Bennett Lawson
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Bennett Lawson
| office = Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 44th ward
| term_start = May 15, 2023
| term_end =
| predecessor = Tom Tunney
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|7|2}}
| birth_place = Rockford, Illinois
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Democratic
| education = Loyola University Chicago (BA)
| caption = Alderman Bennett Lawson
| country = United States
| title = Alderman
}}
Bennett Lawson (born July 2, 1978){{cite web |url=https://graphics.suntimes.com/chicago-city-council-spata |title=Find Your Alderperson |first=Mitchell |last=Armentrout |accessdate=May 15, 2023 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=May 15, 2023}} is an American politician from Chicago representing portions of the Lakeview, Northalsted, and Wrigleyville neighborhoods. He is the Alderman for Chicago City Council's 44th Ward, and took office on May 15, 2023. He won the 2023 election for the seat, running unopposed following the retirement of longtime Alderman Tom Tunney.{{Cite web |last=Wittich |first=Jake |date=2023-03-01 |title=Bennett Lawson Elected 44th Ward Alderman After Running Unopposed To Succeed His Boss, Tom Tunney |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/02/28/bennett-lawson-elected-44th-ward-alderman-after-running-unopposed-to-succeed-his-boss-tom-tunney/ |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en}} He previously served for 15 years as Tunney's Chief of Staff.{{Cite web |last=Wittich |first=Jake |date=2022-08-30 |title=Ald. Tom Tunney Endorses Chief Of Staff Bennett Lawson To Replace Him As 44th Ward Alderman |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/08/30/ald-tom-tunney-endorses-chief-of-staff-bennett-lawson-to-replace-him-as-44th-ward-alderman/ |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en}} He serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards and a member of other committees, where he has focused on balanced housing development, small business support, safe and walkable communities, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Early Career and Background
Lawson was born in Rockford, Illinois, and attended Rockford Auburn High School. His father was a teacher.
He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2000 with a degree in political science and began his public service career working for former State Senator Carol Ronen.{{Cite web |title=Committeeman |url=https://www.bennettfor44.com/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Bennett Lawson |language=en}} He joined the 44th Ward office in 2004, serving as chief of staff to his predecessor, Alderman Tom Tunney, before succeeding him as Alderman in 2023.
As a staffer, Lawson worked on major development projects including the creation of the Center on Halsted community center, the adaptive reuse of the former 19th District police station into an LGBTQ+ senior living facility, and the construction of Howard Brown Health’s clinic on Halsted.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Howard Brown Health Clinic will soon open doors on North Side, specializing in LGBTQ+ care |url=https://abc7chicago.com/howard-brown-clinic-health-halsted-center/13806588/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}} His long tenure in the 44th Ward office included work on zoning modernization, retail development projects, and public safety with the 19th Police District.
He is one of several openly LGBTQ+ members serving on the Chicago City Council.{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=John |date=2023-04-05 |title=LGBTQ Representation Hits Historic High in Chicago |url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2023/04/lgbtq-representation-hits-historic-high-in-chicago/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Metro Weekly |language=en-US}} He lives in Northalsted area of Lakeview with his husband, Pete.
Local Initiatives
Prior to taking office in 2023, Lawson conducted a community survey to obtain input from residents on priorities for the 44th Ward. The survey received 2,022 responses and identified public safety, small business support, housing affordability, infrastructure, and public transit access as top concerns. The results also indicated interest in increasing green space, adding family-friendly amenities, and improving public transit and pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. The survey informed Lawson’s early legislative agenda and later community planning efforts.{{Cite web |last=Wittich |first=Jake |date=2023-05-04 |title=Alderman-Elect Bennett Lawson Ready To 'Hit The Ground Running' When He Takes Over As Lakeview Alderman This Month |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/04/alderman-elect-bennett-lawson-ready-to-hit-the-ground-running-when-he-takes-over-as-lakeview-alderman-this-month/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en-US}}
File:Evergreen Playlot Park Renovation1.jpg
Lawson was elected Alderman in 2023 and has supported a number of local improvement projects within the 44th Ward. He has allocated $100,000 in funding toward the planned construction of a new 25,000 square foot Lakeview Dog Park{{Cite web |title=Major Infrastructure Projects |url=https://www.44thward.org/infrastructure/major-infrastructure-projects/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Alderman Bennett Lawson - 44th Ward Chicago |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Lakeview Dog Park |url=https://www.lakeviewdogpark.com/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Lakeview Dog Park |language=en}} and oversaw the renovation of Evergreen Playlot Park.{{Cite web |last=Wittich |first=Jake |date=2023-12-18 |title=Remodeled Evergreen Park Opens In Lakeview |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/12/18/remodeled-evergreen-park-reopens-in-lakeview/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en-US}} His office has coordinated upgrades to the Belmont CTA station, and alley and sidewalk repairs. Lawson has also hosted public workshops on property tax relief, created community Advisory Councils on issues including safety and housing development, and organized events such as the annual Senior Picnic and Kids’ Bike Parade.
In late 2024, Lawson launched a community feedback and planning process to create the first neighborhood plan for Lakeview since 2006 - the 2025 44th Ward Community Plan.{{Cite web |last=Filbin |first=Patrick |date=2024-12-10 |title=Lakeview Alderman Wants Neighbors’ Ideas For Revitalizing Clark Street |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/12/10/lakeview-alderman-wants-neighbors-ideas-for-revitalizing-clark-street/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Filbin |first=Patrick |date=2025-02-19 |title=Lakeview’s New Community Plan Prioritizes Affordable Housing, Businesses And Green Space |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/19/lakeviews-new-community-plan-prioritizes-affordable-housing-businesses-and-green-space/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en-US}}
City Council Tenure and Policy Focus
Lawson began his term by introducing a package of ordinances aimed at improving neighborhood livability and streamlining small business operations. These included efforts to lower speed limits in front of a local hospital to enhance pedestrian safety, and remove regulatory barriers for personal services businesses (nail salons, beauty shops, barbershops, etc). Early in his tenure, he also supported the financing of 'Lakeview Landing,' a 37-unit ADA accessible affordable housing development at 835 W Addison Street{{Cite web |last=Schell |first=Daniel |date=2025-02-03 |title=Now Topped Out, Lakeview Landing Exterior Work Continues In Lake View |url=https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/02/now-topped-out-lakeview-landing-exterior-work-continues-in-lake-view.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Chicago YIMBY |language=en-US}} and voted in favor of expanding outdoor dining citywide.
Throughout his term, he has prioritized addressing the housing shortage. In 2024, he introduced legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—such as coach houses and attic and basement units—citywide. The legislation expanded a pilot program and was intended to support affordability, intergenerational living, and increased housing supply without using public funds.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-11 |title=Chicago building owners could soon build additional dwelling units under city proposal |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/06/11/chicago-building-owners-could-soon-build-additional-dwelling-units-under-city-proposal/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Vance |first=Steven |date=2024-06-21 |title=Chicago appears to be in the home stretch for citywide ADU expansion |url=https://blog.chicagocityscape.com/chicago-appears-to-be-in-the-home-stretch-for-citywide-adu-expansion-19cb78b87aad |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Medium |language=en}}
Lawson also passed an ordinance simplifying the process of converting commercial space into ground-floor residential units, aiming to expand accessible housing, decrease the presence of vacant storefronts, and address rising housing costs.{{Cite web |title=Matter - Office of the City Clerk |url=https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=39ACB897-E3E2-EE11-904C-001DD806E944 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov}}{{Cite web |title=44th Ward Newsletter: February 21, 2025 |url=https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=8b318f91a566aafb49537c87f&id=a50007ac33 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=us14.campaign-archive.com}}
File:2024 Pride Parade Alderman Lawson.jpg
He has advocated for LGBTQ+-inclusive public health, senior services, and housing. In 2024, he passed an ordinance to create Honorary Rich Pfeiffer Parade Way, honoring the late Pride Parade coordinator.{{Cite web |last=Steve |date=2024-10-28 |title=Chicago Honors Pride Parade Leader Richard Pfeiffer with Dedicated Street Sign - PRIDEChicago |url=https://pridechicago.org/chicago-honors-pride-parade-leader-richard-pfeiffer-with-dedicated-street-sign/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}
Lawson has also co-sponsored major legislation, including the 'Chi vs Hate' ordinance to expand reporting of hate incidents, ethics reforms, composting pilot programs, and budget measures to increase youth programming, mental health response, and anti-violence funding. Lawson also co-sponsored an ordinance to raise penalties for hate-related graffiti.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.bennettfor44.com Campaign Website]
- [https://www.44thward.org/services/about/ 44th Ward Website]
- [https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Legislative-Member-Details/?personId=1628D550-6CF3-ED11-A7C6-001DD804FC2B City Clerk Legislative Members Webpage]
{{Chicago City Council}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawson, Bennett}}
Category:American LGBTQ city council members
Category:Chicago City Council members
Category:LGBTQ people from Illinois
Category:21st-century Illinois politicians
Category:Loyola University Chicago alumni
{{Illinois-politician-stub}}