Meet Richard

Let’s Move Forward

Chicago’s Second Ward includes Streeterville, Gold Coast, Old Town, River North, and Lincoln Park. It 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, Second Ward 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.

Learn more about my campaign policy priorities below.

Richard’s Plan:

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

Housing Development & Tenant Protection

  • Champion high density affordable development with zoning reform and on-site affordability requirements

  • Promote transit oriented development by encouraging more housing near CTA stations and major bus corridors

  • Expand tenant billing relief eligibility for water leakage, utilities, and related debt

  • Defend against federal budget cuts to ensure vulnerable populations are housed properly

Public Safety & Youth Violence Prevention

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

  • Create safer streets through improved homeless community outreach, community violence initiatives, and rehabilitative treatment over trauma-inducing crackdowns

  • Strengthen accountability mechanisms for police consent decrees and sanctuary city ordinances

  • Expand the coverage of crisis response teams to emergency hotspots in the Second Ward

Business & Workforce Development

  • Allocate grant funding for proven job training programs and business development opportunities in the Second Ward

  • Remove unnecessary zoning, licensing, permitting, and inspection requirements that harm investment opportunities and slow growth

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

  • Streamline the approval process for new businesses by allowing by-right special uses with clear standards

Upgrading Transit Infrastructure

  • Increase visible CTA staffing and customer service personnel to improve safety, rider assistance, and real-time communication

  • Improve coordination between bus and rail routes to prevent congestion and missed connections for transit riders

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

  • Expand bus-only lanes to and within major Second Ward business districts like Michigan Avenue and Division Street

“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 Second Ward Alderperson