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Byron Sigcho-Lopez

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Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 25th ward
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 20, 2019
Preceded byDaniel Solis
Personal details
Born (1983-07-07) July 7, 1983 (age 41)
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

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Sigcho-Lopez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador.[6] Sigcho-Lopez earned a bachelor's degree from Cumberland University in Tennessee, and a Master's from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Political career

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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

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

See also

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References

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  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.
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