Controversy Overshadows Issues In 1st Ward Aldermanic Election

CHICAGO — While only one candidate, Daniel La Spata, is trying to unseat 1st Ward Ald. Joe "Proco" Moreno, the battle hasn't been a quiet one — both have flung insults and accusations at each other since La Spata's campaign launched. Residents in Wicker Park, Hermosa, Logan Square and Noble Square will be voting for their top pick Feb. 26, but after recent controversies, some have been left feeling like there's slim pickings.

The city council is responsible for adopting the city budget and levying taxes. It's also tasked with creating and amending city laws, policies and ordinances.

Joe "Proco" Moreno

Editorial boards with both the and the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune endorsed Moreno; however the Sun-Times board was quick to point out that "he can be an annoying guy" — citing several odd controversies that he's been involved with, which included an accusation of him impersonating a police officer and another accusation of him filing a false police report involving a stolen car.

Despite these reports, the Sun-Times said Moreno has been a "leader in pushing for affordable housing, and he was the force behind an ordinance that requires employers to give part-time employees paid sick days."

Another accusation against Moreno surfaced Tuesday — one of his ex-aides said the alderman told staff in 2015 to take off their shirts for a 'contest,' according to a report by WBEZ.

"Moreno has shown no hesitation to abuse the powers of his office," La Spata said in a scathing Facebook post against his opponent. "He's taken no responsibility for his actions and has proven once again that he does not deserve to represent anyone."

Moreno's office released the following statement in response to the accusation:

A week before the election, a former employee and current campaign ally of my opponent has made absurd, false charges that can be refuted by witnesses. In a 2015 staff ‘exit memo’, which [she] leaked to the press, she claimed that her departure from my office was due to "less pay... inadequate benefits and an endless stream of service requests (which is) is entirely too much to shoulder." In 2019, six days before election day, truth has morphed into character assassination.

A Wicker Park resident for more than two decades, Moreno has been the 1st Ward alderman since 2010.

His first elected position was a member of the Local School Council for Jose De Diego Community Academy. He also served as a board member of Humboldt Park Social Services.

In 2015, he was granted a Chairmanship with the Committee on Human Relations, and a year later, he became Chairman of the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.

Daniel La Spata

Born and raised in New Jersey, La Spata moved to Chicago for college. He was a board member with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association for more than a decade, before he became the organization's vice president.

His priorities in the neighborhood association include housing and community development. La Spata helped to build new affordable housing such as the Zapata Apartments. He also pushed to direct TIF funds to affordable housing and fought to pass legislation that protects renters in properties facing foreclosure.

He also worked as a community organizer with Jane Addams Senior Caucus.

Unfortunately La Spata is not controversy-free — earlier this month he was blasted for a 2013 picture in which he was wearing a banana costume posing with friends in monkey masks.

South Side Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, said he has "no interest in having a colleague in the City Council who would participate in this sort of bigotry.”

La Spata released a statement saying the photo does not represent who he is.

“I apologize unequivocally for the photo from my bachelor party six years ago,” La Spata said. “The photograph and the costumes were not racially motivated, but I understand how it could be perceived. As alderman, I will use my office to break down racial inequities in our ward and city, as I’ve done personally and professionally for the last thirteen years.”

For more information on voting in the city's municipal election, click here.

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