Meet Richard

Let’s Move Forward

Chicago’s Ward 2 (Streeterville, Gold Coast, Old Town, River North, Lincoln Park) deserves an alderperson who represents all residents, not just a vocal few. Watch my campaign video to get to know me, hear my vision, and learn how to get involved.

While the status-quo has seen slowed growth and development, Ward 2 residents need an advocate to lower the cost of living by investing in our neighborhoods and residents.

As a young professional and renter myself, I understand the challenges facing working families who serve as the backbone of the Second Ward yet struggle to remain long-term. It’s time for us to move forward, before the status-quo moves us out.

Richard’s Plan:

Expand Chicago, Lower the Cost of Living, and Fight the Root Causes of Our Decline

Housing & Development

  • Champion high density developments to increase Ward 2’s housing supply and make housing more affordable

  • Encourage and incentivize developers to build more workforce housing for teachers, trades workers, and healthcare professionals

  • Take on special interests who impede housing development and constrain growth

Public Safety & Youth Violence Prevention

  • Implement evidence-based, long-term teen takeover prevention strategies in collaboration with law enforcement, public safety professionals, community leaders, and youth gathering organizers

  • Create safer streets through greater homeless community outreach and improved community violence initiatives in Ward 2 crime hotspots

  • Honor existing police consent decrees and create accountability mechanisms for violations of Chicago’s sanctuary city ordinances

Economic Development & Education

  • Leverage TIF funding for proven job training programs and business development opportunities

  • Provide permitting and inspection support for Ward 2 businesses to eliminate bottlenecks and chokepoints that slow our economy

  • Upgrade workforce development pipelines for our most at-risk teens and young people

Upgrade Transit Infrastructure and Safety

  • Increase CTA staffing and visible customer service personnel alongside real-time arrival information and rider communication

  • Expand Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) teams and mental health responders on transit in Ward 2

  • Expand protected bike lanes, curb bump-outs, and raised crosswalks in major hubs for pedestrians and bikers

  • Expand bus only lanes to Lakefront Trail and within major Ward 2 commercial districts

Protecting Women & Gender-Minority Residents

  • Expand and strengthen support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through partnerships with local nonprofits, police district leaders, and violence prevention groups

  • Improve coordination between police, hospitals, and victim service providers

  • Expand emergency call infrastructure and awareness for Ward 2 residents and visitors

  • Increase access to and awareness of mental and reproductive health resources

“I’m not part of the political machine or a dynasty—I’m your neighbor, a progressive lawyer, and a renter who chose Streeterville as my home. I believe Chicago is the greatest city in the world, but that status is under threat. It’s time to reverse our decline.”

-Richard Omoniyi-Shoyoola, Candidate for Ward 2 Alderperson