WEST TOWN — Six candidates are seeking the Near West (12th) police district council seats. The district includes parts of West Town, West Loop, Pilsen, Ukrainian Village and East Garfield Park.
Credit: Kirk Williamson for the Chicago ReaderLeonardo Quintero
An organizer around youth and family issues such as schools, jails, and funding, Quintero says, “By prioritizing both police accountability and restorative justice, it is possible to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system that promotes public safety and helps to build stronger, more trusting relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
He is running on a slate with Chloe Vitale and Michelle Page.
Sens. Celina Villanueva and Javier Cervantes, the Independent Voters of Illinois–IPO, and Run for Something have endorsed. Quintero received a Badge of Courage from the Empowered Communities Voter Guide.
 Activist or organizer |  Supports more police accountability |  Political endorsement |
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? No
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
- CPD reform: The police need significant 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?
- Establishing civilian control of the police department
- Other: “Building programming to increase public safety”
Why are you running for Police District Council?
Police accountability ensures that officers are held to high standards of professionalism and integrity, and that they are held accountable for their actions if they fail to meet these standards. Restorative justice programs, on the other hand, focus on repairing the harm caused by crime and addressing the underlying causes of that harm. By prioritizing both police accountability and restorative justice, it is possible to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system that promotes public safety and helps to build stronger, more trusting relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Juan Lopez
Lopez was an Illinois state police trooper from 2009 to 2018.
In 2015, he was charged with seven felony counts for firing six shots into his ex-girlfriend’s home after seeing her with another man. He was acquitted of the felonies, for which he was facing a minimum of 26 years in prison, and convicted of misdemeanor reckless conduct, for which he received 18 months of court supervision.
 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? No answer
- 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 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
- Helping the police do a better job
Why are you running for Police District Council?
The 12th district is one of the largest districts in the city of Chicago. A few of the issues that we are facing are high crime rates due to shortage in officers, community mistrust, mental health issues, and violent crimes needing to be fully prosecuted from start to end. Ensuring these topics continue to be a prime focus and working with the community to ensure we are kept in the loop as changes occurred.
Michelle D. Page
A CPS teacher assistant, Page has worked with the Community Renewal Society, a faith-based organization that addresses racism and poverty and helped work to get the ECPS ordinance passed. “I know all too well how Black and Brown people are treated, or shall I say mistreated,” she says. “This is an opportunity to change some of the wrongs that have been going on for so long.”
Activist or organizer | 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? No
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
- CPD reform: The police need significant 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?
- Other: “Working with the community around police issues and public safety issues.”
Why are you running for Police District Council?
I’ve worked very hard and a long time to get ECPS passed. I know all to well how Black and Brown people are treated, or shall I say mistreated. This is an opportunity to change some of the wrongs that has been going on for so long. I’ve in my community all my life. No one is better able to represent it than me. Someone who’s lived, worked, worship, and advocates for this community already.
William Guerrero
A 21-year-old artist from Pilsen, Guerrero has organized community events such as open mikes, pop-ups, and peace initiatives. He says he wants to bring a youth’s perspective to the district council. He says he’s running to hold elected officials and public servants accountable and make sure there is accountability and transparency from them. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) has endorsed.
“As someone at the age of 21, I completely am aware of the challenges we face in our community,” Guerrero says. “It would be a disservice to lay back and do nothing. Since 2019 I’ve been active in volunteering and advocacy work. Hosting youth-led vendor markets, open mics, and much more events for Pilsen.”
Activist or organizer | Supports more police accountability | Political endorsement |
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? No
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
- CPD reform: The police should be defunded or abolished.
- 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?
- Establishing civilian control of the police department
- Other: “Holding our elected officials/public servants accountable and making sure there is Accountability and transparency from them as well.”
Why are you running for Police District Council?
I’m running as the youngest candidate at the age of 21 because I truly believe that the young people need to be at the table when it comes to public safety and overseeing the police. It is imperative to hold our public servants and elected officials accountable now more than ever. Effective communication and transparency is what will help us in rebuilding the trust amongst community members. This position needs to be community-led. Those running for this position need to have experience when it comes to organizing and advocating for the community needs. I know I have the experience for this position. I’m passionate and have the energy for what I do today because of my family and community.
Chloe Vitale
A journalist who has worked with City Bureau’s Documenters program, Vitale is also a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 21.
“I marched for the ECPS ordinance when it was #CPACnow,” Vitale says. “I have also participated in rallies to release people convicted of nonviolent crimes during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also joined Ja’Mal Green to close down Chase Bank branches until they decided to answer for their massive disinvestment on Chicago’s South and West sides.”
Activist or organizer | 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? No
- Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
- CPD reform: The police should be defunded or abolished.
- Mental health crises: The police should be defunded or abolished.
What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?
- Establishing civilian control of the police department
Why are you running for Police District Council?
This is a historic election, the first opportunity for democratic oversight of the police. There is an opportunity to set this off on the right foot and bolster it as this is the first of its kind. But there is also an opportunity for obstruction by the Fraternal Order of Police. It is very important to me that the police district council be a fair and impartial body of community members, as it was written.
John Donatelli
A real estate broker who lives in the West Loop, Donatelli says he’s concerned with crime and accountability. He hopes “to further open dialogue between the [police] district and the neighborhood” and says the CPD’s budget should be increased.
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? No
- Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
- Do you have experience working or interacting with government? No
- Should the city hire more police officers? Yes
- Is CPD adequately funded? No: funding should be increased.
- 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?
- Helping the police do a better job
- Communicating with the department on behalf of the community
Why are you running for Police District Council?
Concern with crime in my neighborhood. Concern with accountability. Hope to further open dialogue between the district and the neighborhood.
