Ald. Jason Ervin Faces 1 Challenger In 28th Ward Race

GARFIELD PARK — Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) is facing one potential challenger as he seeks a fifth City Council term — but her candidacy is currently being contested. Precious Joy Frasier is the only candidate who filed petitions to take on the incumbent alderperson in the February municipal election. The 28th Ward includes parts of Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Pilsen, Little Village, Little Italy and the West Loop. Ervin, a former local school council member at Tilton Elementary School and Westinghouse Career Academy, was appointed to his seat by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2011. He won the election later that year and has been reelected every election since then. Ervin leads the City Council’s Committee on the Budget and Government Operations and is one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s closest allies. He has served as the chairman of the council’s Black Caucus. He is married to City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. A West Side native, Frasier is focusing on building generational wealth in the ward, increasing the supply of affordable housing and improving community safety. A political newcomer, her background includes experience as a community advocate, entrepreneur and nonprofit leader, according to her campaign website . One initiative she is pursuing is transforming a former Chicago Public Schools building into the Goldblatt Girls Academy community campus that would offer mentorship and training on life skills, financial literacy and career exploration. Previously Frasier was featured as a rising star by Atlanta publication VoyageATL Magazine for her organization Purity is Precious, which supports girls’ sexual health. She is the author of the book “A Virgin and Miserable,” according to the magazine. Frasier faces a challenge to her petitions filed by Kathy L. Davis and Bernadine Bradford-Coleman, according to the Chicago Board of Elections . Aldermanic candidates were required to submit 473 valid petition signatures to get on the Feb. 23 ballot. Hearings for petition challenges began this week. The board is expected to certify the final ballot by mid-December. ______________________________________________________________________ Support Local News! Subscribe to Block Club Chicago , an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription , or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation. Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: From Stoves To Overhead Heat: The History Of The CTA’s Warming Lamps Episode play icon From Stoves To Overhead Heat: The History Of The CTA’s Warming Lamps Episode play icon Should Chicago Have Public Festival Grounds? It’s On The Ballot. Episode play icon Need A Halloween Costume? A Chicago Thrifting Expert Shares Her Secrets Load More Search Results placeholder Previous Episode Show Episodes List Next Episode