MORGAN PARK — Five candidates are seeking the Morgan Park (22nd) police district council seats. The district includes parts of Morgan Park, Beverly and Mt. Greenwood.
Meet them below.
Credit: Kirk Williamson for the Chicago ReaderLee Bielecki
A retired CPD sergeant, Bilecki has said, “the best results are when the community partners with the police,” and that he is running “to listen and help give community members a voice [and] to give the police input as well.”
The Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed.
 Ties to police or FOP |
Candidate questionnaire responses
- Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes*
- Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
- Do you have experience working or interacting with government? Yes
- Should the city hire more police officers? Yes
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.
- CPD reform: The police are doing a good job, and need more resources.
- Mental health crises: Police should accompany healthcare workers to mental health crises.
*I have organized several events for police officers as well as clothing drives for the homeless.
What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?
- Communicating with the department on behalf of the community
Why are you running for Police District Council?
To help police/community relations in my district.
Carisa Parker
A healthcare professional, Parker has been chair of Morgan Park High School’s Local School Council for a decade. Her son is a Chicago police officer, and she co-founded Moms of CPD, a group that aims to create positive interactions between officers and community members.
In a since-deleted Facebook comment, Parker wrote, “I am a survivor of domestic violence at the hand of a Chicago police officer and was victimized by a system that protects officers. I am an advocate for holding CPD accountable for hiring more Black and Brown officers to be guardians of our neighborhoods! I live in one of the most violent beats in the 22nd District and want to feel safe in my community, just like my neighbors and the hundreds of people whose doors I have knocked on.
“I have volunteered for over a decade to advocate for Black children victimized by lack of equity in CPS. Do I support my children, including my son? Of course I do because I’m a great mom with amazing children, all working to make a difference in the world. I am an advocate for accountability for all. I am the only candidate trained and versed in restorative justice. I am the only candidate running in 22 who has relationships with residents and community leaders in every single corner of the district, and across the city for that matter. And that is what this role needs. Someone who can bring people together for healing and collaboration and do the job that many alderpeople in this city haven’t been able to do.”
 Activist or organizer | Ties to police or FOP |
Candidate questionnaire responses:
- Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
- Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
- Do you have experience working or interacting with government? Yes
- Should the city hire more police officers? Yes
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.
- CPD reform: The police need training and some reform.
- Mental health crises: Police should not be involved in mental health crisis calls at all.
What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?
- Communicating with the department on behalf of the community
Why are you running for Police District Council?
I am running for District Council because I believe in the power of community. As a member of this council, I hope to first, ensure that residents are educated about district councils and secondly, create opportunities for them to have a valued voice in what policing looks like in their neighborhoods. I am also running because I want to ensure that the areas in the 22nd District most impacted by public safety issues are represented.
Patrick Kennedy
A resident of Mount Greenwood, Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment.
The Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed.
The candidate has not yet responded to our questionnaire.
Ties to police or FOP |
Matthew Bianciotto
A resident of Mount Greenwood, Bianciotto did not respond to requests for comment.
The candidate has not yet responded to our questionnaire.
Andre Pate
Pate, who has worked in the Cook County Circuit Court for over 20 years, is an operations manager for the Cook County Clerk’s Office. He’s running “to create an environment of accountability, trust, and collaboration.”
 Supports more police accountability |
Candidate questionnaire responses:
- Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
- Do you have experience interacting with CPD? No
- Do you have experience working or interacting with government? No
- Should the city hire more police officers? Yes
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.
- CPD reform: The police need training and some reform.
- Mental health crises: Police should accompany healthcare workers to mental health crises.
What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?
- Communicating with the department on behalf of the community
Why are you running for Police District Council?
I’m running to serve on the Police District Council because first and foremost I have a passion for public service. I also believe that my skill sets and experience would allow me to adequately service in this capacity. I think that we all have a responsibility to lend our talents, skills, efforts, energy and time to the betterment of respective communities. This mindset is even more important as it relates to the office of Police District Councils, given [the newness] of the post and its need in the community. The partnership between the Police Department and the community they service is vital to public safety and currently a missing piece of the equation relative to reducing crime. We have to create an environment of accountability, trust, and collaboration.
