| James Balcer | |
|---|---|
| City of Chicago Alderman | |
| City of Chicago Alderman | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick Huels |
| Constituency | 11th ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 24, 1950 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois United States |
James A. Balcer (born June 24, 1950) is alderman of the 11th Ward of the City of Chicago (map). A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997.
Balcer serves on six committees: Budget and Government Operations; Energy, Environmental Protection and Public Utilities; Finance; Human Relations; Police and Fire; and Transportation and Public Way.
Balcer served as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and in 2001 was belatedly awarded the Bronze Star. He was appointed to the Council in the aftermath of a scandal about disclosures about then-Ald. Patrick Huels' private security firm that resulted in Huels' resignation.
Ald. Balcer's ward encompasses part of Chicago's Southwest Side, and includes the neighborhood of Bridgeport, which has been home to five Chicago mayors, including both Richard M. and Richard J. Daley. Ald. Balcer attracted media attention in May, 2009 for ordering the removal of a mural that had been commissioned on private property. [1] Ald. Balcer also received a 2010 "Jefferson Muzzle" from the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.
References[]
- Balcer's official contact information
- "Bolder City Council willing to challenge Daley" Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, January 24, 2006.
- "Meet the Chicago City Council" Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, May 6, 2003.
The original article can be found at James Balcer and the edit history here.