West Lawn – A West Lawn‑born attorney and community organizer has entered the race for the 23rd Ward aldermanic seat, challenging incumbent Ald. Silvana Tabares in the upcoming February 23 municipal election.
Candidate backgrounds
Leonardo Rojas‑Banda filed his nominating petition this week, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. He graduated from Hubbard High School in 2016 and later served as a Freedom of Information Act officer and assistant general counsel in Gov. JB Pritzker’s office. Rojas‑Banda also worked for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, assisting residents with SNAP and Medicaid applications, and currently chairs the Civic Empowerment pillar of the Southwest Action Network.
Ald. Silvana Tabares, appointed to the City Council in 2018 after five years in the Illinois House, won a full term in 2019 and was re‑elected in 2023. She has represented the 23rd Ward for nearly six years, focusing on local services and immigrant‑family outreach.
Key issues driving the campaign
Rojas‑Banda launched his campaign in August, saying aggressive federal immigration enforcement in the neighborhood motivated his decision to run. He says the ward office should help immigrant families connect with legal resources and provide information about detained relatives. He also pledges to improve the city’s response to flooding, sidewalk repairs, and garbage‑can replacements.
Tabares told the Southwest News‑Herald that her office already distributes “Know Your Rights” materials and links residents to immigration‑related resources. She says she has spoken out against immigration raids and advocated for protections for immigrant families.
Election timeline
The municipal election is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2027. The Board of Elections will certify the ballot on Dec. 17.
Both candidates are emphasizing community‑focused solutions, but their approaches differ. Rojas‑Banda’s platform leans heavily on expanding legal assistance for undocumented families and addressing infrastructure concerns, while Tabares highlights her existing outreach efforts and experience navigating City Hall.
What voters should know
West Lawn residents will have the opportunity to weigh these contrasting visions at the polls. Voters are encouraged to review each candidate’s petition filings, attend any upcoming community forums, and consider how each candidate’s background and priorities align with the ward’s needs.
For more information on the filing process, ballot certification, and voting locations, visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
