West Lawn Attorney Challenges Ald. Silvana Tabares In 23rd Ward

WEST LAWN — A West Lawn attorney is challenging Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) in the February municipal election. Leonardo Rojas-Banda and Tabares both filed nominating petitions for the Southwest Side ward seat this week, according to Chicago Board of Election Commissioners records. Tabares has represented the ward since being appointed to the position in 2018. Rojas-Banda, an attorney and community organizer, grew up in West Lawn and graduated from Hubbard High School in 2016. He previously worked in Gov. JB Pritzker’s office, first as a Freedom of Information Act officer and later as an assistant general counsel. He also worked for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, helping residents apply for SNAP and Medicaid benefits, and chairs the Civic Empowerment pillar at Southwest Action Network. Rojas-Banda launched his campaign in August, saying federal immigration enforcement in the neighborhood was a major factor in his decision to run. He wants the ward office to help immi