John Pope (alderman)

John A. Pope is alderman of the 10th ward of the City of Chicago. He was first elected in 1999 and is currently serving his fourth term.

Early life

Alderman John A. Pope is a lifelong resident of the 10th Ward. Both his parents and grandparents resided in the 10th Ward as well. Bill Pope, John’s father, made his living in the steel mills of the South Side.^{[citation needed]}

John followed two of his brothers to Mount Carmel High School where he participated in extra-curricular activities and various sports. While at Mount Carmel, John was on the National Honors Society, played football, and served as the team’s captain his senior year. Upon graduation, John attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana where he was a member of the Student Council, played football, and graduated with a degree in economics.^{[citation needed]}

Public service

Following graduation from college John chose to return to Chicago and pursue a career in public service. He worked in the City of Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management for 3 years as an Analyst where he worked closely with various City departments to create responsible budgets to allow for the effective and efficient use of City resources. John’s career with the city included serving the Building Department as Director of Demolition, Director of Conservation, and later joined the Mayor’s Office as an assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley responsible for neighborhood improvement and infrastructure programs. John was directly responsible for helping neighborhoods improve the quality of life for the residents, businesses, and visitors.^{[citation needed]} He accomplished this by maximizing the use of various City economic development tools, City services, and leveraging private sector investments.^{[citation needed]} He also worked with countless private and public sector entities to bring much needed services to the communities.^{[citation needed]}

Aldermanic career

Given Alderman Pope's deep ties in the community and the valuable knowledge he gained while serving the City, John decided to run for office and make a difference in the neighborhood which he has called home his entire life.^{[citation needed]}

John became alderman of the 10th Ward on May 3, 1999 when he was sworn in at the City of Chicago’s City Council meeting. John was re-elected in 2003 when he was unopposed, in 2007 and again in 2011.

Since elected Alderman, Alderman Pope has been committed to improving the quality of life in the 10th Ward.^{[citation needed]} Alderman Pope continues to focus on improving education, reducing crime, and creating more economic development opportunities in the Ward.^{[citation needed]} Alderman Pope has also been a strong champion for seniors and veterans.^{[citation needed]}

Alderman Pope works on the city Finance, Budget, and Government Operations, Housing & Real Estate, Health and Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Transportation Committees.

During recent years he has supported several critical items that affect the Ward including the Big Box Ordinance, immigration reform, affordable housing initiatives, the extension of the Landfill Moratorium, the Leucadia Development, and the redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel properties.^{[citation needed]}

Alderman Pope is an active participant in the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program which improves the quality of life by creating partnerships between local businesses and residents, Police and City agencies. He is also a member of various community based organizations including the Hegewisch, East Side and South Chicago Chambers of Commerce, YMCAh, Hegewisch Community Committee, South Chicago Parents, Southeast Environmental Task Force, Calumet Ecological Park Association (CEPA), and the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC).^{[citation needed]}

Pope used a $1.3M taxpayer-funded payroll account, available to aldermen with no scrutiny, to hire a former Streets and Sanitation worker who was banned from reemployment by the city. The worker, Thomas Sadzak resigned from the department in 2005, after city officials recommended he be fired over allegations he sexually harassed a co-worker, according to court documents. He was placed on a list of former employees who should not be re-hired, according to a source. Pope hired Sadzak and paid him nearly $18,000 from January 2008 until July 2009, according to the records. During some of that time, Sadzak also appeared on the regular city payroll, records show. Pope also hired the mother of Al Sanchez, the former city Streets and Sanitation commissioner convicted last year on charges he rigged city hiring to reward people loyal to Daley and his political allies. Al Sanchez was a leader of the Hispanic Democratic Organization, which helped get Pope elected.

External links

• City of Chicago