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 2011 – May 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 is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2011 to 2019, he served on the Chicago City Council. He represented the 45th ward in Chicago.
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John Arena's Public Service
Serving as an Alderman
In 2011, John Arena was elected as an alderman. An alderman is a local elected official. They represent a specific area, called a ward, in a city council. The 45th ward includes several Chicago neighborhoods. These are Portage Park, Gladstone Park, Mayfair, Edgebrook, Forest Glen, and Jefferson Park.
In 2015, Arena was reelected for another four-year term. However, in the election on February 26, 2019, he was defeated. Jim Gardiner became the new alderman for the 45th ward.
What an Alderman Does
As an alderman, John Arena worked on many important city issues. He was part of several committees. These committees focused on things like aviation, city rules, and economic development. He also worked on finance, consumer protection, and special events.
Arena was a founding member of the Chicago Progressive Reform Coalition. This group works to make government better. He also served as the Democratic Ward Committeeman for the 45th Ward. This role helps organize the Democratic Party in his local area.
John Arena was known for supporting affordable housing. He believed in creating more homes that people could afford. He was also a strong voice against Mayor Rahm Emanuel on some issues.
After Being an Alderman
After his time as an alderman, John Arena continued to work for the city. In September 2019, he joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot's team. He became a special advisor in the city's planning department. Mayor Lightfoot had received his support during her election.
He later resigned from this position in January 2020.
