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Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 25th ward
Assumed office
May 20, 2019
Preceded byDaniel Solis
Personal details
Born (1983-07-07) July 7, 1983 (age 40)
Ecuador[1]
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCumberland University (BA)
University of Illinois, Chicago (MA)

Byron Sigcho-Lopez (born July 7, 1983) is a Chicago politician and community activist. He is the alderman of Chicago's 25th ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He won an open race to succeed outgoing alderman Daniel Solis in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic election.[2][3] He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[4] He was elected as 25th Ward Democratic Committeeperson in 2020.[5]

Early life and education

Sigcho-Lopez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador.[6] Sigcho-Lopez earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Mathematics from Cumberland University in Tennessee, and a Master's in Economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is pursuing a PhD in Policy Studies in Urban Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Political career

Sigcho-Lopez unsuccessfully challenged Danny Solis in the 2015 Chicago 25th Ward aldermanic election.

In 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was elected to succeed outgoing 25th Ward alderman Danny Solis.

On April 10, 2019, prior to being sworn in, Sigcho-Lopez joined six other newly elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.[7]

Sigcho-Lopez assumed office May 20, 2019.

On June 12, 2019, Sigcho-Lopez demanded a review of all permits and licenses approved by disgraced former Alderman Danny Solis.[8]

In November 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget.[9] He joined all five other members of the Socialist Caucus in signing a letter to Lightfoot which criticized her budget for "an over-reliance on property taxes" and "regressive funding models" that are "burdensome to our working-class citizens, while giving the wealthy and large corporations a pass."[10] Sigcho-Lopez, over the course of Lightfoot's mayoralty, would be regarded to be a vocal critic of her.[11]

On March 22, 2024, Sigcho-Lopez spoke at a City Hall rally against the Israel–Hamas war where Marine veteran Zachary Kam had burned a flag that he had flown while on tour in Afghanistan, prompting some of Sigcho-Lopez's City Council colleagues to call for him step down as chairman of the Council's Housing Committee.[12] On April 1, 2024, a resolution to remove him as chair failed 29 to 16.[13]

Personal life

Sigcho-Lopez is married to Loreen Targos. In June 2022, Sigcho-Lopez and Targos became parents to triplets.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Myers, Quinn (2018-11-14). "Meet the Challengers: Byron Sigcho Lopez". South Side Weekly. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  2. ^ Zamudio, Maria Ines (3 April 2019). "Byron Sigcho-Lopez To Replace Ald. Danny Solis In Chinatown, Pilsen". WBEZ. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  3. ^ Peña, Mauricio (2019-04-02). "Fierce Solis Critic Byron Sigcho Lopez Wins Seat To Become 25th Ward's First New Alderman In Two Decades". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  4. ^ "Socialists Surge to Victories in Chicago City Council". CBS Chicago. 2019-04-03.
  5. ^ "Election Results". Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  6. ^ Democratic Socialism Is the Only Way to Challenge the System We Have SARAH HURD, Jacobin, 02.17.2019
  7. ^ Spielman, Fran (April 10, 2019). "City Council OKs $1.6 billion in subsidies for Lincoln Yards, 'The 78'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019. Joining the protesters were seven newly-elected progressive aldermen: Daniel La Spata (1st); Mike Rodriguez (22nd); Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th); Andre Vasquez (40th); Matt Martin (47th) and Maria Hadden (49th).
  8. ^ Spielman, Fran (2019-06-12). "Solis replacement demands review of permits and licenses approved by disgraced alderman". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  9. ^ Spielman, Fran (26 November 2019). "City Council approves Lightfoot's $11.6 billion budget — with 11 'no' votes". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  10. ^ Bremer, Shelby (26 November 2019). "Chicago City Council Passes Lightfoot's Budget Proposal". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  11. ^ Schulte, Sarah (February 27, 2023). "Chicago 25th Ward alderman race: Aida Flores hopes to unseat 1st term Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez | abc7chicago.com". abc7chicago.com. WLS-TV. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  12. ^ Schulte, Sarah (March 27, 2024). "Chicago aldermen condemn Ald. Sigcho-Lopez for attending rally at which American flag burned | abc7chicago.com". abc7chicago.com. WLS-TV. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  13. ^ Horng, Eric (April 1, 2024). "Sigcho-Lopez will remain chair of Chicago Committee on Housing and Real Estate after flag burning | abc7chicago.com". abc7chicago.com. WLS-TV. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  14. ^ Savedra, Madison (23 June 2022). "Pilsen Alderman And Wife Welcome Triplets". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 26 September 2022.

External links

Members of the Chicago City Council
Committeepeople of the Cook County Democratic Party
Categories