First Asian American Alderman Elected in Chicago 47th Ward Chooses Ameya Pawar as their New Alderman

The Asian American Institute (AAI), member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, and the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment campaign congratulates the first Asian American elected to Chicago’s city council.

Last night, on February 22, 2011 the first ever Asian American, Ameya Pawar, was elected to represent the 47th Ward. The historic win came during an election year that continued the trend of a steadily increasing number of Asian Americans running for office. This year six Asian Americans ran for alderman.   

“It’s very exciting to finally have an Asian American in city council,” said Tuyet Le, AAI’s executive director. “We congratulate Mr. Pawar, and look forward to working with him to address the tough issues that our community and this city faces.”

The city council members will be voting on the newly drawn city council ward lines, which is mandated every ten years. The redistricting process deeply affects the Asian American neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Albany Park, and West Ridge.  The Asian American Institute will be working toward a fair map that allows the community’s voice be heard through increased legislative representation.

  The 47th ward is approximately 5% Asian American, similar to the city’s overall population, and contains the Japanese American Service Committee and the Cambodian Association of Illinois.

Members of the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Campaign include:

*Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant *Rights and Empowerment
*Cambodian Association of Illinois
*Chinese Mutual Aid Association
*Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
*Korean American Community Services
*Korean American Resource & Cultural Center
* Indo-American Center
*Muslim Women Resource Center
*Vietnamese Association of Illinois