Alderman Daniel "Danny" Solis brings vision, leadership, and action to the diverse 25th Ward community. His impressive 30-year history of dedicated service to his community is evidence of his commitment to neighborhood improvement.
As leader of the 25th Ward, Solis has implemented an aggressive plan for job creation and retention, while simultaneously enhancing and promoting the wealth of institutional resources already established within the ward. Solis' primary objective has been in making the 25th Ward attractive and affordable for industrial relocation, creating a new source of employment for local residents.
However, this priority is not to be overshadowed by Solis' intense focus on physical improvements throughout the ward. Through beautification projects, infrastructure repairs, and institutional expansion, Solis has not only capitalized on the positive aspects of the various constituents within the ward, but has nurtured its development into major hubs of cultural activity at the City of Chicago. Utilizing the communities' assets of immigration tradition, Solis has promoted the 25th Ward as primary host to Chinese, Italian and Mexican culture.
As a citywide leader, Solis has also emerged as a key actor in Chicago's political landscape, representing the area's burgeoning Latino community. A staunch ally of Mayor Richard M. Daley, in 2001, Solis was appointed President Pro Tempore of the City Council, overseeing council proceedings in the Mayor's absence. Of course, his role as a citywide leader is not new to Solis. In fact, it is his wealth of experience and history in community development that has facilitated Solis' handling of issues important to communities beyond the 25th Ward boundaries.
Danny Solis knows his community. He has served in various positions beginning his public service career as a dedicated teacher. Solis was also founder and Executive Director of Latino Youth Alternative High School and became the first Latino Executive Director of the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for the Eighteen Street Development Corporation and Gads Hill Center.
However, it was as a Co-founder and Executive Director of the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) that led to Solis' greatest triumphs in the not-for-profit sector. Solis led the most significant and successful campaigns within Chicago's Latino communities bringing forth an active citizenry. These campaigns included the 1986 IRCA campaign that allowed thousands of undocumented immigrants to seek amnesty as U.S. Residents, followed by the historic 1992 naturalization campaign that eventually assisted well over 50,000 Latino immigrants in applying for U.S. Citizenship. These became model programs not only in Chicago, but also on a national level. In 1995 Solis was appointed as Chairman of Mayor Daley's Citizenship Assistance Council which oversaw the naturalization for over 70, 000 immigrants from around the world.
Through passion and commitment to community, hard work and tough decision-making, Solis has laid the foundation in the 25th Ward for further growth and development. Yet, he recognizes that much work remains. It is inarguable, however, that in a span of 5 short years, Daniel Solis has already left an indelible mark on the 25th Ward and in the lives of its residents. It is a stamp, which promises a better future for the generations who will make the 25th Ward their home.
