Helen Shiller: Memories of a Ward Organizer
Portoluz will present Helen Shiller: Memories of a Ward Organizer at Ten Cat Tavern, 3901 N. Ashland, Sunday, September 11th at 6 p.m.
Helen Shiller, a former Chicago Alderman, recently retired from the Chicago City Council.
Shiller moved to Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood in the 1970’s as a community organizer. The Heart of Uptown Coalition, which Shiller co-founded in the 70’s was a political and social service organization and provided an array of programs geared toward providing essential services for the poor, including medical clinics, and with a special focus on black lung disease; a legal aid clinic, food pantries and services for the poor.
 At the request of the late Mayor Harold Washington, Helen Shiller ran for Alderman of the 46th Ward, and in 1987 and was elected. In the City Council, she led legislation that focused on improving the quality of life for the residents (of the 46th Ward and) throughout the city. She fought for the passing of the human rights ordinance, recycling programs and for public health and safety in the Chicago Public Schools. She initiated and passed a tough anti-apartheid ordinance in 1990, and her budget amendment tripled the city’s AIDS budget in 1992. She co- sponsored the domestic partners ordinance extending benefits for unmarried couples.
Throughout her aldermanic career, Alderman Shiller struggled in support of affordable housing with a focus on development without displacement. “We are happy to have this opportunity to hear from the Honorable Helen Shiller, her own thoughts on all of this, having just retired from the Chicago City Council,†Portoluz said.
