Newsletter #5: Standing Up to Corporate Interests
Welcome to the Kalen for 44th Ward campaign newsletter. It’s a newsletter that’s focused on how we can make a better Lakeview for All, together.
Before we dive in: This campaign is powered by neighbors — not corporations — and we need your help to run this grassroots effort. Donate to support this grassroots campaign! I need your help to fight for all of us! Thank you!
We also need volunteers to knock on doors and collect signatures to get me on the ballot. Sign up to canvass throughout the week and every weekend!
Policy Corner: Corporate Money and the 44th Ward
Who Our Current Alderman is Really Voting For
Chicago is home to more than 600,000 renters, thousands of tipped service workers, and a perpetual budget crisis. Again and again, the choice comes down to this: do we ask struggling residents to pay more, or ask the city's largest corporations and wealthiest individuals to pay their share? On issue after issue, the record shows our current alderman siding with corporate interests over his own constituents — and collecting donations from them.
Today: the first in a series on our current alderman’s conflicts of interest.
Conflict of interest #1: PRO vs. FAIR
This year, Chicago City Council is choosing between two paths on renter protections: the Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) and a rival measure, the Fair and Accountable Illinois Rental Ordinance (FAIR). I laid out my thinking on PRO vs. FAIR on video here. Short version: I support PRO. It's better for renters like me and the 63% of 44th Ward residents who rent, and a 2026 analysis by the Institute for the Public Good found no evidence that similar policies choke off new development or pass on costs to renters.
FAIR is not an above-board counterproposal. Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Sheridan found that the ordinance's own filing metadata names its creator: One Future Illinois, a business-backed nonprofit and PAC launched in 2024 by Rahm Emanuel-era operatives amid clashes with Mayor Johnson's administration. Sheridan reported that the group itself describes its role as coordinating with civic and business organizations and elected officials to advance shared priorities. One Future Illinois's own PAC filings show its largest disclosed donor is $144,000 from the Building Owners and Managers Association. Simply put, it’s funded by real estate money.
With FAIR, a group of alders introduced legislation drafted for them by a real estate-backed PAC. That's not "working together," that's outsourcing the job of legislating to the industry that legislators are supposed to regulate. Supporting that bill against your constituents' interests, while taking donations from the same industry that wrote it, is a textbook conflict of interest. It's also, unfortunately, legal.
Ethics and legality are two different things.
My opponent has taken $118,750 from 68 individual donors and PACs my campaign has tied to real estate and property management, using Illinois's Sunshine Law disclosures. Nearly a third of that ($38,800) came in just the past 12 months.
2026 alone brought the current alderman $31,300 from real estate and property management donors — and that's only through July 15, before I even entered the race. Our current alderman even took personal donations from the president of One Future Illinois PAC!
My opponent's record and his donor list tell the same story: he prioritizes the people who fund him and who draft the legislation he supports over the people he represents. The 44th Ward deserves better. If elected, I pledge to represent my constituents — not corporate donors. I will not take money from corporate interests, and I will not carry water for legislation written by them. Our current alderman can't say the same.
How can you help this grassroots campaign?
We have one month left to get me on the ballot, so I’m throwing a petition party fundraiser Tuesday, 9/29 at 6:30 pm to kick off the final stretch of petition season.
This campaign is funded and powered by neighbors — not corporate PACs or special interests. Your contribution makes a real difference. We rely on grassroots support to create campaign materials, host community events, and reach voters across the 44th Ward.
Join our grassroots movement to build a better Lakeview together.
This Week in Running for Office
What have I been up to?
Wednesday, September 23
I stood with our allies in the People’s Unity Platform in a rally outside City Hall to publicly launch a budget campaign to fight for a city budget that demands the wealthiest individuals and corporations in the city pay what they owe, so that we can fund key services and build a city where we all can thrive.
I proudly attended the Diversey Community Coalition ComEd Meeting to participate and support their goal to prioritize transit-oriented development. This is key in my campaign to help make our streets safer and more accommodating to pedestrians.
Thursday, September 24
I started with Thursday morning canvassing Lakeview to get signatures on my petition to get on the ballot! Along with volunteers, I shared my vision for a Lakeview for all at Belmont and Broadway. Please join us for future canvassing — we’ll show you everything you need to know, and I will be personally grateful for your help!
In the evening, I joined DSA for both their pre-social action and social mixer. We petitioned to get me on the ballot and then met at Cheesie's Pub & Grub for comradery, food, and fun!
What’s coming up next?
Friday, September 25
I am proud to join the Chicago Teachers Union’s annual Legislators Educators Appreciation Dinner (LEAD) on Friday evening. This event celebrates and brings together elected officials, community leaders, and educators to honor those who champion equity and justice, a cause I feel strongly fits in with building a better, safer, stronger Lakeview and Chicago!
Saturday, September 26
Kidical Mass - Join me on Saturday, September 26 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Nettelhorst School for a family-friendly bike ride! Meet at Nettelhorst near the front playlot at 9 a.m., roll out at 9:15 a.m.
Diversey Community Coalition ComEd Rally - Participate and support prioritizing transit-oriented development. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1111 W. Diversey Park.
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing - Join me and your neighbors at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Intelligensia. Help get me on the ballot!
Parking Day 2026 - Celebrate Parking Day, a Chicago Big Tent Urbanist Network Event to support the better use of parking across Chicago! 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Dovetail Brewery.
Sunday, September 27
Kalen for 44th Ward Canvassing - Join me and your queer neighbors at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Elevate Coffee in Boystown to get me on the ballot! Then join me for a fun social from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Roscoe’s Tavern!
Tuesday, September 29
Petition Party Fundraiser - It's the final stretch of petition season, so come help me get on the ballot to support building more homes, safe streets, and a people-powered government. My campaign is funded by neighbors — not corporate PACs or special interests. Your contribution makes a real difference. Use the link to buy a ticket and get a free drink! More food and drinks for purchase.
Wednesday, September 30
Lakeview Urbanist’s Monthly Social Mixer - Join us for Lakeview Urbanist’s monthly meeting and social mixer at Cody’s Public House from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grab a drink, meet your neighbors, and help them grow their impact in 2026.
19th Police District Council Meeting - Join us for the monthly 19th Police District Council meeting at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 1
October Monthly Meeting: Strong Towns Chicago - Meet up with Strong Towns Chicago leads and fellow volunteers to discuss ongoing initiatives and ways to get involved from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 2
Nettlehorst Bike Bus - Join the ride from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.! More details at
https://nettelhorstbikebus.org/route.
Get Involved!
Palin’ with Kalen
This section is supposed to be where I give you a little peek into my life outside of the campaign, but this one is going to be a bit different. When I decided to run for City Council, I knew that it would take a lot of time and hard work. And it surely has been.
But what I couldn’t imagine is how many of my friends, family, and neighbors would be eager to help out — whether that be spending a couple hours knocking on doors or helping me make a video about my platform. This work takes a village, and I’m forever grateful for everyone who has already helped me. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.
