Elianne Bahena, Chief Of Staff To Retiring Alderman, Running Unopposed In 22nd Ward

LITTLE VILLAGE — Only one person is running to replace outgoing Ald. Michael Rodriguez in the 22nd Ward: the sitting alderman’s chief of staff. Elianne “Ely” Bahena was the only candidate to file petitions to run for leader of the 22nd Ward in the 2027 municipal election, according to petitions submitted to the Chicago Board of Elections by Monday’s deadline to make the ballot. Bahena is therefore in line to succeed Rodriguez, who announced in September that he would not seek reelection after two terms in office. Saying he wanted to spend more time with family, Rodriguez said he would back Bahena, his chief of staff, if she decided to run. Bahena was raised in Little Village and has lived in the neighborhood all her life, according to her campaign announcement video. Born to parents who emigrated from Mexico in the 1980s, Bahena attended Rosario Castellanos Elementary School in Little Village and later attended Roosevelt University, according to her LinkedIn. Elianne “Ely” Bahena and Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) file petitions to get Bahena on the 2027 municipal elections ballot. Credit: Facebook She joined Rodriguez’s staff during his first term in 2022 as the director of policy and community engagement in before becoming chief of staff at the beginning of his second term in July 2023, according to her LinkedIn. While serving as chief of staff for Rodriguez, Bahena, who is a United States citizen, was arrested alongside another 22nd Ward staffer during last fall’s Operation Midway Blitz while they documented immigration enforcement activity in Little Village. Both were released the following day. In 2023, Bahena was elected to serve on the 10th Police District Council, a newly created elected body that serves as civilian oversight of the department’s police districts. She launched her aldermanic campaign in mid-September in an event attended by officials including Rodriguez, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) and Patty Garcia, Democratic candidate for the 4th Congressional District. The Latino-majority ward includes much of Little Village and parts of North Lawndale and the Cicero corridor north of Midway Airport. Chicago’s municipal elections, where residents will vote for mayor, alderperson and other public offices, will be held Feb. 23. ______________________________________________________________________ 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: Need A Halloween Costume? A Chicago Thrifting Expert Shares Her Secrets Episode play icon Need A Halloween Costume? A Chicago Thrifting Expert Shares Her Secrets Episode play icon The Cubs Win The Latest Round In Their 20-Year Battle With The Rooftops Episode play icon A Billionaire’s Squirrel-Feeding Operation Is Driving Neighbors Nuts Load MoreSearch Results placeholderPrevious EpisodeShow Episodes ListNext Episode