Bernie Hansen was a longtime Chicago alderman, serving on the Chicago City Council from 1983 to 2002, when he retired as alderman of the 44th Ward citing health reasons.
10 Facts About Bernie Hansen
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Bernie Hansen sponsored or co-sponsored several human rights ordinances, including the Human Rights Ordinance expanding protection against discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and credit to gay males, lesbians, and persons with disabilities, an ordinance to assist victims of hate crimes, and a 1997 ordinance Hansen introduced to extend health-care benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian city employees.
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Thomas M Tunney, his successor as 44th Ward alderman whom Hansen had "hand-picked", became Chicago's first openly gay alderman.
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Bernie Hansen was an active proponent of environmentalist measures, including recycling programs and the extension of Chicago's moratorium against the creation of new landfills.
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Some residents of the Lakeview community voiced concern that Bernie Hansen was more concerned with building expensive condos and co-ops, then re-building the neighborhood with affordable housing during his tenure.
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Bernie Hansen served on the board of many community councils as well as fund raising organizations, including the John Merlo Sports Program.
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Bernie Hansen made an attempt to be a Democratic Congressional Candidate for Illinois's 5th congressional district in 2002, but when the Democratic National Committee backed Clinton Administration staffer Rahm Emanuel in the race, Bernie Hansen withdrew and soon after resigned from the 44th Ward Aldermanic seat.
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Bernie Hansen was married to Annette and had two sons, Paul and David.
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Bernie Hansen attended the University of Chicago and had residences in both Chicago and Arizona.
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Bernie Hansen was a longtime Chicago Cubs fan and avid golfer.