PILSEN — Housing advocacy and activist groups will host a 25th Ward Candidate forum Thursday night in Pilsen that’s expected to include all five candidates vying to replace outgoing — and embattled — Ald. Danny Solis.
Chicago Housing Initiative, Pilsen Alliance, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Access Living and Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing will host the forum from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Pius V Parish, 1919 S. Ashland Ave.
All five candidates seeking to replace Solis — Alex Acevedo, Hilario Dominguez, Aida Flores, Troy Hernandez and Byron Sigcho Lopez — are expected to attend the forum, Block Club Chicago confirmed. The panel will be moderated by Jacqueline Serrato of Hoy.
Sigcho Lopez previously served as the executive director of Pilsen Alliance, one of the groups hosting the forum.
Candidates will be asked a range of questions regarding housing and accessibility, including their plans to combat gentrification, expand affordable housing and neighborhood accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
Thursday night’s forum will be the third forum 25th Ward candidates have participated in to date.
The first forum was held on Jan. 12, where candidates discussed a host of issues including housing and rent control. The candidates also faced off in a forum Wednesday night in the West Loop.
Related: We Need More Affordable Housing In Pilsen, 25th Ward Candidates Say At Forum
Three other 25th Ward candidate forums are scheduled in Pilsen and Chinatown.
On Monday, Jan. 28, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) will host a forum starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Pui Tak Center, 2216 S. Wentworth Ave.
On Wednesday, Jan. 30, a number of Pilsen groups — including the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, Alivio Medical Center, The Resurrection Project, Centro Sin Fronteras, El Valor, Gads Hill Center and Frida Kahlo Community Organization — will host a forum at 7 p.m. at Benito Juarez High School, 1450-1510 W. Cermak Road.
And on Tuesday, Feb. 5, St. Procopius Catholic Church will host a bilingual forum at 7 p.m. at the church, 1641 S. Allport St.
Late last year, Solis announced he would not be seeking re-election, leaving the race wide open to five candidates.
A bombshell Sun-Times report Wednesday revealed that Ald. Danny Solis (25th) wore a wire for two years as part of the federal investigation into powerful Ald. Ed Burke (14th), who has been charged with attempted extortion.
Solis is expected to step down from the seat immediately, according to the report.
RELATED: Ald. Danny Solis Secretly Recorded Ed Burke For The FBI, Sun-Times Reports
This will be the first time the ward, which includes all or parts of Pilsen, the West Loop, the South Loop and Chinatown, will have a new alderman in more than 20 years.
RELATED: Ald. Danny Solis Won’t Seek Re-Election After 2 Decades In Office
The municipal election is Feb. 26. If no candidate in an aldermanic race receives a majority of votes, they’ll head to a runoff election April 2.
RELATED 25th WARD COVERAGE
Pilsen Data Scientist, Environmental Group Leader Running For 25th Ward Seat Held By Solis
Pilsen Alliance Director, Educator Announces Aldermanic Run For 25th Ward Seat Held By Solis
Former Teacher, Pilsen Native Announces Aldermanic Run For 25th Ward Seat Held By Solis
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