Ald. Lona Lane is the first African American and first woman to hold the aldermanic seat in the 18th Ward. Lane was an aide to former 18th Ward Alderman Thomas Murphy, who left the ward to become a Circuit Court judge.
Background: Lane has an extensive history as a community activist. She served as executive director of the Greater Ashburn Planning Association, treasurer of St. Rita High School Band Booster and Wrightwood Improvement Association, vice president of Wrightwood Baseball Association and a member of the Hayes Park Advisory Council. She took the job as alderman in 2006.
The Ward: Parts of Ashburn, Wrightwood, North Beverly, Scottsdale, Auburn Gresham and Parkview make up the ward. The area is highly diverse. Parts of the area were populated originally by Irish Americans. Now African Americans and Hispanic Americans call this ward home as well. The area is mostly made up of residential, middle-class families.
The Office: Ald. Lane was appointed to alderman by former Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2006. She aims for better education, public safety, city services and economic development. Lane secured a new grocery store, senior housing and a high school for the ward. She fought against urban chicken farming and helped pass an ordinance banning ice cream trucks from the ward under suspicions that some were used to sell drugs.
Committees:
Budget and Government Operations
Committees, Rules and Ethics
Economic, Capital and Technology Development
Finance
Housing and Real Estate
Public Safety
Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation (Vice-Chair)
Joint Committee Economic, Capital and Technology Development and Health and Environmental Protection
