North Lawndale – Ald. Monique Scott, the current 24th Ward alderperson, is preparing for a second full term on Chicago City Council. Two opponents, Jamesenna Anderson and Kiisha Smith, have submitted petitions to run against her in the municipal election scheduled for Feb. 23, but both petitions are being contested by the Chicago Board of Elections.
Challengers and Petition Challenges
Anderson, a resident of Austin, has no campaign website or social‑media presence. A flyer posted to Facebook says she volunteers on local homeless and food‑insecurity efforts and aims to create a “stronger, safer and more vibrant” ward. The Board of Elections has received a formal challenge to her petition signatures.
Kiisha Smith, chair of the 10th Police District Council, also filed a petition to run for the 24th Ward seat while simultaneously seeking reelection to her council position. Smith, a North Lawndale native, highlighted her background in sales, marketing, housing and youth services in a Facebook announcement. She says her campaign is driven by a desire to give “a seat at the table” for residents who feel excluded from the city’s political system. The Board has likewise received a challenge to her petition.
Scott’s Record and Family Legacy
Ald. Scott was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2022 to fill the vacancy left by her brother, Michael Scott Jr., who resigned to become a Cook County Commissioner. Scott won a full term in a runoff election the following spring after emerging from an eight‑candidate field.
The Scott family has long been a fixture in Chicago politics. Michael Scott Sr., the patriarch, served as president of the Chicago Park District Board and as president of the Chicago Board of Education, working closely with former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Monique Scott’s experience includes time as a Chicago Park District employee and supervisor of Ellis Park, giving her a deep understanding of the community’s recreational needs.
Election Timeline
Board of Elections officials will review the challenges and issue rulings by mid‑December. The final ballot is set to be certified on Dec. 17, and voters will head to the polls on Feb. 23 to decide who will represent the 24th Ward.
Residents of North Lawndale, South Lawndale, Garfield Park and Austin are encouraged to stay informed about the petition challenges and to participate in the upcoming election.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
