Wicker Park – Two local entrepreneurs have officially entered the race for Chicago’s 1st Ward aldermanic seat. Laura Yepez, owner of the Wicker Park Inn and 1st Ward committeeperson for the Cook County Democratic Party, and Bill Thanoukos, a West Town restaurateur, filed petitions with the Chicago Board of Elections to challenge incumbent Alderman Daniel La Spata, who is seeking a third term.
Who is running
Incumbent Daniel La Spata lives in Logan Square and first won the 1st Ward in 2019, defeating former Alderman Joe Moreno after nine years in office. He narrowly retained the seat in 2023 against three challengers, including Moreno.
La Spata has championed safer streets and expanded cycling infrastructure. He backed the Smart Streets program, which uses cameras on CTA buses and city vehicles to ticket drivers who block bike and bus lanes. The pilot, launched in November 2024, covered downtown, West Town, River North and the South Loop and is slated for citywide expansion after recent City Council approval. His “Meet Me on Milwaukee” pilot, which temporarily closed sections of Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park, received positive feedback. La Spata also advocated for Chicago’s first automated public restroom, now under construction in the Polish Triangle, despite some neighbor opposition. In Logan Square he helped secure a Trader Joe’s and a Whole Foods for the Milwaukee corridor.
Challenger profiles
Bill Thanoukos resides in West Town and owns Greek Kitchen, a local chain with locations in the Loop and Streeterville. He also co‑manages Hub’s Restaurant at 5540 N. Lincoln Ave., a family‑run establishment founded by his immigrant parents that has served the North Side for over 50 years. Thanoukos studied law at Loyola University, served as Chief of Staff to City Treasurer Stephanie Neely, and was appointed to the Chicago Housing Authority Board in 2018, a position he no longer holds. His campaign emphasizes expanding affordable housing, lowering property taxes, investing in early‑childhood education and cutting red tape for small businesses.
Laura Yepez lives in Wicker Park and operates the Wicker Park Inn, a boutique nine‑room bed and breakfast at 1331 N. Wicker Park Ave. that has been in business for more than two decades. She has been the 1st Ward committeeperson for the Cook County Democratic Party since 2024 and founded the 1st Ward Democrats to increase resident engagement. Yepez previously served on the board of the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, is president of the Chicago Bed and Breakfast Association, and has sat on Lincoln Park High School’s local school council.
Both challengers highlight housing density and reforming the city’s permitting process. Yepez specifically calls for repealing opt‑outs in the city’s additional dwelling unit proposal and streamlining procurement to address the city’s budget deficit.
Election timeline
The filing deadline has passed, and no petitions were challenged by the Board of Elections. Voters will see the three names on the February ballot for the 1st Ward aldermanic race. The 1st Ward stretches from the eastern portion of Logan Square through most of Wicker Park, parts of East Humboldt Park and portions of West Town and Ukrainian Village.
Residents are encouraged to review each candidate’s platform and consider how their priorities—safer streets, affordable housing, small‑business support and fiscal responsibility—align with community needs.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
