Interview with Ald. Brian Hopkins
Alderman Hopkins Supports League’s Position on Redistricting
Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd ward, supports having an independent commission draw Chicago’s ward boundaries once the 2020 census data is available. He also has sponsored (along with Ald. Vasquez, Jr. of the 40th ward) a resolution in the City Council calling for hearings to gather information on reforms for a transparent and equitable redistricting process.
Resolution 2021-1 has been assigned to the Committee on Committees and Rules, where it awaits action. During his “Zooming with the Alderman” interview, which premiered on March 4, Ald. Hopkins said he encourages everyone to write to their alderman to urge that the hearings begin soon (all Aldermen sit on this Committee).
Ald. Hopkins explains that he became interested in running for Alderman in 2015 because of how the last redistricting process led to a very gerrymandered 2nd ward, splitting his Streeterville neighborhood. His ward encompasses 18 different neighborhood groups, which poses time challenges for him as he wants to interact with all of them regularly.
Here are a few more highlights from the interview conducted by LWV Chicago member Deborah Halpern:
Crime and safety are the top issues of concern for people in 2nd ward, which has experienced a huge increase in car-jackings.
One improvement Ald. Hopkins would like to see in the way the City Council operates is to continue to professionalize the staff working for City Council Committees. He complimented Ald. Brendan Reilly, who has taken over the Legislative Reference Bureau and done much to hire new staff with qualifications to do the work of the Bureau. Ald. Hopkins explained that currently, City Council Committee staff positions are exempt from the Shakman rules that prohibit political considerations in hiring, and the committee chairs have the discretion to hire whom they want.
His top priority for the remainder of his term, which ends in 2023, is to see the revival of downtown, specifically North Michigan Avenue and the surrounding area, which is key to Chicago’s financial fortunes.