Maria Hadden

Maria Elaine Hadden is an American politician and community activist from Chicago. She is a member of the Chicago City Council, serving as alderperson for the city's 49th ward. She won election to that office after defeating 28-year incumbent Joe Moore in the 2019 election, and was reelected in 2023. The 49th ward includes most of Rogers Park and portions of West Ridge. She is a member of the Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus, and LGBT Caucus in the City Council.

Maria Hadden
Hadden in 2018
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 49th ward
Assumed office
May 20, 2019
Preceded byJoe Moore
Personal details
Born
Maria Elaine Hadden

(1981-01-20) January 20, 1981
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNatalia Vera
EducationOhio State University (BA)
DePaul University (MS)

Early life and education

Hadden was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1981.[1] She earned her bachelor's degree in international peace and conflict studies from the Ohio State University, and subsequently moved to Waukegan, Illinois to begin a job with the AmeriCorps VISTA program in 2003.[1][2][3] She moved to Chicago in 2004.[2] She later earned a master's degree in international public service management from DePaul University.[3]

Early activist and political career

Hadden was a founding board member of the Participatory Budgeting Project, where she worked from 2010 to 2018 to bring participatory budgeting to cities in the midwest and south.[1][4][5] She later served as the executive director of the non-profit Our City Our Voice.[4] She also served on the boards of directors of the non-profit Voqal and of Black Youth Project 100.[5][6] She has been an active member of Network 49, an independent political organization based in Rogers Park, and of United Working Families.[2]

Logo for Hadden's 2019 campaign for 49th ward alderwoman

On January 20, 2018, Hadden announced her campaign to run for alderman in the 49th ward, which covers most of Rogers Park and portions of West Ridge.[7] After the submission and processing of ballot petitions, Hadden and incumbent Joe Moore were the only candidates to make it on the ballot for the February 2019 election. Hadden's campaign emphasized development without displacement, funding local public schools, and supporting a strong local economy as key issues in the race.[3] She received several endorsements from progressive activist groups, labor unions, and local politicians such Chuy García and David Orr.[8] Although both candidates self-identified as progressives, observers and media outlets generally characterized Hadden as challenging Moore from the left.[9][10][11][12][13] Hadden won the election on February 26, 2019, with 63% of the vote.[14][15] She won a majority of the vote in 32 out of 33 precincts in the ward.[16] With her win, Hadden is the first queer woman of color to be elected to the Chicago City Council.[17][12][18][19] While Hadden is affiliated with the Democratic Party, she has said she would be an independent alderman.[19]

After her election, Hadden said that in her first few months in office, she would pursue a full assessment of infrastructure and services in the ward and set up an advisory committee for community engagement.[20] On April 10, 2019, Hadden 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.[21]

Chicago City Council (2019–present)

Hadden was sworn in as a member of Chicago City Council on May 20, 2019.[22][23]

City budget

Hadden was one of 11 aldermen who voted against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed 2020 budget, alongside 8 other members of the progressive caucus.[24] In a statement about her vote, Hadden stated, "I’m optimistic about the increased investments in housing, mental health care, homelessness prevention and concrete investments in the south and west sides of our city, but remain concerned that we haven’t exhausted all prospects of progressive revenue in order to take greater strides towards a budget that starts to repair decades of harm and inequity."[25] Prior to the vote, Hadden spoke with constituents about the budget at multiple town hall meetings.[26][27][28]

Public health

Hadden sponsored a "senior safety" ordinance, in collaboration with the Jane Addams senior caucus, that was passed in July 2020. The ordinance requires building managers in senior housing to conduct regular wellness checks on residents.[29]

Environmental issues

Hadden was an early co-sponsor of legislation to ban single-use plastics and styrofoam in most restaurants.[30]

Public health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hadden coordinated with state representative Kelly Cassidy and local community groups to create the Rogers Park community response team.[31][32] The team's stated goal is to help Rogers Park residents stay informed and access resources needed amid the social distancing and shelter-in-place measures in place during the crisis.[33][34][31] They have offered informational resources online, set up a hotline for residents to request advice, and volunteers trained to safely deliver groceries and prescriptions.[35][32]

In August 2021, Hadden pushed for the Chicago Park District to install life rings at lakefront beaches and parks, following a drowning death and ongoing efforts by neighborhood residents.[36][37] The Park District installed life rings in Rogers Park in September 2021 and pledged to add additional devices along the lakefront in subsequent months.[38]

Committees

During the 2019–23 term, Hadden is a member of eight standing committees in the City Council: economic, capital, and technology development; ethics and government oversight; environmental protection and energy; housing and real estate; human relations and health; special events, cultural affairs, and recreation; zoning, landmarks, and building standards; and committees and rules.[39][40]

Alliances and relationships

After winning her seat in the first round of the 2019 elections, Hadden endorsed several candidates vying for City Council seats in the run-off elections: Andre Vasquez, who defeated Patrick J. O'Connor (40th ward); Jessica Gutierrez, who challenged Ariel Reboyras (30th ward); and two candidates ran in open races: Matt Martin (47th ward) and Robert Murphy (39th ward).[41] She also announced support for other candidates in run-off elections who, like her, had been endorsed by United Working Families: Rossana Rodríguez Sanchez (33rd ward), Rafa Yañez (15th ward), and Jeanette Taylor (20th ward).[42] She declined to make an endorsement in the 2019 mayoral election, citing her goal of being an independent alderman as well as strong support received by both run-off candidates in the 49th ward in the first round.[19]

At the start of the 2019–2023 term, Hadden joined the City Council's Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus, and LGBT Caucus. She was selected as the treasurer for the Progressive Caucus.[43] She has also pledged to join the council's Women's Caucus.[19]

In the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, Hadden endorsed Brandon Johnson, who went on to win the election.[44]

Personal life

Hadden's longtime partner and spouse is Natalia Vera.[45][46] Vera was elected as a member of the local school council for Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park in April 2018.[45][47]

Electoral history
2023 Chicago aldermanic election, 49th Ward[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Maria Hadden (incumbent) 8,266 73.7
Nonpartisan Belia Rodriguez 1,867 16.6
Nonpartisan Bill Morton 1,086 9.7
Nonpartisan Willie Davis (write-in) 3 0.0
Total votes 11,222 100.0
Chicago 49th ward aldermanic election, 2019: General[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Maria Hadden 7,820 63.40
Nonpartisan Joe Moore (incumbent) 4,514 36.60
Total votes 12,334 100.00

See also

References
  1. "Maria Hadden for 49 | Meet Maria". www.mariafor49.org. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  2. SCENE Magazine (April 15, 2018). "Chicago, Meet Maria Hadden Civic Leader, Board of Director Member, Advocate". SCENE Chicago. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  3. "Maria Hadden | Previous Candidate for Chicago Ward 49 Board of Aldermen, Chicago Ward 49, Multiple Counties, Illinois | Vote-IL". vote-il.org. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  4. "Who We Are". Our City Our Voice. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  5. "Leadership". Voqal. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  6. Baudler, Liz (January 17, 2018). "Maria Hadden aiming to be first Black queer Chicago alderman, in 2019 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive". Windy City Times. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  7. Baudler, Liz (January 22, 2018). "Hadden holds fundraiser ahead of 2019 elections - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive". Windy City Times. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  8. "Maria Hadden for 49 | Endorsements". mariafor49.org. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  9. Armentrout, Mitchell (February 26, 2019). "North Side challengers oust Moore in 49th, force O'Connor into runoff in 40th". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  10. Bremer, Shelby (February 20, 2019). "49th Ward Election: Hadden Ousts Moore". NBC Chicago. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  11. McClelland, Edward. "Ten Chicago City Council Races to Watch". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  12. Dumke, Mick (February 27, 2019). "Chicago's Election Signals Break from the Past — in Wards and at City Hall". ProPublica. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  13. Kampf-Lassin, Miles (February 28, 2019). "Socialists Win Big in Chicago". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  14. Ballew, Jonathan (February 27, 2019). "Maria Hadden Ousts Longtime Ald. Joe Moore In 49th Ward". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  15. "Maria Hadden Unseats Incumbent Joe Moore In 49th Ward". chicago.cbslocal.com. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  16. rogersedgereporter (February 28, 2019). "Hadden Sweep Was Across the Ward". RogersEdge Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  17. Toledo, César. "Hadden, Maria". LGBTQ Victory Fund. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  18. Cherone, Heather (February 26, 2019). "With 75 percent of precincts reporting, and nearly 65 percent of the vote, Hadden declares victory over 49th Ward Ald. Joe Moore, who is in his 28th year in office. She would be the first LGBT woman of color to be elected to the City Council". @HeatherCherone. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  19. Ballew, Jonathan (March 7, 2019). "Rogers Park's Incoming Ald. Maria Hadden Says No Developer Donations For Her, More Immigrant Voices For Neighborhood". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  20. Yassine, Leen (March 20, 2019). "Hadden Gears up to Take Over as Alderwoman". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  21. 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 11, 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).
  22. "Chicago's Inauguration Day in Photos". NBC Chicago. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  23. "Congratulations to Maria Hadden". Ward 49. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  24. Spielman, Fran (November 26, 2019). "City Council approves Lightfoot's $11.6 billion budget — with 11 'no' votes". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  25. Hadden, Maria (November 26, 2019). "My Vote on the 2020 Budget". 49th Ward Newsletter. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  26. "City Budget Northside Town Hall". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  27. "Budget Town Hall with Ald. Maria Hadden". United Working Families. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  28. "49th Ward Monthly Town Hall". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  29. Czyzon, Sydney (July 22, 2020). "Seniors hope new ordinance passed by Chicago City Council will protect them during COVID-19: 'Like living a horror movie'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  30. Bauer, Kelly; Alani, Hannah (January 15, 2020). "Chicago Moves To Ban All Styrofoam, Single-Use Plastics". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  31. "49th Ward Weekly Newsletter - March 20, 2020". 49th Ward Weekly Update. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  32. Vevea, Becky (April 8, 2020). "From Grocery Shopping To Chats With The Elderly, Aldermen Are Focusing On Residents". WBEZ Chicago. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  33. Ward, Joe (March 19, 2020). "Rogers Park Residents Form Hotline, Huge Volunteer Team To Help Neighbors During Outbreak". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  34. "Rogers Park Community Response Team – Local resources for the COVID-19 outbreak". Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  35. Padar, Kayleigh (April 2, 2020). "Rogers Park 'Pulls Together' During Coronavirus Outbreak". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  36. "After Son Drowns Off Pratt Pier In Rogers Park, Mother To Meet With Park District To Push For Life Rings On Chicago Lakefront". CBS News Chicago. September 2, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  37. Ward, Joe (August 31, 2021). "After A 19-Year-Old Drowned Near Rogers Park Beach, A Neighbor Installed A Life Ring. The Park District Removed It". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  38. Ward, Joe (September 10, 2021). "Park District Adds Life Rings To Dangerous Rogers Park Pier After Weeks Of Controversy Over Lakefront Safety". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  39. Office of the City Clerk (May 29, 2019). "Appointment of chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of standing committees of City Council for Years 2019-2023". chicago.legistar.com. Resolution #R2019-345. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  40. Alderwoman Maria Hadden. "Yesterday I attended my first City Council meeting..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  41. Maria for 49th Ward Alderwoman (March 7, 2019). "I want to make sure that my endorsement comes with the people power that helped bring change in the 49th Ward. That is why this cycle I'm focusing on supporting the 4 candidates I've announced the past 2 days". @Mariafor49. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  42. Maria for 49th Ward Alderwoman (March 7, 2019). "In addition to these races, there are several other opportunities to bring progressive change to City Council. I encourage you to find a candidate you're passionate about and put in the work to get them elected. I specifically hope you support my fellow @UWFIllinois candidates". @Mariafor49. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  43. Chicago Tribune staff (June 12, 2019). "With new members, Chicago City Council members realign Progressive Reform Caucus". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  44. Ward, Joe (February 24, 2023). "Rogers Park Ald. Maria Hadden Endorses Brandon Johnson In Mayoral Race". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  45. Maria Hadden (January 6, 2019), Meet Maria: Chapter 3, retrieved February 27, 2019
  46. Hadden, Maria (March 29, 2019). "Facebook photo by Maria Hadden". www.facebook.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  47. "LSC Election Results". www.kilmerelementary.org. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  48. Chicago Board of Elections (March 15, 2023). "Tabulated Statement of the Returns and Proclamation of the Results of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the February 28, 2023 Municipal General and Alderperson Elections Held in Each of the Precincts in All the Wards in the City of Chicago" (PDF). Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  49. https://chicagoelections.gov/dm/SummaryReport.pdf?v=1551328290737
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