Proco Joe Moreno
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
May 19, 1972
Proco Joe Moreno | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 1st ward | |
| In office March 26, 2010 – May 20, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Manny Flores |
| Succeeded by | Daniel La Spata |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Proco Joe Moreno III May 19, 1972 Moline, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Augustana College (BA) DePaul University (MBA) |
Proco Joe Moreno III (born May 19, 1972) is an American politician who served as alderman from the 1st ward in the Chicago City Council. He was appointed to replace Manny Flores on March 26, 2010. His term ended on May 20, 2019, after his loss to Daniel La Spata in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic elections. The 1st Ward of Chicago incorporates areas including: Wicker Park, Bucktown, East Village, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square and the southeastern tip of Roscoe Village.
Moreno was born in Moline, Illinois, and moved to Chicago after graduating from Augustana College, with a B.A. in Business and Art. Moreno has an M.B.A. from DePaul University and was vice president at a printing company before becoming Alderman.[1] Moreno graduated from the Metropolitan Leadership Institute of United Neighborhood Organization (UNO), which seeks to develop political leaders within the Hispanic community.[2]
Political career
In 2008, Moreno ran in the Democratic primary election against incumbent Illinois State Senator Willie Delgado in District 2 and lost.[3]
Chicago City Council
After 1st ward alderman Manny Flores was appointed by then Gov. Pat Quinn to lead the Illinois Commerce Commission, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley appointed Moreno to fill the rest of his term as alderman in March 2010.[4]
Moreno won his first full term in the February 22, 2011, Chicago municipal elections, after receiving the endorsements of the Chicago Tribune[5] and Chicago Sun-Times. It was during this term that Moreno attempted to block a Chick-fil-a chicken restaurant from being built in his ward due to the company's political views. Moreno demanded the company change its discriminatory policies while critics questioned his commitment to free speech, religious liberties and the first amendment.[6]
Moreno's bid for a second full term proved to be a greater challenge than his first, as he drew three challengers: Anne Shaw, an attorney; Andrew Hamilton, also an attorney; and Ronda Locke, a former staffer to the Alderman. Moreno won the election with over 51% overall vote.[7]
In 2019, Moreno lost to political newcomer Daniel La Spata.
Chick-fil-A and gay marriage
In July 2012, Moreno said he denied the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A a permit to open a restaurant on North Elston Avenue. His stated reason was because the company's president held different beliefs on gay marriage (opposition) than Moreno. In September of that year, Moreno said he spoke to Chick-fil-A executives and that they told him they would distribute a "statement of tolerance" to their employees and operators.[8]
After speaking with the executives, Moreno said he would allow Chick-fil-A to open the restaurant. Later in October, Moreno again said he would block the permit after saying he heard the company president state on cable TV that the company's policies on gay marriage have not changed.[8]