A Vision for Change Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth

If there are two things that all government leaders across the globe share, it is the fundamental responsibility to advocate and prioritize the public’s welfare and nurture community building efforts. These have been key central aspects of their leadership and if one looks to the core of their leadership, one would find a leader’s desire to have effective governance that aims to enhance the quality of life of every citizen within their communities. Most leaders assure this by way of ensuring that these citizens are met with the basic needs such as having access to proper healthcare, safety and education. It also includes the proactive effort to foster a good community that exudes unity and collective progress.

Part of demonstrating these efforts is the implementation of policies, programs, and advocacies that were designed to answer some of the community’s pressing issues like alleviating poverty and inequality. Leaders who invest in and actively promote these efforts are bound to be visions for change. Such is the nature for Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth. 

In a recent interview with Alderwoman Leni outlines how she navigates and approaches local politics and addresses certain issues the city is facing. Effective governance, according to her, involves collaboration and understanding among fellow city officials. “Getting to know colleagues as human beings is paramount,” she noted. Her commitment to attending city council meetings and working groups highlights her dedication to navigating local governance effectively. She also shared her motivations, accomplishments, and future goals as a public servant ingrained with a deep commitment to community building. “Community is everything to me,” she said. “As a mom, I ran to protect the future of my family and their human rights, and not only theirs but all of our community.” This dedication to family and communal well-being has been a notable driving force throughout her tenure which is filled with a vast number of notable achievements.

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Key Accomplishments & Challenges

One of the many highlights is her role in passing One Fair Wage - an initiative that addresses the longstanding issue of subminimum wage practices that have been historically rooted in discrimination. By passing this legislation, it represents a critical step towards ensuring fair compensation for all workers. “One Fair Wage lifts service workers, such as food servers in hospitality, by requiring employers to pay minimum wage plus tips,” she explained. But apart from One Fair Wage initiative, Alderwoman Leni has also advocated for several housing initiatives as well as a holistic approach to public safety. These include ending the 60-day limit for migrant shelters, preserving single residence occupancies, supporting the development of affordable housing projects, such as the one in Edgewater by Bikerdike, and strengthening relationships with various stakeholders and investing in community-based solutions. 

Her proactive efforts also focus on ensuring that people living on the margins receive comprehensive support services and by straightforwardly addressing root causes of violence and enhancing community policing efforts, she aims to build safer, more engaged neighborhoods. 

As usual, what are achievements if they aren’t also mirrored with some challenges. Alderwoman Leni has identified mental health as one of the city’s most significant challenges since it’s the resulting aftermath of the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of of destigmatizing mental health therapy, particularly within the Asian American community, and works with organizations like KAN-WIN and South-East Asia Center to connect individuals to essential services. In doing so, she also supports the Treatment Not Trauma initiative which advocates for the reopening of public mental health clinics all while exploring alternatives to policing during mental health crises.

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Community Building, Economic Development and Future Plans

Of course, what is a leader without ever thinking about how they could foster a healthy community and develop a sustainable economy. “In the 48th ward, we have many ways to engage with our constituents,” Alderwoman Leni said as she outlined her commitment to active and inclusive dialogue.  Like any leader, her approach to governance is met with community engagement as its cornerstone by utilizing various methods to connect with constituents; this includes participatory budgeting, town halls and having numerous advisory committees. All these activities are done while fostering economic growth and job creation.

What are her strategies one may ask? Collaborating with the local Chamber of Commerce, the creation of the Bryn Mawr Task Force, and supporting youth employment programs such as One Summer Chicago. Aside from those, she also promotes local cultural events such as Asia on Argyle which is a way to provide employment opportunities and support neighborhood development. Doing so provides a more active effort in fostering community development which in the long term is crucial to building and sustaining a good economic playground for all those who want to thrive in the city.

As we look beyond, Alderwoman Leni focuses on several important compontents: ensuring that proper housing and healthcare are part of one’s human rights, supporting local businesses both big and small, and fostering civic engagements. Marked by her profound commitment to the community, we can see that by addressing the public’s basic needs and promoting localism, the city can build strong and resilient communities. Her proactive approach to addressing challenges and her dedication to inclusive governance offer a vision for a better future for Chicago.