Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Byron Sigcho-Lopez is a Chicago politician and community activist. He is the alderman of Chicago's 25th ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He won an open race to succeed outgoing alderman Daniel Solis in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic election. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He was elected as 25th Ward Democratic Committeeperson in 2020.
Early life and education
Sigcho-Lopez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. Sigcho-Lopez earned a bachelor's degree from Cumberland University in Tennessee, and a Master's from the University of Illinois at Chicago.Political career
Sigcho-Lopez unsuccessfully challenged Danny Solis in the 2015 Chicago 25th Ward aldermanic election.In 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was elected to succeed outgoing 25th Ward alderman Danny Solis.
On April 10, 2019, prior to being sworn in, Sigcho-Lopez joined six other newly elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.
Sigcho-Lopez assumed office May 20, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, Sigcho-Lopez demanded a review of all permits and licenses approved by disgraced former Alderman Danny Solis.
In November 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget. He joined all five other members of the Socialist Caucus in signing a letter to Lightfoot which criticized her budget for "an over-reliance on property taxes" and "regressive funding models" that are "burdensome to our working-class citizens, while giving the wealthy and large corporations a pass." Sigcho-Lopez, over the course of Lightfoot's mayoralty, would be regarded to be a vocal critic of hers.
On March 22, 2024, Sigcho-Lopez spoke at a City Hall rally against the Gaza war at which Marine veteran Zachary Kam had burned a flag that he had flown while on tour in Afghanistan. This prompted some of Sigcho-Lopez's City Council colleagues to call for him step down as chairman of the Council's Housing Committee. On April 1, 2024, a resolution to remove him as chair failed 29 to 16.