Byron Sigcho-Lopez
American politician (born 1983)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Byron Sigcho-Lopez (born July 7, 1983) is a Chicago politician and community activist. He is the alderman of Chicago's 25th ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He won an open race to succeed outgoing alderman Daniel Solis in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic election.[2][3] He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[4] He was elected as 25th Ward Democratic Committeeperson in 2020.[5]
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University of Illinois, Chicago (MA)
Byron Sigcho-Lopez | |
|---|---|
Sigcho-Lopez in 2019 | |
| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 25th ward | |
| Assumed office May 20, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Solis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1983 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Cumberland University (BA) University of Illinois, Chicago (MA) |
Early life and education
Sigcho-Lopez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador.[6] Sigcho-Lopez earned a bachelor's degree from Cumberland University in Tennessee, and a Master's from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Political career
Sigcho-Lopez unsuccessfully challenged Danny Solis in the 2015 Chicago 25th Ward aldermanic election.
In 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was elected to succeed outgoing 25th Ward alderman Danny Solis.
On April 10, 2019, prior to being sworn in, Sigcho-Lopez 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.[7]
Sigcho-Lopez assumed office May 20, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, Sigcho-Lopez demanded a review of all permits and licenses approved by disgraced former Alderman Danny Solis.[8]
In November 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget.[9] 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."[10] Sigcho-Lopez, over the course of Lightfoot's mayoralty, would be regarded to be a vocal critic of hers.[11]
On March 22, 2024, Sigcho-Lopez spoke at a City Hall rally against the Gaza war at which Marine veteran Zachary Kam had burned a flag that he had flown while on tour in Afghanistan. This prompted some of Sigcho-Lopez's City Council colleagues to call for him step down as chairman of the Council's Housing Committee.[12] On April 1, 2024, a resolution to remove him as chair failed 29 to 16.[13]
On January 28, 2026, Sigcho-Lopez announced his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 4th district. Sigcho-Lopez is running as an independent.[14][15]
Personal life
Sigcho-Lopez is married to Loreen Targos. In June 2022, Sigcho-Lopez and Targos became parents to triplets.[16]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Daniel "Danny" Solis (incumbent) | 3,811 | 51.07 | |
| Nonpartisan | Byron Sigcho-Lopez | 1,383 | 18.53 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jorge Mujica | 907 | 12.15 | |
| Nonpartisan | Roberto "Beto" Montano | 748 | 10.02 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ed Hershey | 614 | 8.23 | |
| Total votes | 7,463 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Byron Sigcho-Lopez | 2,885 | 29.23 | |
| Nonpartisan | Alexander Acevedo | 2,182 | 22.11 | |
| Nonpartisan | Hilario Dominguez | 2,056 | 20.83 | |
| Nonpartisan | Aida Flores | 1,912 | 19.37 | |
| Nonpartisan | Troy Antonio Hernandez | 835 | 8.46 | |
| Total votes | 9,870 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Byron Sigcho-Lopez | 5,224 | 54.20 | |
| Nonpartisan | Alexander Acevedo | 4,414 | 45.80 | |
| Total votes | 9,638 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Byron Sigcho-Lopez (incumbent) | 4,201 | 52.94 | |
| Nonpartisan | Aida Flores | 3,374 | 47.06 | |
| Total votes | 7,935 | 100 | ||