Better Know A Ward: Rey Colon's 35th

" Recently Ward Room sent a questionnaire to every member of the City Council, with the aim of learning more about every ward. One of Chicago’s strengths is that we’re a city of strong neighborhood identities. One of our weaknesses is that we don’t spend enough time in each others’ neighborhoods. South Siders don’t visit the North Side. North Siders don’t venture west of Western Avenue or south of Roosevelt Road. Northwest and Southwest Siders do their shopping in the suburbs. This series aims to correct that by inviting aldermen to tell you about the neighborhoods they represent -- and about themselves.

The first to respond to our questionnaire was Ald. Rey Colon, whose 35th Ward encompasses the Logan Square neighborhood.

1. How would you spend an ideal Saturday afternoon in your ward? Riding my bicycle to visit different block parties, events and garage sales. 2. Why and when did you decide to run for the City Council? I was encouraged by local residents to run in 1999 when I was a Park District Area Manager over a conflict with the last alderman [Vilma Colom]. She refused to build a basketball court that the community demanded. I lost the 1999 election with 40% of the vote, but returned in 2003 to win with 60%. "

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