Hadden was a founding board member of the Participatory Budgeting Project, where she worked from 2010 to 2018 to bring participatory budgeting to cities in the midwest and south.[1][4][5] She later served as the executive director of the non-profit Our City Our Voice.[4] She also served on the boards of directors of the non-profit Voqal and of Black Youth Project 100.[5][6] She has been an active member of Network 49, an independent political organization based in Rogers Park, and of United Working Families.[2]
Logo for Hadden's 2019 campaign for 49th ward alderwoman
On January 20, 2018, Hadden announced her campaign to run for alderman in the 49th ward, which covers most of Rogers Park and portions of West Ridge.[7] After the submission and processing of ballot petitions, Hadden and incumbent Joe Moore were the only candidates to make it on the ballot for the February 2019 election. Hadden's campaign emphasized development without displacement, funding local public schools, and supporting a strong local economy as key issues in the race.[3] She received several endorsements from progressive activist groups, labor unions, and local politicians such Chuy García and David Orr.[8] Although both candidates self-identified as progressives, observers and media outlets generally characterized Hadden as challenging Moore from the left.[9][10][11][12][13] Hadden won the election on February 26, 2019, with 63% of the vote.[14][15] She won a majority of the vote in 32 out of 33 precincts in the ward.[16] With her win, Hadden is the first queerwoman of color to be elected to the Chicago City Council.[17][12][18][19] While Hadden is affiliated with the Democratic Party, she has said she would be an independent alderman.[19]
After her election, Hadden said that in her first few months in office, she would pursue a full assessment of infrastructure and services in the ward and set up an advisory committee for community engagement.[20] On April 10, 2019, Hadden joined six other newly-elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.[21]
Chicago City Council (2019–present)
Hadden was sworn in as a member of Chicago City Council on May 20, 2019.[22][23]
City-wide issues
City budget
Hadden was one of 11 aldermen who voted against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed 2020 budget, alongside 8 other members of the progressive caucus.[24] In a statement about her vote, Hadden stated, "I’m optimistic about the increased investments in housing, mental health care, homelessness prevention and concrete investments in the south and west sides of our city, but remain concerned that we haven’t exhausted all prospects of progressive revenue in order to take greater strides towards a budget that starts to repair decades of harm and inequity."[25] Prior to the vote, Hadden spoke with constituents about the budget at multiple town hall meetings.[26][27][28]
Public health
Hadden sponsored a "senior safety" ordinance, in collaboration with the Jane Addams senior caucus, that was passed in July 2020. The ordinance requires building managers in senior housing to conduct regular wellness checks on residents.[29]
Environmental issues
Hadden was an early co-sponsor of legislation to ban single-use plastics and styrofoam in most restaurants.[30]
Ward-level issues
Public health
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hadden coordinated with state representative Kelly Cassidy and local community groups to create the Rogers Park community response team.[31][32] The team's stated goal is to help Rogers Park residents stay informed and access resources needed amid the social distancing and shelter-in-place measures in place during the crisis.[33][34][31] They have offered informational resources online, set up a hotline for residents to request advice, and volunteers trained to safely deliver groceries and prescriptions.[35][32]
In August 2021, Hadden pushed for the Chicago Park District to install life rings at lakefront beaches and parks, following a drowning death and ongoing efforts by neighborhood residents.[36][37] The Park District installed life rings in Rogers Park in September 2021 and pledged to add additional devices along the lakefront in subsequent months.[38]
Committees
During the 2019–23 term, Hadden is a member of eight standing committees in the City Council: economic, capital, and technology development; ethics and government oversight; environmental protection and energy; housing and real estate; human relations and health; special events, cultural affairs, and recreation; zoning, landmarks, and building standards; and committees and rules.[39][40]
Alliances and relationships
After winning her seat in the first round of the 2019 elections, Hadden endorsed several candidates vying for City Council seats in the run-off elections: Andre Vasquez, who defeated Patrick J. O'Connor (40th ward); Jessica Gutierrez, who challenged Ariel Reboyras (30th ward); and two candidates ran in open races: Matt Martin (47th ward) and Robert Murphy (39th ward).[41] She also announced support for other candidates in run-off elections who, like her, had been endorsed by United Working Families: Rossana Rodríguez Sanchez (33rd ward), Rafa Yañez (15th ward), and Jeanette Taylor (20th ward).[42] She declined to make an endorsement in the 2019 mayoral election, citing her goal of being an independent alderman as well as strong support received by both run-off candidates in the 49th ward in the first round.[19]
At the start of the 2019–2023 term, Hadden joined the City Council's Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus, and LGBT Caucus. She was selected as the treasurer for the Progressive Caucus.[43] She has also pledged to join the council's Women's Caucus.[19]
Hadden's longtime partner and spouse is Natalia Vera.[45][46] Vera was elected as a member of the local school council for Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park in April 2018.[45][47]
