NBC Chicago and Ward Room bring you profiles on all 50 wards this election season. As candidates face off in the Feb. 24 election, they are also facing a new ward map, which takes effect when the winners assume office.
In this profile, learn all about the 20th ward, which covers parts of New City (Back of the Yards and Canaryville), Washington Park and Englewood.
Demographic
- Total Population: 52,372
- White: 3.86 percent
- Black: 79.44 percent
- Hispanic: 14.28 percent
- Asian: 1.42 percent (Source: WBEZ)
Current Alderman: Willie Cochran
Ward Committeemen: Willie Cochran (democratic committeeman) and Jacoby Crutcher (republican committeeman)
Who Else is Running: Kevin Bailey, Jerome Davis (removed), Ronnie Nelson (removed), Ernest Radcliffe, Willie Ray and Andre Smith
Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Impoverished, working class and violent. Washington Park is ranked fifth in violent crimes in all 77 of Chicago's community areas, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago Politics
Predominant Economic Engine: There are very few local jobs in the 20th ward. In 2011, Chicago Now reported that only 0.2 percent of all jobs in the city fell in the 20th ward.
Where People Eat: Restaurants include Mexican restaurants, pizza restaurants, fried chicken restaurants, Palestine Club, Joe's Grill, Chicago Meat Authority and Goodness Greeness, an organic food store.
Where People Drink: There are several liquor stores in the 20th ward, but few bars. Coffee shops include Robust Coffee Lounge and Greenline Coffee. Bars include Infaltion Lounge and Odyssey II.
Where People Pray: Churches and places of worship include several Baptist churches, St. Edmund's Episcopal, Church of the Good Shepherd, Coppin African Methodist Episcopal, Apostolic House of Prayer, Fairfield Baptist Church, Southwest Church of Christ, Original Holy Ark Church, Victory Outreach City Church Chicago, Love Cathedral Community Church and Shenikah Glory Healing and Perfecting Center.
How the Ward Typically Votes: Willie Cochran was first elected alderman of the 20th ward in 2007 when he won 63 percent of the vote, defeating Arenda Troutman (32 percent) and Edward Chaney (5 percent). In 2011, Cochran won 54 percent of the vote, defeating Che "Rhymefest" Smith in a runoff.
Landmark: Washington Park. The park was designed in 1871 by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in New York. The DuSable Museum of African-American History is another landmark located within Washington Park.
Resident's Voice: An employee at Robust Coffee Lounge, who did not want to be named, said the community could use more establishments like coffee shops. He said they are a great place to bring communtiy members together in one place. In the 20th ward, they have the potential to bring local residents as well as college students from the University of Chicago together.
Ward Expert: Brandon F. Johnson, former executive director of the Washington Park Consortium
