Interview with Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Ethics Reform Tops Ald. Sigcho-Lopez’s Priority List
Alderperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez told League interviewer Priscilla Mims that he ran to become the 25th Ward alderperson because of the level of corruption he saw and its effect on preventing true representation for people in the ward. He missed his chance to be part of a run-off election by just 75 votes in 2015, but then won in 2019. Ethics reform naturally tops the list of what he would like to get done in this first term. He is working with Ald. Matthew Martin, 47th Ward, on an ethics ordinance that he expects will be unveiled soon.
Watch the interview, which premiered on September 23.
Here are a few highlights:
In addition to ethics reform, Sigcho-Lopez’ other priorities include environmental justice (he would like to see a Department of the Environment reinstated) and housing. He would like to ensure a supply of affordable housing and create greater stability in the housing market by limiting evictions.
Ald. Sigcho-Lopez, a member of the City Council Zoning Committee, explained that the 25th Ward has a local zoning advisory board of 12 members from the ward's different neighborhoods. The board has guidelines for assessing a project which, among other things, require a higher set aside for affordable housing (30%) than required by city ordinances. The board discusses how the community will be impacted by the project, and public community meetings are held to get more feedback. Then, with the support of this advisory board and the community, Ald. Sigcho-Lopez brings the project to the Zoning Committee for approval.
The alderperson cited gun violence as the number-one issue in his ward and across the city. He said that mental health problems are the source of much of the violence and bemoans the lack of mental health services. He also emphasized that we must invest in after-school programs and provide more employment opportunities. Ald. Sigcho-Lopez is putting together a team to engage young people before they turn to violence.