Jim Gardiner (Chicago politician)

James Gardiner (born April 17, 1976) is a Chicago politician affiliated with the Democratic party who serves as the alderman for Chicago's 45th Ward.

Jim Gardiner
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 45th ward
Assumed office
May 20, 2019
Preceded byJohn Arena
Personal details
Born
James Gardiner

(1976-04-17) April 17, 1976
Political partyDemocratic (2019–present)
Independent (until 2019)
EducationSaint Xavier University (BA)

Background and education

Gardiner was born April 17, 1976 to Irish immigrant parents, the youngest of 7 children. He graduated from Notre Dame High School, and from Saint Xavier University in 2002 with a degree in teaching. He has taken a leave of absence from the Chicago Fire Department.[1]

Political career

In the February 2019 Chicago City Council election, Gardiner defeated incumbent John Arena, obtaining 50.9% of the vote to Arena's 36.2%.[2] Gardiner was elected to the 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson position in March 2020, defeating challenger Ellen Hill by 292 votes.[3]

Gardiner is a member of the Democratic party, but identified as an independent before 2019.[4][1] Gardiner believes in the legalization and taxation of recreational marijuana.[5] Gardiner is not in favor of an increase in property taxes, municipal taxes, and real estate transfer taxes. He is also not in favor of the LaSalle Street Tax.[5] Gardiner does not believe stricter gun control laws will reduce the amount of illegal firearms. He believes educating the youth on the dangers of illegal guns will help reduce gun violence.[5]

In 2019, Alderman Jim Gardiner established the Gardiner Angels Program in the 45th ward of Chicago. The Gardiner Angels program aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for senior citizens by aiding and assisting them through various needs. Notably, the Gardiner Angels program have paved the way for senior citizens during the winter by shoveling the snow off their sidewalks and front steps. [6]

Gardiner aims to bring new developments to help drive revenue, job growth, and pedestrian traffic into the 45th ward of Chicago. After the closing of Sabatino's, the Italian-American restaurant,[7] Northwestern Medical Group expressed interests to build a health care facility along the south side of Irving Park Road between Kenneth Avenue and Kilbourn Avenue. [8] Constituents in the ward have been concerned with the vacant Six Corners Sears building in Old Irving Park[9] neighborhood in Chicago. Alderman Jim Gardiner has noted 'that he is well aware there are people in the community who have become attached to building, (and) I will do anything I can' to try to have it incorporated in the site's redevelopment.[10]

See also

References
  1. Minnis, Glenn. "No shortage of potential Arena challengers in 45th Ward". chicagocitywire.com. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  2. "Jim Gardiner". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  3. "Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago". chicagoelections.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  4. Board, CST Editorial (27 January 2019). "45th Ward candidat for alderman: James "Jim" Gardiner". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  5. Board, CST Editorial (27 January 2019). "45th Ward candidat for alderman: James "Jim" Gardiner". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  6. https://www.aldermangardiner.com/gardinerangels
  7. Chu, Louisa. “Sabatino's Closing after 49 Years of Serving Chicago Families.” Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2019, www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-sabatinos-closing-20180824-story.html.
  8. http://nadignewspapers.com/2020/02/22/northwestern-health-facility-planned-for-former-sabatinos-restaurant-block/
  9. https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/126764/Hegewisch.pdf
  10. http://nadignewspapers.com/2020/12/07/preservation-chicago-concerned-six-corners-sears-would-get-razed/


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