A write-in candidate, Vargas has worked for the past year as a field organizer in progressive political campaigns and voter engagement and mobilization, as well as with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association on affordable housing.

“I have experience working on successful grassroots progressive campaigns, voter engagement and mobilization for the last year,” Vargas says. “I also worked with Logan Square Neighborhood Association during the summertime, being home from college, organizing for affordable housing in the neighborhood.”

United Neighbors of the 35th Ward has endorsed.

Image of a bullhorn denoting the candidate has an activist or organizer background.
Activist or organizer Credit: Amber Huff
Illustration of a suit coat and tie, denoting the candidate has political endorsment(s).
Political endorsement Credit: Amber Huff
Image of dove, indicating candidate supports more police accountability
Supports more police accountability Credit: Amber Huff

Candidate questionnaire responses

  • Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
  • Do you have experience interacting with CPD? No
  • Do you have experience working or interacting with government? No
  • Should the city hire more police officers? No
  • Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should be reduced.
  • CPD reform: The police should be defunded or abolished.
  • Mental health crises: Police should not be involved in mental health crisis calls at all.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

  • Communicating with the department on behalf of the community
  • Establishing civilian control of the police department
  • Other: “Listening to people’s stories, getting those people involved and educating the public on policies and budget.”

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I was asked to run by people in my community, since only white men planned to run and historically police brutality has affected marginalized communities. I plan to be a source of safety who people can share their stories with and a source of building a strong coalition of people who want to see change with the city budget and police policies. I come from a family who has suffered at the hands of police and plan to do my best at unionizing the constituents to see a change city-wide.