Ready From Day One
Experience working with community groups, city departments, and elected officials to meet the housing needs of working families
Experience in city and state government
Experience managing complex projects & budgets
Service at Peirce Elementary, fundraising and serving on the Local School Council
MBA from the Kellogg School of Management
On leave from his current job and plans to work full time as alderman
Joe is the Vice President of Development at the nonprofit Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation.
He has helped create over 800 units of housing for working families in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Chinatown, Humboldt Park, Lawndale, Logan Square, Uptown, and West Garfield Park.
Joe has worked his whole life. His first job was delivering newspapers to the Malibu and Malibu East buildings. He worked as a line cook during high school and at the local Dominick's (now the Whole Foods) during college.
Joe's first job out of college was as a press officer for the Illinois Humanities Council working on the Chicago Humanities Festival. There he got to support a celebration of curiosity and lifelong learning that brought together leaders from the arts, academia, politics, and business. He also met his wife, Jennifer, who is a professional musician and music teacher.
Joe spent 2 years as a Project Manager for the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development followed by 5 years as District Development Coordinator and Deputy Director for the Illinois Medical District Commission. He managed projects, budgets, staff, and contracts while developing a deep understanding of how government works.
While he was working, Joe went to school on evenings and weekends to earn an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management in Finance and Real Estate.
Since 2006, Joe has focused on developing safe, environmentally sustainable, affordable housing in neighborhoods across the city for low and moderate income residents, including working with trade unions to hire local residents.
Joe spent a decade serving the community
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Joe served as the vice chair and chair on the Local School Council at Peirce elementary in Andersonville. He led the hiring of the current principal, who has led the school in improving social supports, gender affirming accommodations, and updating its curriculum to include accurate American History.
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Joe also spent a decade fundraising for Friends of Peirce, serving as both vice president and president. With the money they raised, Friends of Peirce was able to bring in local arts partners to provide arts enrichment programming.
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Joe served on the Edgewater Community Council
Edgewater has always been Joe’s home. His parents instilled him with a love of arts and pushed him into neighborhood level advocacy at an early age, including canvassing and advocating for the Edgewater Library and Armory.
He met his wife Jennifer while working at the Chicago Humanities Council. Jennifer Dunne is a professional musician, music teacher, and leader of Signature Ensemble.
They have 3 children: Bridget, 15, Molly, 13, and Joe, 11. All of them attend public schools and are involved in the performing arts.
Family pup, Roscoe, is a good dog.
Joe's Values
We need to work together moving forward to ensure that these values continue to guide our community. I am committed to doing so and will put these values into action through my priorities.
Community
The 48th Ward is known for its long tradition of community involvement and for neighbors working together to make the Ward a better place for all. The neighborhood that we call home did not just happen, it is the result of the hard work and dedication of many civic-minded neighbors coming together around our common values.
As Alderman, I will continue this tradition of engaging the community in collective action to address issues as they arise.
Inclusion
The 48th Ward is a diverse community where all are welcome. We have a strong, vibrant, and growing LGBTQ+ community. As Alderman, I will defend the civil rights of our LGBTQ+ residents and business owners, ensuring equal access to all economic opportunities and resources.
We have been a welcoming center for refugees from many nations for decades, as seen by the broad diversity of races and ethnicities that call the 48th Ward home.
As Alderman, I will work with our local social service and support organizations to ensure that immigrants and refugees continue to be welcomed in our community.
Service
The community and its inclusive nature are supported by a strong commitment to individual and collective volunteerism. The 48th Ward is home to a robust network of mission driven non-profit organizations that not only advocate for change, but they also implement it. This strong commitment to service has created a powerful network that binds the community together and reflects our values through action.
Campaign Office
Joe for 48 Campaign Office
5459 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday
10am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 3pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm
Social Media
