Evanston's Sixth Ward Ald. Mark Tendam, in October, announced that he would be running for mayor of the city in the 2017 elections.
Were Tendam to win, he'd be the first openly gay person to fill that role. He's currently running against two others, Ald. Brian Miller ( 9th ) and businessman Steve Hagerty, to replace the current mayor, Elizabeth Tisdahl, who is stepping down after two terms.
Tendam, a graphics designer, was first elected alderman in 2009 and said that he is looking for a role where he'll have an even larger impact.
"The Sixth Ward is probably not the most challenging of all the wards," Tendam said. "Still, it's the the responsibility of the ward alderman to bring improvement to businesses and services, and the street-scaping in our business district, safe crossings for schools and things like that. Water control is a also big issue in the Sixth Ward as well. But if I can extend my services to the entire city, without having to place ward issues first, I'd like that opportunity."
The Evanston mayor's formal powers are fairly limited, he added, noting that that they fill the roles of "ambassador, leader, organizer, and connections with state legislators. All those add up to the need for a person can work within the system, not so much chasing the money but getting in front of it."
He said that homelessness in Evanston is the issue that "really makes my head spin." Tendam has extensively participated in a citywide program wherein Evanston churches take turns opening as shelters for persons experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, he spoke of the need for good jobs in the city.
"No one should have to go to work all day and then come home and go out again,and still be threatened with losing their lease or home. No one should work that hard without making ends meet and having health care needs met as well. A lot of our ills in this community can be solved with decent jobs."
Being openly gay on the Evanston city council has been a "non-issue," he said. "I don't think it has hurt me in any way. It may have helped me in some ways, in terms of our whole attitude toward diversity and inclusion. … You talk to most people in Evanston and they'll know of the gay couple on their block and say, 'We're proud of them.' That's Evanstonthat's why we live here."