Activist and police officer Rafael Yanez is running against Democratic Ward Committeeman Raymond Lopez to represent the city's 15th Ward, encompassing Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Gage Park and West Englewood. Yanez got just under 23-percent of the vote in the February 24th election, but he also has a number of major endorsements, among them mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, and Toni Foulkes, the Ward's former alderman who's now engaged in a runoff to represent the 16th Ward.
Windy City Times spoke with Yanez about his observations and ideas for the ward.
Windy City Times: So why have you tossed your hat in the ring?
Rafael Yanez: I was born here in Chicago but I grew up in Mexico. I came back to Chicago when I was nine years old, to the Southwest Side. I remember the first week, when I arrived, I was asked a question by a kid: "What you be about?" I didn't speak English, so I didn't understand what the kid was saying. After having one of my classmates translate, I understood what he was [asking]: "What gang do you belong to?"
As I got older, I realized how segregated and divided our cities and neighborhoods are, even down to the block. So, having that experience—where I would go to a neighborhood park and be challenged as to why was I there, [being told] I didn't belong there—I realized that a lot of our young people today are going through the same struggles. I became a young dad. I was a senior in high school when I became a dad, so that was another challenge. A lot of young people right now are in similar situations.
When I moved to the Back of the Yards, I was 19-years-old, and I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work as a police officer in 2003. So I started working in Englewood, and, from there, went to a unit that allowed me to work in different neighborhoods throughout the city. So I was there when young people were in the street, murdered. I heard the cries of families. We had to carry the murdered bodies to the morgue.
I realized I had to do more, and so I started a non-profit operation [the U.N.I.O.N Impact Center]—we started with seven kids. We really were just creating options for young people. Last summer, we finished with over 300 kids. We have a soccer league. We have leadership programs in high schools. We have workshops for parents as well. It's the same model as what I want to bring to the city council: We all have skills. We all have gifts. We all have hardened passion—utilizing our assets and connecting those dots, providing programs and opportunities for our neighborhoods.
Equity is something that's not really showing in this administration. We keep hearing the tale of two cities. The mental health clinic that closed in the Back of the Yards was the only mental health clinic with Spanish-speaking personnel. Kelly High School, in the last two years, suffered a five million dollar cut in their budget. That meant a lot of programs had to end and a lot of staff had to be let go.
WCT: What services are most lacking and need the most attention from the alderman?
Rafael Yanez: Several. We have to make sure that we consider health. And education—our schools are underfunded. We have substance abuse [issues]. We have homelessness. We have trauma and violence. We have housing issues.
We have a population that is living in the shadows. They haven't been heard. They're afraid. They don't have the support they need to live a happy life. No matter our beliefs or where we come from, we all want a good quality of life. A leader should be able to provide that, and fight for that.
We have a high percentage of homelessness. Young people leaving homes because they feel that they are not going to be accepted at home because of their beliefs—if they want to dress a certain way, or their music is a certain way that goes against the culture or [predominant] beliefs.
On the topic of gay, lesbian and transgender persons, I have family members that are afraid of basically saying that they're gay, and they feel that they don't have the support that they need to even have an educated conversation to get the acceptance they need.
Young people are suffering because of this, and then they get abuse. They get into substance abuse and drug addiction. We have to provide a safe environment and policies that are always supportive and against discrimination, and provide a safe environment.
I love my gay family. People should know that they have the support that they need to have a quality way of life, and as alderman I am going to try to provide that [for everyone].
WCT: What work have you done or plan to do with LGBT youth?
Rafael Yanez: We have to consider our schools as a pillar. A lot of young people in school are a "captive audience"—we can talk to the administration, and make sure that they are equipped with the services and programs that they need to make sure that young people are aware of those services and programs. We need to start a dialogue with administrations, and make sure that all the schools and [student's] families are aware of them as well. What I'm planning to do is, as alderman, be part of that conversation. I want to be part of that involvement, to make sure that we bring those programs here if we don't have them here. One thing is to make sure that people offering [youth] programs are not discriminating, and make sure that people understand that that's not going to be tolerated.
Again, homelessness—we have 2,000 properties abandoned in Englewood. Let's connect the dots: we have a homeless population; we have 2,000 properties. What can we do to make sure that we create a safe environment and get the money that we need to make sure that gets into action? We're [usually] talking about TIF money being used for private corporations. Let's bring that money home.
WCT: How safe do you think the ward for its LGBT residents?
Rafael Yanez: I don't think it's safe. I mentioned our culture. I mentioned my experience with our family. I want to be the alderman who makes it safe.
WCT: Why are you a better choice than Raymond Lopez?
Rafael Yanez: I have a track record of serving. I am really not looking for a job or title. I'm looking for a way to serve and I find that this is the best way to do it. I've seen the struggles of a lot of our families. We have tremendous opportunities to make things happen, and I feel that I'm the strongest candidate, and the candidate who brings communities and organizations together.
See www.voteyanez.com .
