Chicago mayoral candidate profile: Roderick Sawyer
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The son of Eugene Sawyer, the former alderman and mayor who took over after the death of Harold Washington, Roderick Sawyer has represented the 6th Ward on Chicago’s City Council since 2011. Before becoming alderman, Sawyer operated his own law firm focused mostly on licensing issues. Though largely a moderate in his first two terms, he was a member of City Council’s Progressive Caucus, which pushed back against some of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s policies. Despite being her choice to lead council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations, Sawyer and Mayor Lori Lightfoot have clashed over efforts to create a civilian body with oversight of the Chicago Police Department — an initiative Sawyer led — and a commission to study giving descendants of enslaved African Americans reparations.
Age: 59
Born: Chicago
Personal: Married to wife Cheryll Aikens; two children, Sydni Celeste and Roderick T. Jr.
Education: Bachelors in Finance, DePaul University, J.D. from IIT-Chicago Kent
Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing
Current job: 6th Ward Alderman
Government experience: Alderman, Chicago City Council (2011-current)
Political experience: Democratic committeeperson (2012-current), Chairman of City Council Black Caucus (2015-2019), LSC Chairman of McDade Classical School (2000-2010)
Campaign slogan: “Reset Chicago”
Campaign website: sawyer4chicago.com
Sawyer’s responses to Tribune candidate questionnaire: Click here
Other candidates’ questionnaire responses: Click here
Who is on the ballot: 2023 Chicago mayoral election guide
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