11 Facts About Leslie Hairston

Leslie Hairston was born on July 17,1961 and is an American politician who previously served as alderperson of the 5th ward of the City of Chicago from her first election in 1999 until retiring in 2023.

Leslie Hairston was re-elected in 2003,2007,2011,2015 and 2019.

Leslie Hairston is an alumna of the University of Chicago Lab Schools.

Leslie Hairston handled litigation for the office of the Illinois Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor's Office, where she argued before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Leslie Hairston is a member of the South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council, the Jackson Park Advisory Council, and the O'Keeffe Area Council.

Leslie Hairston was a member of the McFarland Mental Health Center with the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Development Disabilities and a former beat facilitator for CAPS.

Leslie Hairston was elected in 1999, when she defeated an incumbent in her first race.

Leslie Hairston sits on five committees: Buildings; Rules and Ethics; Human Relations; Parks and Recreation; and Special Events and Cultural Affairs.

Between January 2008 and July 2009, Leslie Hairston hired Chicago political consultant Delmarie Cobb to prepare newsletters and news releases and to publicize ward meetings for the alderman, and paid Cobb thousands of dollars from Leslie Hairston's campaign fund, as well as nearly $28,000 from a taxpayer-funded payroll account, available to aldermen with no scrutiny.

Leslie Hairston was one of only five Chicago aldermen to oppose the privatization of Chicago parking meters.

Leslie Hairston is a member of the Council's Progressive Reform Caucus.