Daniel La Spata


Daniel La Spata is a Chicago politician. He is the alderman of Chicago's 1st ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He won election to that office after defeating incumbent Proco Joe Moreno in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic elections. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Early life, education, and career

La Spata was born in South Plainfield, New Jersey in 1981. He moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend North Park University, where he later received a bachelor's degree in psychology and music. As of 2019, he is completing his master's degree in urban planning and public policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In February, 2019, during his 2019 campaign, a reportedly from La Spata's 2013 bachelor party was released in which La Spata, dressed in a banana costume and his with his friends surrounding him in monkey masks, appeared to pose with four African-American boys at a downtown Chicago park. Following the release of the photo, La Spata denied any racial motivation and released the following apology: "I apologize unequivocally for the photo from my bachelor party six years ago", he said.
He was a member of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association for 10 years, where he worked on issues of equitable housing and community development. He has also worked as a community organizer for the Jane Addams Seniors Caucus, a policy and planning associate at Friends of the Parks, and policy intern at the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. On April 10, 2019, La Spata joined six other newly-elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.

Chicago City Council (2019–present)

La Spata was sworn in as alderman from the 1st ward on May 20, 2019. He is a member of the Progressive Caucus and Socialist Caucus within City Council.
In November 2019, La Spata was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget. He joined all five other members of the Socialist Caucus in signing a letter to Lightfoot which criticized her budget for "an over-reliance on property taxes" and "regressive funding models" that are "burdensome to our working-class citizens, while giving the wealthy and large corporations a pass."
La Spata has advocated for Chicago to altogether end its contract with Commonwealth Edison.

Electoral history