UNIVERSITY VILLAGE — The five candidates seeking to represent the city's diverse 25th Ward will square off at a forum Friday night.
The 25th Ward debate will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the UIC Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, 803 S. Morgan St. The debate was organized by Jeff Uehlinger, president of United Students Against Sweatshops.
All five candidates have been invited to attend. The candidates are:
Incumbent Ald. Danny Solis, first appointed to the post in 1996, is chairman of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards and an ally to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
• Ed Hershey is a science teacher at Lindblom Math & Science Academy in West Englewood. Hershey challenged the demolition of the Whittier Elementary field house in Pilsen, and was arrested in a protest.
• Longtime community activist Jorge Mujica, a self-proclaimed socialist, is well-known as a champion of immigrant and labor rights movements.
• Financial advisor Roberto "Beto" Montano served as Solis' chief of staff from April 2005 to January 2008. A veteran, Montano also served on the city's now defunct Latino Advisory Council.
• Byron Sigcho, lead instructor at UIC's Center for Literacy and Pilsen Alliance board member, moved to file an appeal to block an industrial metal shredder pushing to open in the Pilsen.
The 25th Ward includes parts of Pilsen, Chinatown, the West Loop, Little Italy and Heart of Chicago.
The election is Feb. 24.
Contact Uehlinger with questions at jeffuehlinger@gmail.com.
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