About Rey Colón

A lifelong 35th Ward resident, Alderman Rey Colón is dedicated to serving the Avondale, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, and Logan Square communities. He attended Darwin Elementary School and Schurz High School. He studied at Columbia College and completed the Community Management Program in the Office of Public Administration at Roosevelt University.

Proven Leadership
Alderman Rey Colón has devoted his career to creating opportunities for residents in the 35th Ward. Since the 1979 murder of his brother in a drive-by gang shooting, Alderman Colón has dedicated himself to giving children and families alternatives for improving their lives. He has served the 35th Ward as:

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Executive Director, McCormick Tribune YMCA, where he facilitated a $7.5 million fundraising effort and directed construction of the YMCA in Logan Square;

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Executive Director, Logan Square Boys and Girls Club, where he launched a volunteer program to provide mentors for inner-city youth and received the National Honor Award for Program Excellence two years in a row for community outreach and a Satellite High School with a 90% graduation rate.

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Area Manager of the Chicago Park District, where he directed the operations of 45 city parks and play-lots, beautified public green space, and piloted innovative programs throughout the Humboldt Park/West Town communities, which are now implemented city-wide.
      
As Alderman since May 1, 2003, he continues to serve his neighbors by improving the quality of life in the 35th Ward.

Creating a Cleaner, Safer Community

Streets and Sanitation
Since taking office in 2003, Alderman Colón has worked with Streets and Sanitation to improve garbage pick up and pest control, and to establish regular street sweeping and cleaning schedules. He hired Ward Superintendent Raul Roldan to supervise the 35th Ward office and has leveraged over $1 million per year in funding to make major improvements to streets and sidewalks in the Avondale, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, and Logan Square areas. Capital improvement projects include new residential street lighting on Monticello Avenue, the Fullerton Avenue Streetscape, and the installation of traffic calming cameras at dangerous intersections.

Crime and Safety
Crime in the 35th Ward has decreased by over 25% while Alderman Colón has been in office, according to Chicago Police Department statistics. Alderman Colón encourages the Chicago Police District and residents to work together through organizations like CAPS and CeaseFire in order to reduce crime. In addition, Alderman Colón worked with the 14th District to introduce a special squad patrolling the Ward on bicycles.

Read the 2007 Election Buzz and the Chicago Tribune's Endorsement of Rey Colón.

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