12th Ward IPO Advances Progressive Politics for McKinley Park and Its Neighbors

The 12th Ward Independent Political Organization (IPO), a nascent advocacy group serving McKinley Park and the other neighborhoods of Chicago's 12th Ward, has continued its mission to extend a progressive political movement heralded by the campaigns of Bernie Sanders, Chicago mayor candidate Jesús "Chuy" Garcia and 12th Ward alderman candidate Pete DeMay.

"We're a group of progressives who are interested in reform in government, local decision-making and equitable policies that promote social and economic justice," said Bill Drew Jr., 27, IPO Chairman and lifetime resident of McKinley Park. "We're keeping the Bernie revolution alive in the 12th Ward."

Some of the group's activities have included monthly meetings, candidate forums, support for similarly minded political organizations and attendance at demonstrations, Drew said. "We are very proud that we produced a candidate forum to determine our slate of candidates."

The January 2016 forum included presentations from 2nd Illinois Congressional District candidate Theresa Mah, Cook County State's Attorney candidate Kim Foxx and U.S. Congress 4th District candidate Javier Salas, all of whom were facing contests in the Democratic primary election in March 2016. Former Chicago mayoral candidate Garcia attended and presented as a delegate for U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Based on the forum, the IPO officially endorsed and supported Sanders, Foxx and Mah, and engaged its members in active support for these campaigns. Foxx and Mah went on to win their primary elections.

More recently, the IPO has been working to solicit signatures for former Illinois governor Pat Quinn's Take Charge Chicago campaign, which seeks to add two referendum questions to the ballot for Chicago's next election. The first resolution would impose a limit of no more than two consecutive terms for the office of Chicago Mayor; the second would mandate an elected consumer advocate for taxpayers and consumers to replace a position that's currently appointed.

"Term limits have been part of our democracy back to the founding of this country, especially for executive offices," Drew said. "Out of the top 10 largest U.S. cities, Chicago is the only one that doesn't have term limits for mayor."

Much of the energy around the IPO coalesced from the group of people supporting DeMay's 2014-2015 campaign for 12th Ward Alderman. DeMay and fellow political ally Garcia lost their elections, but the group wanted to continue the energy and networks that developed through these campaigns, Drew said.

The IPO's first meetings began in the summer of 2015, and by December, the group ratified a set of bylaws prepared by seasoned political activists who were familiar with similar Chicago organizations. In particular, the group followed patterns set out by The Independent Political Organization of the 22nd Ward, one of the first political organizations in Chicago. "We're in that tradition," Drew said. 

The IPO currently has around 50 active members and supporters, and it hopes to continue to grow its numbers through regular events and activities. For example, on the date of this article's publication, the IPO is hosting a meeting in McKinley Park tonight that will feature Troy LaRaviere, the firebrand critic of Chicago Public Schools who was ousted as principal of Blaine Elementary and subsequently elected president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. All are welcome to attend, Drew said.

Anyone who is interested in the 12th Ward IPO can visit its website or Facebook page; any emails should be sent to 12thwardipo@gmail.com, Drew said.