Gabriel Piemonte for Fifth Ward alderman |

Elect

Gabriel Piemonte

for Fifth Ward alderman

A real progressive

Gabriel has the will and ability to stand up to the Chicago machine. He believes the people should direct the course of our communities, not entrenched politicians

Civic organizer

Gabriel is a co-founder of a videography program for high school students, a credit union, community gardens, a growers co-op, and a preservation group

Journalist

Gabriel learned his way around the South Side as a reporter for the Hyde Park Herald and returned to serve as editor of the Herald for 8 years

South Side resident

A Fifth Ward resident for 17 years, Gabriel has lived with his wife Mary in Woodlawn for 8 years

Engaged citizen

Board president of the St. Martin de Porres House of Hope; board member of the Northern Illinois Historic League

Endorsed by

The South Side chapter of Democracy for America (the organization founded by Vermont Governor Howard Dean)

Proudest achievement

Co-founding Woodlawn Voices and Visions, a videography program designed for Chicago Public Schools high school students

What I stand for

I believe an alderman should represent all the people in the ward. The current alderman calls herself a progressive, but has grown complacent over 20 years. Many see her as unresponsive or uncaring.

I believe the best decisions are made through democratic deliberation: Give everyone in the neighborhood a voice, work through our differences, and great things will result.

In good times and bad, the alderman should be there. On the horrible night this summer when the Chicago police killed Harith Augustus on 71st Street, my opponent was nowhere to be found.

I believe police reform can’t wait. Recent tragedies have intensified the call for accountability — not only from the Chicago Police, but also the University of Chicago. #CPACNow

Our city can do much, much more for small business. Direct investment into local ownership and employment and real penalties for not hitting targets are essential and have been ducked by this and most other South Side aldermen

I believe new development should be overseen by local councils: Trust local knowledge and the power of deliberative discourse to find the best way forward.

What I stand for

I believe an alderman should represent all the people in the ward. The current alderman calls herself a progressive, but has grown complacent over 20 years. Many see her as unresponsive or uncaring.

I believe the best decisions are made through democratic deliberation: Give everyone in the neighborhood a voice, work through our differences, and great things will result.

In good times and bad, the alderman should be there. On the horrible night this summer when the Chicago police killed Harith Augustus on 71st Street, my opponent was nowhere to be found.

I believe police reform can’t wait. Recent tragedies have intensified the call for accountability — not only from the Chicago Police, but also the University of Chicago. #CPACNow

I believe new development should be overseen by local councils: Trust local knowledge and the power of deliberative discourse to find the best way forward.

A real progressive

Gabriel has the will and ability to stand up to the Chicago machine. He believes the people should direct the course of our communities, not entrenched politicians

Civic organizer

Gabriel is a co-founder of a videography program for high school students, a credit union, community gardens, a growers co-op, and a preservation group

Journalist

Gabriel learned his way around the South Side as a reporter for the Hyde Park Herald and returned to serve as editor of the Herald for 8 years

South Side resident

A Fifth Ward resident for 17 years, Gabriel has lived with his wife Mary in Woodlawn for 8 years

Engaged citizen

Board president of the St. Martin de Porres House of Hope; board member of the Northern Illinois Historic League

Endorsed by

The South Side chapter of Democracy for America (the organization founded by Vermont Governor Howard Dean)

Proudest achievement

Co-founding Woodlawn Voices and Visions, a videography program designed for Chicago Public Schools high school students

These three ideas drive us:

Inspiring civic action

Re-energizing citizens and fostering community engagement

Ignite the local economy

Putting all the assets of our ward to work for all of our residents

People-centered preservation

Nourishing and protecting what makes our neighborhoods special

Inspiring civic action

Re-energizing citizens and fostering community engagement

Liveable local economics

Putting all the assets of our ward to work for all of our residents

Strengthening local stewardship

Protecting what is special about our home

It will take our to make the change we need

Our platform (always a work in progress)

Employment

Development must bring local employment. Local entrepreneurs must have access to resources.

Preservation

We have to protect those aspects of our communities which make us unique.

Culture and the business of art

Our communities must support the arts and our neighbors who create the work we love.

Community Safety

We should all feel safe

Economics

Our prosperity must include all

Education

Our schools must serve the whole community. Our children must be broadly educated.

Civic participation

We must all be welcome at the decision-making table

Housing

Curing our housing crisis

Investing in teens

Our teen-aged youth need more than school. They need jobs and respect and room to grow.

(sign up to stay informed, or to get involved)

Gabriel Piemonte for alderman of the Fifth Ward: Our ward covers much of the South Lakefront on the South Side of Chicago. This website is for Fifth Ward voters who are interested in the race, people concerned about fairness and justice on the South Side, and people everywhere who are concerned about the redevelopment of Jackson Park, the Obama Center, and the Tiger Woods Golf Course. This site is for Hyde Park Academy alumni and current students and teachers who want someone in office who cares about their school. This site is for people who love public art and would like to see more of it in our communities. This city council seat covers parts of Hyde Park, Grand Crossing, South Shore, and Woodlawn. If you love the South Lakefront, you belong here.

We are located at 2136 E. 71st St. Call us at 773-717-2842 and email at gabriel@piemonteinthefifth.org.

Elect