John Arena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Arena
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| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 45th ward |
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| In office May 16, 2011 – May 20, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Levar |
| Succeeded by | Jim Gardiner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1965-1966 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jill |
| Children | Two |
| Residence | Portage Park, Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Northern Illinois University (B.A.) |
| Profession | Politician |
John Arena is an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. From 2011 to 2019, he represented the 45th ward in the Chicago City Council.
John Arena's Political Journey
Serving as an Alderman
In 2011, John Arena was elected as an alderman for Chicago's 45th ward. An alderman is a person who represents a specific area, called a ward, in the city council. The 45th ward includes neighborhoods like Portage Park, Gladstone Park, Mayfair, Edgebrook, Forest Glen, and Jefferson Park.
In 2015, Arena was reelected for another four-year term. On February 26, 2019, he was defeated by Jim Gardiner in the election.
As an alderman, Arena was part of several important committees. These included committees for aviation, finance, and consumer protection. He also helped start the Chicago Progressive Reform Coalition. This group works to make changes in how the city is run.
Arena was known for supporting the creation of affordable housing. This means building homes that people with lower incomes can afford. He often worked to get these projects approved, even when some local residents did not agree.
He was also known for disagreeing with Mayor Rahm Emanuel on many issues.
After His Time as Alderman
After leaving the City Council, John Arena continued to work in public service. On September 30, 2019, he was hired by Mayor Lori Lightfoot's team. He worked as a special advisor in the city's planning department. He had supported Mayor Lightfoot in her election.
In December 2019, there were claims that Arena had been involved in political activities. These claims suggested he had caused problems at a community meeting. He resigned from his job in the city's Planning Department the next month.
In 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration hired Arena. His job was to talk to lawmakers in Springfield, Illinois. He worked to get support for the city's plans and goals.
