CHICAGO, IL – Municipal elections in the City of Chicago are taking place on Feb. 24.
In the 50th Ward, there are three candidates on the ballot standing for election: Shajan Kuriakose, Debra Silverstein, and Zehra Quadri.
Shajan Kuriakose, 37, and currently a consultant at BMO Harris Bank, was born and raised on the north side of Chicago to the late Mathew Kuriakose, past president of the Indo-American Democratic Organization, and Marykutty Kuriakose.
While Shajan has spent the last 15 years in the private sector as a small business owner, real estate investor, and a project management professional in the telecommunication and banking industry, he has always had a commitment to service.
Both his parents were extremely active in the South Asian community, helping over 230 people find jobs, creating numerous business opportunities for investors that is now providing them financial security, and hosting several people when they first arrived in the US, making sure they learned the language and got settled.
“I am running for office to follow in the footsteps of my parents and many others in their generation who have given back to the community,” Kuriakose said.
“I am committed to proactively representing the priorities of the people who live, work, and shop in the 50th Ward—strategically reinvesting available city funds back into our neighborhoods, closing loopholes that allow elected officials to violate rules without facing any accountability, and advocating for an increased police-presence to ensure safety for our families and for our businesses.”
Shajan will also make economic development a top priority as a way to grow our community.
“We should be capitalizing on our ward’s diversity. One idea is to work with stakeholders from the different communities to recruit festivals, summits, and other events to be hosted in our ward,” Kuriakose said. “For example, given our South Asian population and businesses, there is no reason we shouldn’t pursue hosting the Times of India Film Awards show, which would bring significant tourism and business to the 50th Ward.”
Shajan’s campaign for Alderman has been endorsed by many organizations and individuals, including Jewish Chicago, the Indo-American Democratic Organization, the Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago, North Side Democracy for America, North Town News Magazine, Former 50th Ward Aldermanic Candidate Ahmed Khan, and most recently, the Chicago Tribune.
In speaking about the differences between him and incumbent Alderman Debra Silverstein, Shajan points out a series of votes Silverstein has taken that do not represent the priorities and values of the residents of the 50th Ward.
Shajan specifically mentions her votes:
“Instead of implementing real solutions, Debra Silverstein has voted to nickel-and-dime people who work hard, pay taxes, and are just trying to pursue a better life for themselves and their children,” Kuriakose said.
Shajan is receiving support from every community in the 50th Ward. “The residents of the 50th Ward deserve strong, independent leadership that will represent our values and priorities, not the special interests,” Miriam Solo-Greenfield, Attorney and 50th Ward Resident, said.
“I am supporting Shajan Kuriakose to be our next Alderman as he has a plan to help businesses grow and ensure safety in our neighborhoods.”
“True change in the 50th Ward has been long overdue,” Ahmed Khan, former 50th Ward Aldermanic candidate, said. “I am voting for Shajan Kuriakose because he will put people before politics and work with people from every community to achieve our mutual goals.”
Zehra Quadri is the third candidate running for Alderman. Zehra was investigated by the Illinois State Board of Elections for carrying a negative balance on the last two quarterly reports that she may have not properly disclosed receipts, expenses, and/or outstanding debts related to brochure and signs.
This story originally appeared on Hi India Live.
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