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Lopez Takes On Yanez in 15th Ward Runoff Election

 Rafael Yanez (r) and Ray Lopez (l) are both vying for the 15th ward aldermanic seat.
Rafael Yanez (r) and Ray Lopez (l) are both vying for the 15th ward aldermanic seat.
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DNAinfo

WEST ENGLEWOOD — With Ald. Toni Foulkes (15th) running in the 16th Ward, two candidates will face off in a runoff election for her 15th Ward seat on Tuesday.

Raymond Lopez and Rafael Yanez were the top two candidates in the February election. Lopez, a skycap for Southwest Airlines and a local Democratic ward committeeman, gained 47.1 percent of the vote, compared to Yanez who pulled 22.9 percent.

Yanez, who is a crime prevention specialist for the Chicago Police Department, said his main focus will be on addressing the ward’s violence. He said he would continue to find ways to build trust between the community and local police officers.

In 2003, Yanez worked as a beat officer in Englewood. He said he coordinated the Police Youth Mentoring program and also founded the UNION Impact Center, a nonprofit he started in 2007. His organization has worked with more than 1,500 youths.

Lopez is also concerned about public safety for the ward’s residents. He said that if elected, addressing it will be his main priority. Lopez said that he will begin a dialog between the police and the community.

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