1. Maria Elaine Hadden is an American politician and community activist from Chicago.
21 Facts About Maria Hadden
1. 2.
Maria Hadden is a member of the Chicago City Council, serving as alderperson for the city's 49th ward.
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Maria Hadden won election to that office after defeating 28-year incumbent Joe Moore in the 2019 election, and was reelected in 2023.
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Maria Hadden is a member of the Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus, and LGBT Caucus in the City Council.
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Maria Hadden earned her bachelor's degree in international peace and conflict studies from the Ohio State University, and subsequently moved to Waukegan, Illinois to begin a job with the AmeriCorps VISTA program in 2003.
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Maria Hadden later earned a master's degree in international public service management from DePaul University.
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Maria Hadden later served as the executive director of the non-profit Our City Our Voice.
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Maria Hadden served on the boards of directors of the non-profit Voqal and of Black Youth Project 100.
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Maria Hadden has been an active member of Network 49, an independent political organization based in Rogers Park, and of United Working Families.
10.
On January 20,2018, Maria Hadden announced her campaign to run for alderman in the 49th ward, which covers most of Rogers Park and portions of West Ridge.
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Maria Hadden's campaign emphasized development without displacement, funding local public schools, and supporting a strong local economy as key issues in the race.
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Maria Hadden received several endorsements from progressive activist groups, labor unions, and local politicians such Chuy Garcia and David Orr.
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Maria Hadden won a majority of the vote in 32 out of 33 precincts in the ward.
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Maria Hadden was sworn in as a member of Chicago City Council on May 20,2019.
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Maria Hadden was one of 11 aldermen who voted against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed 2020 budget, alongside 8 other members of the progressive caucus.
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Maria Hadden sponsored a "senior safety" ordinance, in collaboration with the Jane Addams senior caucus, that was passed in July 2020.
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Maria Hadden was an early co-sponsor of legislation to ban single-use plastics and styrofoam in most restaurants.
18.
Maria Hadden announced support for other candidates in run-off elections who, like her, had been endorsed by United Working Families: Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Rafa Yanez, and Jeanette Taylor.
19.
Maria Hadden declined to make an endorsement in the 2019 mayoral election, citing her goal of being an independent alderman as well as strong support received by both run-off candidates in the 49th ward in the first round.
20.
Maria Hadden was selected as the treasurer for the Progressive Caucus.
21.
Maria Hadden has pledged to join the council's Women's Caucus.