Raymond Lopez

Raymond Anthony Lopez (born May 26, 1978) is an American politician who serves at the alderman and Democratic Committeeman of the 15th Ward in Chicago, Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, Lopez was first elected as Democratic Committeeman of the 15th Ward in 2012, becoming the first openly gay Mexican-American to be elected in Illinois. On April 7, 2015, Lopez was elected alderman of the 15th Ward. The 15th ward includes the West Englewood, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, and Gage Park neighborhoods.

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Lopez is a graduate of St. Laurence Catholic High School. Lopez was first introduced to politics at the age of 18 when he became a precinct captain under the William Lipinski organization of the 23rd Ward on the Southwest Side of Chicago.

Career

In 2011, Lopez ran unsuccessfully for alderman of the 15th Ward, forcing the incumbent into a run-off election.

In 2012, after the incumbent Democratic Committeeman withdrew from the race, Lopez ran unopposed. In 2012, as a result redistricting following the 2010 United States Census, the demographics of the 15th Ward changed. The 15th Ward, once seen as a predominately African American ward was ultimately remapped to include the large Hispanic population in the City of Chicago. Previously, the 15th Ward only included the neighborhoods of Chicago Lawn/Marquette Manor and West Englewood. The new 15th Ward (c. 2012) now includes significant portions of Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Gage Park, and New City, with West Englewood still remaining.

In 2015, Lopez again ran to represent the newly redrawn 15th Ward on the Chicago City Council. In a primary field of seven candidates, Lopez narrowly missed winning outright by 127 votes. In the April 7, 2015 run-off election, Lopez successfully obtained 58% of the total vote. On May 18, 2015, Lopez was sworn in along with the mayor, city treasurer, city clerk, and 49 other alderman at the Chicago Theatre.

Prior to being elected alderman, Lopez worked as a skycap for Southwest Airlines at Midway International Airport. He was a skycap for 12 years.

In the first round of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, Lopez endorsed Gery Chico for mayor.

Lopez has emerged as a top critic of Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the City Council. On May 31, during a conference call with all 50 Chicago aldermen regarding protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd, Lopez got into a heated argument with Lightfoot, where the two swore at one another other.