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Meet Susanna"Our community deserves responsive, inclusive leadership and a thriving local economy where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. I’m running for 45th Ward alderperson because having lived and volunteered here for 20 years, I not only have a vision for a better future — I have the experience to put that vision into action."
-Susanna Ernst |
Susanna has deep roots in the 45th Ward. An active and deeply invested resident of Jefferson Park for over 20 years, Susanna has a strong track record of leadership and service that connects her to the vibrant communities across the Ward and the entire City of Chicago. Through her work as a leader and volunteer in numerous northwest side non-profit organizations, Susanna is well poised to bring the community together as the first Alderwoman of the 45th Ward.
Susanna’s history of community engagement speaks for itself. In 2001, she co-founded the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, going on to serve as president and leading the organization through its formative years. She went on to play key co-founding and leadership roles in the Northwest Chicago Historical Society, Jefferson Park Forward, and the 45th Ward Participatory Budgeting Committee. Additionally, she orchestrated the inclusion of the northwest side in Open House Chicago and brought the community together to provide input on ward redistricting through Change Illinois.
Her volunteer leadership experience and professional achievements have given Susanna strong skills in organizational budgeting, fundraising, strategic planning; policy development and analysis; historical research; the participatory budget process; public speaking and community education, and so much more. In her words, “It’s been non-stop for years; I have such a passion for my neighborhood and neighbors. I can’t wait to do even more.”
Coupled with her professional background in finance, market research, and information services, she brings an informed, experienced, and collaborative professional and volunteer background to the table. Susanna is a proven leader, bringing vision, teamwork, and drive to not only launch, but complete, every project she touches. A fierce advocate for positive change, a lead-by-example collaborator and a staunch proponent of preserving heritage, Susanna is uniquely qualified to lead the 45th Ward.
Hailing from a proud union home in the Rust Belt, Susanna’s parents were both schoolteachers. Her mother grew up in grinding poverty in Appalachia, and her father was the son of a postal worker. Being a union family, hard work and civic engagement were
considered essential to personal success and part of the path to building a flourishing community.
Living in a historic 108-year-old bungalow in the heart of the 45th Ward, Susanna and her husband of 13 years, Frank, are fervently engaged in local goings-on from historic preservation, parks programs, socializing at local events and festivals, dining at neighborhood restaurants, and biking or walking in the amazing nearby forest preserves and parks.
Susanna’s history of community engagement speaks for itself. In 2001, she co-founded the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, going on to serve as president and leading the organization through its formative years. She went on to play key co-founding and leadership roles in the Northwest Chicago Historical Society, Jefferson Park Forward, and the 45th Ward Participatory Budgeting Committee. Additionally, she orchestrated the inclusion of the northwest side in Open House Chicago and brought the community together to provide input on ward redistricting through Change Illinois.
Her volunteer leadership experience and professional achievements have given Susanna strong skills in organizational budgeting, fundraising, strategic planning; policy development and analysis; historical research; the participatory budget process; public speaking and community education, and so much more. In her words, “It’s been non-stop for years; I have such a passion for my neighborhood and neighbors. I can’t wait to do even more.”
Coupled with her professional background in finance, market research, and information services, she brings an informed, experienced, and collaborative professional and volunteer background to the table. Susanna is a proven leader, bringing vision, teamwork, and drive to not only launch, but complete, every project she touches. A fierce advocate for positive change, a lead-by-example collaborator and a staunch proponent of preserving heritage, Susanna is uniquely qualified to lead the 45th Ward.
Hailing from a proud union home in the Rust Belt, Susanna’s parents were both schoolteachers. Her mother grew up in grinding poverty in Appalachia, and her father was the son of a postal worker. Being a union family, hard work and civic engagement were
considered essential to personal success and part of the path to building a flourishing community.
Living in a historic 108-year-old bungalow in the heart of the 45th Ward, Susanna and her husband of 13 years, Frank, are fervently engaged in local goings-on from historic preservation, parks programs, socializing at local events and festivals, dining at neighborhood restaurants, and biking or walking in the amazing nearby forest preserves and parks.
Read about Susanna's many contributions to our Community
NORTHWESt historical society- president and co-founder (2003-present)
- Co-founded organization for the Northwest Side of Chicago; formerly the JEFFERSON PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
- Co-author, research, and distribute bi- annual newsletters since 2003 – built out to a circulation of 500
- Co-managing internet presence and social media for the organization, including a meetup group of 1500+ people
- Engaging in Preservation and landmarking efforts for structures in Jefferson Park
- Jefferson Park Firehouse (Saved! Landmarking in progress) – 2021
- Downtown Business District (in progress)
- Our Lady of Victory Church (in progress)
- Collaborated on regional research projects in adjacent communities
- Researched. published, and presented materials on social history and urban renewal in Indiana – 2022
- Developed an ethnic tour in the rust belt of Indiana (in progress)
- Website consulting for a collaborative historical project on urban renewal in New York – 2022
- Partnership with City Year Chicago (AmeriCorps)
- Presented history, demography, and economics of the NW Side on “Community Learning Day” – 2021
- Collaborated in a “Community Impact Project” in creating a historic mural in Jefferson Park – 2022
- Conducting regular meetings, lectures, and presentations locally – multiple times annually
- Co-authoring Arcadia Book “Jefferson Park” (to be released in late 2023)
- Researching and publishing the robust and accurate historic information for the Northwest Side; a first for the area
- Providing guidance for the local community on how to find resources and research their own properties
jefferson park forward- co-founder and former director of community development (2016-present)
- Co-founded a neighborhood organization to advocate for a socially just, economically robust, environmentally resilient, and people-centered community through event programming, education, and fundraising.
- Created the areas first “PARK(ing) Day” event: an annual festival celebrating arts & human interaction in public parking spaces
- Conducting presentations, seminars, and discussion groups on creating a livable, walkable, cohesive community
- Spearheading the area’s first city-funded experiment in placemaking: creating a public plaza from a vacated alley
- Collaborating with our community to bring solutions to our parks that are equitable and eco-friendly
- Promoting economic growth through community-based initiatives that support local businesses
- Collaborating with surrounding community groups and political leaders
"4kn" walking museum- steering committee (2018-2021)
- Co-leading the steering committee for a walking museum that follows Irving Park Road (situated in the city at 4000N).
- Directed by The Chicago Public Art Group, American Indian Center, and Portage Park Neighborhood Association, it is an interpretive learning experience for people to visit neighborhoods and learn about history along the road.
- Creating narratives videos of historic events along the walking museum path
- Playing a key role in fundraisers, including working with collaborating with local business owners and politicians
- Participating in mound building events at the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers
- Advocating for more complete and visible history for local native Americans
chicago architecture center- open house host and former Docent (2005-2008, 2016-2019)
- Hosted “Open House Chicago” for the Northwest Side, working across Portage Park/6 Corners and Jefferson Park
- Worked with Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce and Six Corners Association to create marketing materials
- Promoted event through social media and business contacts
- Coordinated sites on Northwest side; developed robust tours for key sites – hosted over 1000 people
45th ward office- participatory Budgeting Steering Committee (2017-2019)
- Collected information from residents about their preferences for their tax dollars are spent
- Researched and created marketing materials for infrastructure projects
- Promoted projects at public venues and local events
- Executed the vote for the local community and assisted in communication of results
aldermanic forum planning committee- steering committee 2018
- Worked as a key leader across ten local organizations to create an aldermanic forum before an election
- Personally hosted the event (on behalf of all ten organizations) at the Copernicus Center in 2018
andrew jackson language academy- principal selection committee (2015)
- Worked with local LSC to provide input in selection of new principal for school
- Engaged in interviews and discussion groups; wrote up analyses for final selection
midwest adventure travel club- volunteer trip planner (2005-2010)
- Created exotic/fun trips for Chicago Adventure Travelers (India, Cuba, Mexico, Pilgrim’s Route in Southern England)
jefferson park neighborhood association- co-founder and past president (2001-2003)
- Co-created and led the first modern neighborhood association for Jefferson Park
- Established community relationships that spawned new organizations in the community
- Initiated stronger community communication vehicles and beautification projects
jeff fest- coordination committee and volunteer (2003-present)
- Worked with Chamber of Commerce to plan the neighborhood festival
- Providing local programming, tours, and general volunteerism for event
miscellaneous activities- volunteer work (2010-Present)
- Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce – Organizing neighborhood organizations to direct COVID fund dispersal
- Jefferson Memorial Park & Advisory Council – Midnight Circus in the Park, Holiday Parties, Clean-ups
- Jefferson Park Sunday Market – Volunteer for set-up/take down
- Earth Day Celebrations / Neighborhood cleanups – Volunteer and co-leader for some activities
- Northern Illinois Food Bank – Food packing volunteer
Paid for by Friends of Susanna Ernst © 2022