Better Know A Ward: Proco "Joe" Moreno's 1st

" The 1st Ward is shaped like a fishhook snagging parts of Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square. It also snags two disparate constituencies: younger whites who migrated to Chicago from elsewhere in the Midwest and Latinos who grew up in local schools, churches and the Democratic machine.

Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno, who grew up in Moline, speaks Spanish and listens to Minor Threat, has done an excellent job of bridging both groups. In November, Moreno hosted a “live band punk karaoke” fund-raiser at Quenchers Saloon. The alderman has also proposed or sponsored progressive initiatives like on-street bike parking, banning plastic bags at large stores and decriminalizing marijuana.

The ward’s attractions include the Congress Theater, the Double Door nightclub, the Wicker Park fountain and Myopic, one of the finest used bookstores in Chicago. But, as Moreno notes in one of his answers, parking is hell and Chicago Parking LLC tickets Milwaukee Avenue hard!

1.       How would you spend an ideal Saturday afternoon in your ward?  

In the summer, visiting all of the wonderful block parties. (Wicker Park Fest is this Saturday and Sunday, on Milwaukee Avenue between North and Paulina.)

2.       Why and when did you decide to run for the City Council? "

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