South Shore – Incumbent Alderman Desmon Yancy and former city planning staffer Ryan Greenlaw are the only two candidates left in the race for a second term on Chicago’s 5th Ward City Council. Both candidates are currently waiting on the Chicago Board of Elections to rule on challenges to their petition signatures.
Candidate backgrounds
Desmon Yancy, a lifelong South Shore resident, previously served as director of community organizing for the Inner‑City Muslim Action Network. He won his first council seat in 2023 after a crowded primary that featured as many as twelve hopefuls. Yancy secured an endorsement from outgoing Alderman Leslie Hairston and defeated Tina Hone in a closely contested runoff.
Ryan Greenlaw, also a South Shore resident, worked for the city’s Small Business Development Bureau until September. In that role he managed Special Service Areas and Business Improvement Districts, gaining experience with local economic development. Greenlaw’s campaign presence is limited to a fundraising page on ActBlue; neither candidate appears to have a dedicated campaign website.
Petition challenges
The filing process has already produced disputes. Chicago Board of Elections records show that Adrienne M. Jones is contesting Greenlaw’s petition signatures, while Marcie Wright and James Cade have raised objections to Yancy’s signatures. The board will review these challenges and issue a ruling before the filing deadline closes.
What’s at stake
The 5th Ward includes diverse neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Woodlawn and South Shore, each with distinct concerns ranging from affordable housing to small‑business support and public safety. Yancy’s record includes community‑organizing initiatives, while Greenlaw emphasizes his experience overseeing business‑development programs. Voters will ultimately decide which approach best serves the ward’s families and faith‑based communities.
How to stay informed
Residents can monitor the petition challenge outcomes on the Chicago Board of Elections website and attend any upcoming public hearings. As the filing deadline approaches, both campaigns are expected to increase outreach through neighborhood meetings and social‑media updates.
With the election calendar moving forward, the 5th Ward race exemplifies the importance of local civic participation. Whether you support the incumbent’s community‑organizing background or the challenger’s small‑business expertise, staying informed and casting a ballot will shape the future of South Shore and its neighboring communities.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
