Alderman Hopkins currently represents the 2nd Ward, including portions of Wicker Park, Old Town, Ukrainian Village and Bucktown. Since 2015 he has served his constituents and may even make an entrance into the mayoral race at any point after currently holding office.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly defended Chicago’s sanctuary city status and dismissed attempts to bring it up for vote as “distractions.” Hopkins disagrees and views it as necessary.
What if We’d Vote All Over Again?
The Democratic Party prides itself on being the party of democracy. If we truly believe this to be the case, however, then we must ensure we do everything possible to give voters an impactful voice in their democratic processes.
At Stockyards Garage in Stockton, supporters of 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee were loud in their cheering as they witnessed her race alongside family and friends. Coca-Cola and Michelob Ultra was served to them while upbeat songs from Whitney Houston and Bill Withers played over the speakers.
Alderman Hopkins is a resident of Chicago’s 2nd Ward and two-time President of Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR), an esteemed community group. At SOAR, she successfully solved complex community issues from multiple viewpoints, serving on the Lakeshore Planning Committee which established plans for public parkland along Chicago’s lakefront as well as fighting environmental contamination at former industrial sites in her neighborhood.
Alfredo Alvarez of Belmont Cragin agreed, attributing low voter turnout to Chicagoans? historic disdain of politicians. To properly select their candidate(s), people need to know who stands before them in order to make informed choices when casting ballots.
What if We’d Vote to Keep Sanctuary Status?
Sanctuary cities is not a legal term; rather it refers to local governments that pledge their protection of immigrant communities while refusing ICE access to services that they provide. Advocates believe such policies make immigrants feel secure enough to report crimes more readily.
President Trump has made sanctuary cities a top target of his administration, and while various courts have struck down some of his more stringent anti-sanctuary laws, harmful legislation across the nation aims to stop localities from passing sanctuary measures.
Alderman Hopkins’ initiative are laws prohibiting city employees from asking residents their immigration status when providing services; as an advocate of environmental, sustainability and resiliency initiatives he led neighborhood art registry laws and condo-privacy protections as well as collaborative policing strategies between CPD and community organizations. He also served on Lakeshore Planning Committee advocating for bold plans that bring open green space and public parkland to Chicago area residents.
What if We’d Vote to Make Sanctuary Status Permanent?
Sanctuary policies vary based on region and are frequently expressed differently by workers in various capacities. While some focused on strengthening immigrant safety within existing systems, others advocated for broad reforms that would address structural oppression across institutions.
Participants in the study identified several policy limitations of sanctuary policies, including their inability to prevent deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and use of local police for immigration enforcement (Kuge, 2020). Furthermore, participants highlighted tensions between how these policies are promoted and implemented.
Alderman Hopkins has prioritized economic development issues for Chicagoans as the 2nd ward alderman, advocating for affordable housing and working to preserve open space in Chicago’s neighborhoods. Hopkins holds his degree from University of Illinois-Springfield (Sangamon State). Prior to being elected City Councillor, Hopkins twice served as president of Streeterville Organization of Active Residents where he solved complex community issues using grassroots solutions.
What if We’d Vote to End Sanctuary Status?
As Central American migrants flee economic collapse and violence, City Council members Beale and Lopez have proposed asking voters on March’s primary ballot if Chicago should maintain its sanctuary city status. Under current policy, city employees do not report anyone’s immigration status to federal authorities and services are provided regardless of citizenship status or immigration status.
Last week, a City Council meeting on this issue ended without being put to vote after supporters of its resolution were unable to secure enough quorum support. Debate quickly turned heated; allegations of bullying by Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), caught blocking other Council members from entering his chamber as captured on camera were levelled against him and which ultimately lead to him stepping down as floor leader and chair of Zoning Committee respectively.
Participants identified limitations to sanctuary policies’ ability to address structural violence against immigrants. Some suggested passing additional policies modeled on policies adopted from other localities or states with an eye toward mitigating exclusion across institutions; others advocated for non-reformist or radical solutions like abolishing ICE or creating coalitions across groups.
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