Knudsen Statement on 43rd Ward Aldermanic Appointment
“I’m excited to get to work for the residents of the 43rd Ward,” says Knudsen as Community Leaders Rally Behind Appointment
Chicago — Candidate for 43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen released the following statement on Mayor Lightfoot’s appointment.
“After hearing directly from residents over the last six weeks, it is clear that the 43rd Ward seeks fresh leadership and an alderman who is responsive and will facilitate community conversation around issues affecting the ward. Neighbors have told me that they want an alderman who will fight for public safety and public schools, foster open dialogue and champion local community leaders and organizations every step of the way. As Alderman, I will work every day to answer that call.
“As I have throughout my legal career, my public service chairing the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals and my time as a grassroots organizer, I will be an advocate and consensus builder as alderman — someone who actively engages with people on all sides of an issue and seeks to find common ground. I bring a passion for private sector results to public service to reach creative solutions that will benefit our community. For one, I will immediately look to invest aldermanic menu dollars in public safety and innovate the ward office to provide top-tier constituent services that are the bedrock of any alderperson’s job.
“I want to thank the 43rd Ward Appointment Committee and Mayor Lightfoot for their careful consideration, thorough review process and the opportunity to serve the 43rd Ward as Alderman. I am honored to have a new way to give back to the community I call home and the opportunity bring a fresh perspective tothe 43rd Ward and City Council. I look forward to building relationships with my colleagues in City Hall and getting to work for the people of Lincoln Park, Old Town Triangle and Gold Coast.
“Since we launched this campaign six weeks ago, I’ve joined a team of dozens of volunteers to collect hundreds of signatures to get on the ballot and hear from voters directly. Whether it’s meeting residents at Oz Park, sitting down with community leaders over coffee, or knocking on doors across the ward, I’m confident this wave of grassroots support will power our team to victory in 2023.”
Knudsen’s candidacy is supported by prominent 43rd Ward and civic leaders through formal letters of recommendation in the appointment process.
“Through my experience with Timmy and my unique knowledge on what it takes to lead with strength and thoughtfulness in the 43rd Ward, I can say in confidence that Timmy will be an excellent representative of our community and skillful advocate on City Council,” said Caroline Vickrey, who came within 79 votes of the incumbent 43rd Ward Alderperson in 2015. “I believe that Timmy has the perfect combination of qualities that make him ideal for leading and serving the 43rd Ward. His optimism and energy are contagious, and he inspires collaboration, creative thinking and dynamic progress. He is a brilliant lawyer, but is also wise beyond his years, with a unique ability to quickly read a room and negotiate interpersonal dynamics to move a group forward in a transparent and effective manner. At the same time, his humility is palpable, which allows him to connect with people in a very human way. In short, he is a natural leader – leading by example, with enthusiasm, experience and empathy.”
“I firmly believe that Knudsen’s personal leadership capabilities and level-headedness are an ideal match for our dynamic and involved constituency,” said Jared Smith, longtime 43rd Ward resident and Co-Founder of RXBAR. “Beyond [his] formal roles, I also know Knudsen to be a committed mentor to first time founders from diverse communities. The combination of Knudsen’s love for public service, professionalism and business acumen makes him an ideal fit to serve our 43rd Ward and represent us fiercely to Chicago City Council. From experience with Knudsen, I have no doubt that he will bring the strong worth ethic and creativity our City needs as it recovers from a once in a lifetime pandemic. Knudsen is a unique kind of leader, and I strongly recommend his appointment to 43rd Ward Alderperson.”
“Knudsen is a leader who has been on my radar for years, due to his consistency in showing up to do the unglamorous work and his championing of others in doing so,” said Art Johnston, legendary LGBTQ+ activist, co-founder of the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (now known as Equality Illinois) and owner of Sidetrack. “Timmy has a rare skill in making all kinds of people believe more in themselves, and I am so happy this day has come where he is seeking public office.”
“We have the opportunity to continue to make history and advance LGBTQ representation with the appointment of the 43rd Ward Alderman. Victory Fund joins leaders in Chicago’s LGBTQ community in supporting Timmy Knudsen for Alderman. He would be the first openly gay representative of the 43rd Ward. Knudsen’s visibility as an out gay man pairs with his proven leadership ability—qualities that will serve ward residents and the entire Chicago City Council,” said Annise Parker, President and CEO of Victory Fund. “We have no doubt that Knudsen’s leadership style and approach will advance the priorities of Chicago’s 43rd Ward for all of its residents, particularly those who have been traditionally underrepresented. And his service in the role will give queer youth a role model in the halls of government, inspiring other LGBTQ leaders and leaders to-be at all levels of government.”
“Timmy’s strong leadership qualities and his results-oriented approach will be a vital tool in advancing Chicago’s 43rd Ward for all of its residents,” said Justin DeJong, Board Chair of Equality Illinois. “Timmy has been a leader in the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago for years, always from his home base in the 43rd Ward. He has served our community directly, through past membership on the Equality Illinois PAC Board and LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Board, and indirectly, through steadfast advocacy in getting LGBTQ+ judges elected in Illinois and his openness and visibility as a gay leader in Chicago’s legal community.”
“In my work with Timmy over the years, it is clear to me that Timmy understands that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is complimentary, and attached, to the fight for the civil rights of all historically marginalized communities,” said Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. “I have no doubts Timmy will champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ community as well as the rights of BIPC Chicagoans, women, and religious minorities.”
“I appeared twice in front of the 43rd Ward Judicial Review Board that Timmy chairs, and both times I was impressed by the uniquely independent process put together in the ward,” said recently elected Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mike Weaver. “After I received high marks from the Board, Timmy went above and beyond to help me with advice on my campaign, which included building coalitions of support and navigating the general slating process.”
In addition to the letters of recommendation submitted in the application, Knudsen submitted a supplemental letter of community support signed by over one hundred 43rd Ward residents and Chicago civic leaders such as Ali Khan, Chief Medical Officer at Oak Street Health; Julie Jahn, former Board Chair of the Lincoln Park Conservancy; William Kent Beach, Board Chair of the Design Museum of Chicago; Mark Ishaug, CEO of Thresholds; Tom Kehoe, Founder of Kehoe Designs and the Geraghty; and many more.
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