Alderman Helen Shiller, 46th Ward

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A thirty-four year resident of the 46th Ward and Alderman since 1987, Helen Shiller has a long history of being a voice for the voiceless and fighting for the principles of a transparent government and an affordable and diverse city.

Affiliations

Current Memberships

Board Member of the Jewish Council On Urban Affairs
Board Member of Kuumba Lynx Youth Performance Group
Board Member of Kuumba Lynx College Scholarship Program (funded by portion of Alderman Shiller’s salary) (read testimonials from recipients)
Member of the Uplift Community School Advisory Committee
Honorary Member of Phi Theta Kappa (given honorary membership for her commitment to education)
Member of Independent Voters of Illinois
National Organization for Women

Previous Memberships

Co-Chairperson of the Heart of Uptown Coalition (1983-1987)
Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization Newsletter Editor (1983-1985)
Director Mayor Washington’s Political Education Project (1984)
Executive Director Employment Action Coalition (1979-1980)

Awards

Alderman Shiller is grateful to have been recognized by many organizations over the years.

2006

Gay Games VII
100 Champions Legends Award

In The Press

Excerpts of press coverage of Alderman Shiller. View a more complete archive.

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Indeed, when it comes to the lock-step following of the Democratic party line today, there is only one exception — Ald. Helen Shiller (46th). For nearly 20 years, the independent Democrat and former 1960s radical has been a lone voice in the council wilderness for public debate, discussion and decision-making.

Patrick T. Reardon, (Chicago Tribune, July 2, 2006)

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Scholarship Fund

In 1999 when aldermen received a pay increase, Helen Shiller began donating a portion of her salary to the Uptown/Kuumba Lynx Scholarship Fund. The fund provides supplemental scholarships to college freshman who are Uptown residents and/or who participated for at least a

Morgan

full year in Kuumba Lynx during their senior year of high school. It also provides emergency loans to students who need a bridge loan and might otherwise be forced to interrupt their education.

Two of this year's recipients were Caryn and Morgan.

Full Press Archive

Active Image

In 1989, Ald. Shiller took the lead in creating a comprehensive anti-domestic violence policy that eventually resulted in a complete overhaul of Chicago Police Department protocol. The photo to the left is the initial press conference introducing the ord Active Image inances.

Also in 1989, Ald. Shiller took the lead in supporting a series of youth education and recreation programs throughout the Ward. One of those programs, the Youth on Youth summer school program has produced nearly two dozen Chicago Public School teachers, six of whom currently work at the Uplift Community School. Early on, as a 6th grader, Karla Zaccor [in photo on right] was served by Youth On Youth. Later, as a college student, she worked at Youth on Youth during her summer vacation from College. Today she's' a public school teacher.

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Current Memberships

Previous Memberships

2006

About Helen