawyer said.

Want an official word, we have to wait until Thursday....

Ald. Sawyer for Mayor...

This was in Tuesday's news about Rahm Emanuel bowing out of his re-election bid next year:

Ald. Roderick Sawyer, (6th), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, said he’s considering a run.

“I’m talking to someone this afternoon just to talk it through,” Sawyer said. “I would be lying to you if I said I was not interested.”

Sawyer said he’s having conversations about “the greater impact of all of this, not just the personality.”

I'm sorry I didn't see this on Tuesday or even earlier on Wednesday.

I see the feedback on the link to this article at Concerned Citizens of Chatham. I suppose the question is not whether or not Ald. Sawyer should run it would be if he decided to forgo re-election for 6th ward alderman who could replace him?

On the other hand is Chicago ready for another Mayor Sawyer?

6th Ward Alderman: Bait Truck Sting In Englewood ‘Unacceptable,’

Ald. Roderick Sawyer is chairman of the city council Black Caucus and seem to be very busy. First last weekend's violence, now police using bait trucks to catch offenders:

The chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus denounced a sting operation that used “bait trucks” to try to catch thieves in Englewood, saying it was an “inappropriate use of police resources” and a hearing should be held to get answers.

Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer (6th) called Chicago Police and the Norfolk Southern Railroad on the carpet for the joint operation, which was revealed when video shot by activists went viral this week.

“This bait truck operation is an unacceptable and inappropriate use of police resources,” Sawyer said in a statement. “In a moment where police capacity is clearly under extreme strain, these sort of tactics are the last thing we should be spending manpower and energy on.

“This initiative serves only to undermine already fragile efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the community, and to reinforce counterproductive policies that have contributed to the mass incarceration of Black youth in our city.

More about the viral videos:

One of the two viral videos was shot by activist Charles Mckenzie, who posted it on Facebook. Sawyer personally thanked the 29-year-old Englewood activist for filming the sting “so that it could be laid bare for the public and news media to examine.”

Here are one of those videos which I found in this Block Club Chi article where the police defended their tactics.

#6WardChicago Senior Ice Cream Social Thursday

Last week I posted that and in the title I erroneously typed August 6th.  As is stated in the flyer embed below the ice cream social is on August 9th. My apologies, the previous post on this was corrected.

The 6th Ward Democratic Organization and Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer invites you to come and join them at the 6th Ward senior ice cream social

When: Thursday, August 9, 2018
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: 6th Ward Community Room
Address: 706 East 79th Street

Capitol Fax: The Black Caucus response to the city’s mass shootings

Well in addition to Monday's post where the Capitol Fax shares a number of tweets and quotes about the past weekend's gun violence toll he also shares with us a press release from the city council's Black Caucus. The CapFax post was also updated with Crain's Chicago Business Greg Hinz interviewing a few members of the Black Caucus and the chair - being 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer - was quoted by Hinz.

The Black Caucus response to the city’s mass shootings https://t.co/J09mMeiDwf

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 7, 2018

My intention was to post this far earlier, but was away from my computer today and caught up in today's rain!

Although this is worth sharing in this same vein. State Rep. LaShawn Ford was on FOX News yesterday and he wants President Donald Trump to help with the violence in Chicago [VIDEO]

Is it time to bring in federal help for the gun violence in our neighborhoods?

August 9th ward senior ice cream social #6wardchicago

The 6th Ward Democratic Organization and Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer invites you to come and join them at the 6th Ward senior ice cream social

When: Thursday, August 9, 2018
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: 6th Ward Community Room
Address: 706 East 79th Street

Peace in Cole Park August 17 & 18

You might have seen this in a e-mail blast from 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer earlier this summer. Peace in the Park - After Dark: Overnight Camping Experience. To take place in Cole Park - 361 E. 85th Street from 2:00 PM on August 17, 2018 to 8:00 PM on August 18, 2018.

You may have seen some blurbs on this blog about such an event overtime on this blog.

King Food & Deli #6WardChicago

Photo by Richard Wooten

On Nextdoor Richard Wooten a prominent leader in the 6th Ward posted this picture of a business that moved into the former Church's Chicken on 87th & King Drive. The complaints made by Wooten and others is based upon the signage and also the products they offer. What you see would be acceptable in other neighborhoods - I could dare say low-income - but for Chatham well not acceptable.

Apparently enough people complained that 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer had to release a statement on this.

• Ald. Sawyer, community leaders speak out about new problem business in Chatham
  
  CHICAGO (July 5, 2018)--Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer (6) stood with community leaders on Thursday to speak out against a newly opened business in the Chatham neighborhood.
  
  Ald. Sawyer joined Chatham-Avalon Community Council President Rev. Dr. Marc A. Robertson, Greater Chatham Alliance President Richard Wooten, and Chesterfield Community Council President Elizabeth Prowell to voice outrage at the King Food & Deli located at 87th Street and King Drive. Ald. Sawyer said he had heard from a number of neighborhood residents who were offended by the store’s use of bulletproof glass and merchandise for sale, including blunts and unhealthy snacks.
  
  “This store is an affront to our community,” said Ald. Sawyer. “Chatham is a family-oriented neighborhood. By marketing unsavory items and using bulletproof glass, the store fails to treat our residents--its potential customers--with the respect we deserve.”
  
  Ald. Sawyer said he had been unable to prevent the opening or regulation of the opening of the store, and called on his colleagues in the City Council to pass 7th Ward Ald. Greg Mitchell’s proposed ordinance to require aldermanic approval of these sort of retail food licenses.
  
  “Unfortunately, this is a problem we see far too often in African American communities,” said Ald. Sawyer, who is chair of the City Council Black Caucus. “I believe this could be at least partially addressed by increased local control over licensing decisions for aldermen. That’s why I support Ald. Mitchell’s ordinance, and hope it is passed quickly by the City Council.”
  
  Ald. Sawyer said he would continue to fight to protect the 6th Ward against problem businesses, and was seeking solutions to address community concerns about King Food & Deli in the immediate term.

This could beg the question of how does Chatham and the surrounding areas that want to be attached to Chatham attract these so-called family-oriented businesses? How do we keep businesses such as the King Food & Deli from opening in the community?

REMINDER: Mabe's Deli opening on 75th Street on Saturday #6thwardchicago

Via Worlee Glover

This grand opening is happening on Saturday- that's today - if you can pay a visit and then feel free to share any feedback in the comments! Below I'm reposting the press release that you should've seen on Tuesday. The deli itself is across the street from Lem's BarBQ.

• Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for Mabe's Deli on East 75th Street
  
  Mabe's Deli is celebrating their grand opening with Alderman Roderick Sawyer and members of the community at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 30 at 312 East 75th Street, Chicago.
  
  Who: Alderman Roderick Sawyer, Mabe's Deli owners and staff, community and business leaders
  What: Mabe's Deli ribbon cutting and grand opening
  When: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 30
  Where: 312 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL
  
  The grand opening celebration celebration begins at 11 a.m. with the ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 11:15 a.m. Attendees will be able to try free samples of Mabe's smoothies and enjoy special discounts throughout the day.
  
  For pictures of the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, please visit Mabe's Deli on Facebook following the event.
  
  ###

It's going to be hot out there this weekend...

Information provided by the office of 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer. Information you need to know on beating this heat. Also a listing of city cooling centers if it gets too hot for you at home and outside. Call 311 for the cooling center closest to you and of course if you're concerned about anyone during this heat request a well-being check for them.

It’s going to be VERY hot this 4th of July weekend. Please note the following cooling centers! For all emergencies be sure to call 911. For more info visit: https://t.co/ye5sGCZ8So #coolingcenters #6wardchicago #rodericktsawyer pic.twitter.com/zwnUfnpwQD

— 6th Ward Chicago (@6thWardChicago) June 29, 2018

City Club of Chicago: Exodus from Illinois

[VIDEO] This happened yesterday Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6 Ward) was on a panel at the City Club of Chicago with Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, Kristen McQueary from the Chicago Tribune, and conservative commentator Dan Proft. The video above is about 47 mins and was streamed live on YouTube on Tuesday.

I've not had the chance to watch in full however we can both see what these four distinguished individuals have to say about this exodus from Illinois. This should be a very interesting discussion to be had here.

Also remember last month Ald. Sawyer gave a speech at the City Club also.

6th Ward senior meeting March 8, 2018

The next senior meeting coming up this Thursday

• Date: Thursday, March 8, 2018
  Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  Where: 706 E. 79th Street
  

Any questions can be directed to the Alderman's office via their website www.6ward.com or call their office at 773.635.0006. Flyer from their FB page is embedded below.