Local nonprofit leader, fourth-generation Chicagoan, and mother of two enters the race to become the new voice for the 45th Ward

CHICAGO — Leah Cunningham Pouw, a Wildwood resident with more than 25 years of experience advocating for children and families in government and nonprofits, today announced her candidacy for 45th Ward alderperson in the upcoming 2027 Chicago election.

“The 45th Ward offers everything families want in the city — great neighborhoods, quality schools, resilient people, and a culture and diversity that is uniquely Chicago,” Pouw said. “What we need now is an alderperson who will listen to all of its residents, be a strong voice for them in City Hall, and tackle the issues we face in our ward every day.”

Pouw comes from a blue-collar Northwest Side family — both her grandfathers were Chicago police officers, and other family members were teachers, nurses, truck drivers, and tradespeople. Her family instilled in her the value of hard work and a quality education, and she attended the University of Wisconsin. Pouw helped pay her way through school as a McDonald’s fry cook, bartender, waitress, and house cleaner. While raising two small children, she later earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago on a full scholarship.

From City Hall to Springfield, Pouw has seen firsthand how government can work for people — and how it can fail them. Now she’s bringing that experience home to the 45th Ward.

One of Pouw’s key priorities will be to boost small businesses in the ward, particularly along Milwaukee Avenue — where a recent city-sponsored study found 34% of ground-floor storefronts sat empty. She will fight to reverse that trend, improve the ward’s deteriorating infrastructure, increase public safety, and restore trust between residents and City Hall.

“I’ve spent my entire career fighting to make the system work for families and those in need. But too often it falls short — and we need to do better,” Pouw said. “The 45th Ward deserves an alderperson who will put the people first and make sure every voice is heard. From day one, my door will always be open.”

The next Chicago municipal elections are scheduled for February 23, 2027.

For more information, visit leah45.com or contact Bryson Pouw at (773) 917-0641 and info@neighborleah.com.

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