PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MEMBERS
As of 2019, the Progressive Reform Caucus is proud to number 18 sitting aldermen among our ranks.
Alderman Sophia King, 4th Ward
Alderman Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward
Alderman Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward
Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza, 10th Ward
Alderman Toni Foulkes, 16th Ward
Alderman David Moore, 17th Ward
Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward
Alderman Christopher Taliaferro, 29th Ward
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward
Alderman John Arena, 45th Ward
Alderman Sophia King, 4th Ward
Since becoming alderman in April 2016, Alderman King has led the 4th Ward with transparency, a focus on service, and as a voice for those who have historically lacked a champion in City Hall.
Alderman King grew up in Evanston, Illinois. Her family hails from the Mississippi Delta, so as a child and young adult, she spent considerable time in the state. After her mother was extended the opportunity to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, the family relocated to the Chicago area. By example, her mother’s path demonstrated the value of education, hard work and how the power of opportunity can impact one’s life trajectory.
Through her work at the Latin School of Chicago, Alderman King was driven to help found the Ariel Community Academy — established to provide North Kenwood-Oakland residents with the same quality education that her students at Latin received.
Alderman King utilized her Master’s Degree in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University to diversify classes at the Latin School and promote Co-Curricular education at Chicago Public Schools.
During the five years Alderman King spent as a small business owner in the 4th Ward, she gained a unique perspective about the importance of small businesses to a community. Alderman King has stimulated job opportunities for young people and for many in need, and as a result of that strong drive and focus, she has become a strong advocate for growing minority businesses and fair DBE representation in City contracts.
Alderman King also founded Harriet’s Daughters, a non-profit aimed at increasing employment and wealth in the African American community. She and her organization worked with elected officials and individuals in leadership positions to turn a spotlight on disparities, and to enable access to jobs and procurement opportunities.
Whether fighting for youth programs as President of the Kenwood Park Advisory Council, advocating for women’s reproductive rights as Vice President of Planned Parenthood Chicago, creating a community response to gun violence with The It’s Time Organization (TITO), or educating and empowering African-American women and businesses with Harriet’s Daughters by advocating for more inclusion in City and State contracts, Alderman King has skillfully brought people together and engaged them in productive dialog to address complex challenges.
Alderman Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward
A Chicago native and fierce community advocate with deep roots in the South Shore and Hyde Park neighborhoods, Leslie Hairston has built a professional career dedicated to public service. The fourth term alderman of Chicago’s 5th Ward sits on six City Council committees. She is vice chair of Economic, Capital & Technology Development and a member of Finance; Budget & Government Operations; Committees, Rules & Ethics; Health & Environmental Protection; and Special Events, Cultural Affairs & Recreation. She also chairs the council’s Black Caucus Sub-committee on Business and is a member of the Chicago City Council Progressive Reform Coalition.
Since her election to the aldermanic office in 1999, Hairston has been instrumental in spearheading infrastructure improvements, business development, and initiatives to enhance ward residents’ safety, security and quality of life. She helped pioneer environmentally-friendly waste collection programs and, most recently, Participatory Budgeting, which engages constituents in determining how to allocate city funds earmarked for ward capital improvements.
Hairston oversees many notable cultural and natural assets, including the lakefront, Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the University of Chicago. She takes particular pride in developing new institutions through partnerships between the community, business and government – such as preserving the doomed country club that became the South Shore Cultural Center and culinary school, or creating from scratch the Gary Comer Youth Center in Grand Crossing. Both architecturally significant sites were visited by international dignitaries during the 2012 NATO meeting.
Hairston has earned a reputation for her principled positions beyond her ward, particularly for continuing to be among the handful of aldermen who refuse to approve the sale or lease of such city assets as parking meters without proper notice, documentation or financial justification. She has forced examination of city contracts for fair inclusion of minority vendors and fought ordinances that disproportionately burdened lakefront condominiums with requirements for sprinkler systems and façade improvements. She accepted the same challenge made to congressmen to live for a week on food stamps, which led to her sponsoring city legislation to expand the use of the Link card to purchase fresh produce.
A strong litigator, Hairston previously served as assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois and staff attorney and special prosecutor for the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, where she argued before the Illinois State Supreme Court. An active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, she serves on its Real Estate Law section council.
Hairston has been heavily involved in professional, legal and social service activities, such as the Illinois State Bar Association, Friends of the Park, Kaleidoscope Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She is particularly proud of her work with youth-based initiatives.
Alderman Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward
Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer was sworn in as Alderman of the 6th Ward in May of 2011. Chicago’s 6th Ward represents the Chatham, Chesterfield, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Park Manor and West Chesterfield neighborhoods. After the remap takes effect, he will lose parts of the Chesterfield, Roseland Heights and West Chesterfield communities.
In March of 2012 he also became the Democratic Committeeman of the 6th Ward, which is a part of the Cook County Democratic Party.
Alderman Sawyer is an active member of the City Council Committees on Education and Child Development, Human Relations, License and Consumer Protection, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Rules and Ethics. Alderman Sawyer prides himself on being independent and working for what is in the best interest of his community.
Alderman Sawyer was born and raised in Chicago’s 6th Ward. Roderick has called the 6th Ward home his entire life. He is the youngest of three children born to Celeste C. Taylor and the late Mayor of Chicago and former 6th Ward Alderman, the Honorable Eugene Sawyer.
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Alderman Sawyer’s parents ensured he understood the importance of helping others, maintaining a strong work ethic, building solid neighborhoods, and functioning as one community towards a greater public good. Mirroring his father, Roderick started his work in public service at a young age. Ever since joining the 6th Ward Young Democrats as a child, Alderman Sawyer has worked to fulfill his passion for public service. He remains fully committed to strong neighborhoods as he is an active participant in all of the 6th Ward Community Organizations, Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), Park Manor Neighbors Community Council, Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, Greater Chatham Alliance, Chesterfield Community Council, West Chesterfield Community Council and Roseland Heights Community Council.
Alderman Sawyer began his education at the Howalton Day School. In 1981, he graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep and four years later, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University. He received a Juris Doctorate from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law in 1990 and was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in the same year.
Alderman Sawyer practiced law at the Law Office of Roderick T. Sawyer where he became an expert at licensing issues. Alderman Sawyer uses his legal expertise to promote economic development in his community and to combat problem businesses.
Presently, Alderman Sawyer is on the Board of Directors of the South Shore Drill Team, eta Creative Arts Foundation, Meyering Park Advisory Council and Board of Trustees at St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church. Since his election in 2001, Alderman Sawyer has served on McDade Classical School’s Local School Council as a member and former Chairman. Every year he co-chairs a fundraiser, which raises monies for a scholarship fund that provides financial assistance for disadvantaged African-Americans who attend his high school alma mater.
In his spare time, Alderman Sawyer enjoys deejaying as an amateur music mixologist, playing basketball, softball and dominoes. Roderick is married to Cheryll and they have two children, Sydni Celeste and Roderick T. Jr.
Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza, 10th Ward
Alderwoman Garza is a lifelong resident of the 10th Ward and has worked in Chicago Public Schools for 21years. She is the daughter of rank and file union leader Ed Sadlowski. Alderwoman Garza holds a bachelor’s degree from Governor’s State University and a master’s degree from Concordia University. She was a counselor at Jane Addams Elementary School as well as Area Vice President for the Chicago Teachers Union. Alderwoman Garza also sat on the Executive Board of the Chicago Teachers Union. She also is a member of the AFL-CIO. In 2015, she was elected as the first woman alderman in the 10th Ward
Alderwoman Garza has worked with of thousands of families throughout the 10th Ward to create award winning after school programs such as “Safe-Kids” and “Bully Patrol.” She has worked tirelessly with students and teachers in every school within the 10th Ward. She is also a member of “Communities in Schools,” a citywide program that serves at-risk youth. Alderwoman Garza has served on the board of the Hegewisch Community Committee. For 15 years, she served as the program director there. She is a member of the East-side Pride, and has been instrumental in the fight against pollutants in the neighborhood.
Alderwoman Garza has actively put in her time to the people of South Chicago’s neighborhood. In an effort to empower workers to fight for their rights, she has worked with Juan Diego Center to send buses to Springfield to fight for immigration and pensions. She has also volunteered at the South Chicago Battered Women’s Shelter by starting a children’s library.
Alderwoman Garza long career in activism is strongly rooted in her belief that together, we can change this city.
Alderman Toni Foulkes, 16th Ward
Alderman Toni L. Foulkes has alderman since 2007. She lives on Chicago’s Southwest Side, and her family has called the West Englewood community their home for several generations – over 40 years.
Over the years, she helped mentor, organize and coach at-risk, underprivileged kids in literacy, provided job-skills training and worked to give them a positive alternative to gang membership. A strong woman of faith and committed action, Alderman Foulkes is also an active member at True Foundation Transformation Church, located in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Alderman Foulkes continues the fight to make public safety and quality education a priority in the 15th Ward.
Toni obtained her undergraduate degree in Merchandising at Intercontinental University, Atlanta GA in 1986. She is a proud graduate of Ralph J. Bunche Elementary (65th & Ashland) and the former Academy of Our Lady High School (95th & Throop). After graduation, she traveled and studied abroad in France, Germany, England, Italy and Switzerland.
She understands both the everyday concerns and needs of working individuals and families, having been employed by Jewel for many years in the bakery department. A longtime fighter for social, political and human rights, over the years she has aligned herself with a variety of progressive social issues.
Alderman David Moore, 17th Ward
David Moore was elected 17th Ward alderman on February 24, 2015. A native Chicagoan, David spent his childhood in the Robert Taylor Homes, before moving to the Auburn-Gresham community. Upon completing Simeon Vocational High School, he graduated Western Illinois University with a dual major in accounting and operations management. He earned an MA with emphasis in government studies at Loyola University-Chicago.
David established a successful accounting career in the private sector at several Fortune 500 companies, as well as with Chicago’s Department of Aviation and Housing Authority. Most recently, he served as an assistant to the commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, coordinating the Faith-based Community Initiative.
David traces his “call” to public service back to his days as an 11-year-old walking the 17th Ward with his uncle, an assistant precinct captain. Years later, David became precinct captain of the ward’s Democratic Organization. He worked on behalf of local neighborhoods in several capacities, most notably successful voter registration drives, assisting officials shut down drug houses and common-sense gun legislation. He also played key roles in city, state national elections.
David is the proud father of Alexandria Moore and son of Elizabeth Lee—known for generously giving her time to 17th Ward residents and causes. The community recognizes him as a man of integrity, as well as for his volunteer work particularly with seniors, students and those involved with drug abuse. He is a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He serves on the board of the Kodero Hunter “MVP” Foundation and as a deacon of his long-time religious home, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.
Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward
Scott Waguespack is the alderman of Chicago’s 32nd Ward, which includes parts of the Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Logan Square, Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods. Since his election as alderman in 2007, Ald. Waguespack has been a leading independent voice in the City Council, often challenging both the Daley and Emanuel administrations on issues of transparency, finances, public safety and public education. Since 2015, Ald. Waguespack has served as chair of the 11-member Progressive Reform Caucus.
In 2008, Ald. Waguespack was elected as the 32nd Ward’s Democratic Committeeman. In that role, he has worked to register, educate and mobilize voters to elect more progressive leaders in the Northwest Side corridor.
Ald. Waguespack graduated from Colorado State University and Chicago-Kent College of Law. After college, he served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya, where he worked with UNICEF and various women’s groups to build health clinics and water supplies, and provided training in primary health. He remains active with the Chicago Area Returned Peace Corps Association.
Ald. Waguespack has worked with the U.S. State Department, the American Bar Association, and various governments in the Balkans working to assist the War Crimes Tribunal in the former Yugoslavia, establishing a rule of law, and working on economic development. He served as an advisor to the President of Kosovo and the interim government after the end of the Kosovo War.
Ald. Waguespack sits on the City Council Committees on Finance; Budget and Government Operations; Committees, Rules, and Ethics; Education and Child Development; License and Consumer Protection; Human Relations; and Special Events.
He lives in Bucktown and his wife, Jade, and two young sons, Marc and Brandt.
Alderman Christopher Taliaferro, 29th Ward
Ald. Chris Taliaferro represents the 29th Ward, which includes Chicago’s Austin and Galewood Communities. Born in Smithfield, Virginia, Ald. Taliaferro served in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Virginia and as an infantry sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1989, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines in Chicago, where he taught weapons and tactics during Operation Desert Storm, as part of the Inspector and Instructor staff. Throughout Ald. Taliaferro’s service in the armed forces, his commitment, dedication and leadership led to numerous meritorious promotions, citations and awards.
In 1994, Ald. Taliaferro began his career with the Chicago Police Department. He served as a Sergeant with the Department and has served the City of Chicago for over 20 years, receiving numerous awards.
Ald. Taliaferro has been a litigation attorney at Nexus Legal Group, P.C. and served as one of the firm’s founding partners. He focused his practice on family law and dedicated many hours each year to pro bono legal services for the elderly and those unable to financially retain effective legal representation.
Ald. Taliaferro has been married to his high school sweetheart, Melissa, for more than 20 years. They have three children.
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is a lifelong Chicagoan who has dedicated his life to public service. As a community organizer, former congressional caseworker, and now 35th Ward Alderman, Carlos has always put our families and our neighborhoods first.
As a community organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Carlos worked to keep families safe from deportation and win President Obama’s historic executive action to fix immigration. Prior to ICIRR, he served as a congressional caseworker in the office of U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez. There, Carlos spearheaded successful constituent service efforts that helped families, seniors, and veterans cut through government red tape and solve their government problems.
Carlos worked to keep schools open, raise the minimum wage, support public employees, and expand LGBT equality. He served as an elected Community Representative to the Avondale-Logandale Local School Council. As a former mentor at Erie Neighborhood House and a high school debate coach for CPS students, Carlos helped our youth develop leadership skills and set them on a path to college.
Carlos is a proud graduate of our Chicago Public Schools and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At the University of Illinois, he worked to secure unprecedented funding for women and LGBT programs. Carlos is the first openly gay Latino elected to Chicago City Council.
Alderman John Arena, 45th Ward
Since being sworn in as Alderman of the 45th Ward on May 16, 2011, John Arena has earned a reputation as an independent voice on the City Council. His voting record has earned him awards from the IVI-IPO for Best Aldermanic Voting Record, Implantation of Community Budgeting, and Support of the Chicago Teachers Union. He is a strong supporter of ethics reform, government openness, and fiscal accountability.
Ald. Arena has supported ordinances requiring an open process on government outsourcing, requesting a moratorium on school closing, and placing a referendum on the ballot for an elected school board. He voted against the Mayor’s position on the Infrastructure Trust Fund, speed cameras, the food truck ordinance, and the 2013 budget, among other issues.
Ald. Arena has sought to bring vibrancy and economic vitality to the Northwest Side through the encouragement of the arts, most notably through Arts|Alive 45, an independent 501(c)3 he helped found. Ald. Arena won election to his first term by 30 votes out of more than 12,000 cast.
Previous to his election, Ald. Arena ran a successful graphic design business with his wife Jill. He has been active in Portage Park for more than 15 years, twice serving as vice president of the Portage Park Neighborhood Association. He has two children, both of whom attend Chicago Public Schools.