At their quarterly General Chapter Meeting held October 16th, 2022, the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez in the upcoming 2023 Aldermanic Elections. Members also voted to create a Socialist Slate and Platform on which all endorsed candidates are to run.

Ald. Sigcho-Lopez serves on Chicago City Council representing the 25th Ward, where he is known for skirmishing with Mayor Lightfoot over her failure to represent the interests of Chicago’s working class. CDSA previously endorsed Ald. Sigcho-Lopez in the 2019 Aldermanic Elections when he unseated disgraced former alderman Danny Solis who had held the seat for 23 years. 

The Pilsen alderman is the ninth candidate endorsed by CDSA this cycle. All endorsed candidates will receive equal support from the chapter’s Political Action Committee, CDSA PAC, which has thus far $10,000 since its official launch in August and which supporters of are encouraged to donate to at cdsa.vote

Because CDSA is a democratic, member-led organization, major political decisions like endorsements are ultimately voted on by membership. There will be a Post-Petition Endorsement Round later this year during which an as of yet undetermined number of candidates will be considered.

At the General Chapter Meeting, CDSA members also voted to create a Socialist Slate and Platform. This slate will mean even closer coordination between the socialist candidates endorsed by CDSA who will run on a shared vision for a socialist Chicago.

Additionally, a Teamsters Solidarity proposal was approved by members. CDSA will center supporting UPS workers in their fight for a new contract in the leadup to the 2023 DSA National Convention, which will be held in Chicago.