Deborah L.

Graham
29th Ward Alderman & Committeeman

As Alderman of the City of Chicago’s 29th Ward, Deborah L. Graham brings with
her to the Chicago City Council the ambitious agenda she advanced during her
four terms as an Illinois State Representative. During her time in Springfield,
Graham forged an impressive legislative record. She is a successful advocate on
behalf of people facing considerable social and economic challenges. Alderman
Graham is committed to making the 29th Ward and the City of Chicago a stable,
enjoyable and safe place to live and work.

A lifelong resident of the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side, Graham got
her first taste of community service volunteering with her grandmother. Together,
they fed the homeless and coordinated services and activities for seniors through
her church.

Graham was also encouraged by her family to pursue education as a means to

build a solid career foundation. She is the first member of her immediate family
to graduate high school and college, and has seen the value of education first
hand. Graham put herself through college balancing the demands of family, work
and education, graduating with a degree in Business Administration.

Graham found herself homeless with two young daughters, after escaping an
abusive marriage. With hard work and the help of friends in the community,
Graham found Inner Voice, a community organization helping homeless women in
her position. After finding stable housing, she chose to dedicate her career to
public service, first by working at Inner Voice.

Graham, a 16 year survivor of domestic violence, became a case manager at

Inner Voice, where she helped meet more than 40 families’ needs in an array of
socially challenging areas including health care, substance abuse, employment
readiness, and domestic violence. Later, in the position of Senior Case Manager,
Graham oversaw a $365,000 budget for the Inner Voice program designed to
counter homelessness by encouraging self-sufficiency. Under Graham’s direction,
the program achieved an 87 percent retention rate.

First elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2002, Graham rose to be a

respected leader and compassionate voice for people facing severe economic and
social barriers. In particular, Graham carved out a distinguished record
supporting legislation involving gun control, health care accessibility, cracking
down on predatory lending, expanding environmental protection, and increasing
child safety. Graham was re-elected to the General Assembly in 2004, 2006, and
2008.

By appointing her as 29th Ward Alderman in 2010, Mayor Richard M. Daley showed
his recognition of Deborah Graham’s impressive record of leadership and of her
long-term support from the community in her service as a State Representative.

Alderman Deborah L. Graham now serves on the City Council’s Rules and Ethics
Committee, License and Consumer Protection Committee, Special Events and
Cultural Affairs Committee, Traffic Control and Safety Committee, and the
Transportation and Public Way Committee. She is the Democratic Committeeman
of the 29th Ward. Graham holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Robert Morris University
in Business Administration.

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