Chicago City Council just got a new member this week.

Elder people approve.

Anthony give us Casella as alderperson other 35th fort.

Despite some opposition from city council members over social media post published back in 2014, Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed 29 year-old decided replace former Alderperson.

God knows I mean, little who is now the head of the Chicago Park district because other presents parts of Logan Square at most a Avondale Irving Park in Avondale Park and he joins us now.

Thank you for joining us.

Congratulations.

>> And I want to start off your lifelong who grew up in Logan Square.

What does this transition to alderperson mean to you?

All means so much to me.

It's been a great honor to be able to serve our community in my neighborhood in so many different ways as a community organizer.

>> As the 35th Ward, Democratic committeeman most recently as a Cook County commissioner of the 8th district.

But now alderman of representing large portions of Logan Square places, I grew up.

I was raised in that have raised me in development to the leader person.

am today.

It is an extreme honor.

I feel so happy to come to work every single day.

Did you ever envision that one day?

You're going to be an elder person.

>> The young kid who like you mentioned grew up in Logan Square that taken represent the with, you know, intern for an older man.

When I was 18, I interned for First Ward Alderman Joe Moreno.

>> That I worked for alderman Carlos Ramirez Rossa for 6 and a half years.

But it always dedicated my life to public service.

And so, you know, where I saw myself as a county commissioner, very comfortable confident, very happy.

But being an alderman was something that came very quickly and I'm really grateful and I'm really excited to get to work.

So seems like it was in you and talking about right is that mean, as you also worked, as you mentioned, as Eatonville says the 35th were Democratic Committee.

>> Man for more than 6 years.

How do you see this current state of the 35th Ward?

What are opportunities that you see in?

Why are you the right person for the job?

Will to clarify?

I was the neighborhood services director for all of her marriage Russell for 6 and a half years, which means I oversaw infrastructure improvement projects City services, social services to our wards.

55,000 residents that I was elected 35th for Democratic committeeman in Twenty-twenty where sir, that position for 2 and a half years up with reason readies?

Because from this neighborhood, I know this neighborhood and issues impacting residents, the concerns, the dreams aspirations.

>> But also been a coalition builder.

I have been a played a pivotal role in building our Northwest Side.

Progressive Coalition of grassroots community-based organizations, leaders, residents.

And so I know that I'm ready because I have earned the trust of my community residents, which is there some of the things you most passionate about because we know some of these neighborhoods have faced gentrification?

Yes, well, the reason why got inside public service and in community organizing was because of the historic levels of housing, displacement and gentrification that impacted my neighborhood.

Logan Square growing up.

So housing is still a prevalent issue today, but also all other types of forms of economic injustice.

Workers don't have enough money.

People are working 2 to 3 jobs to get by.

There aren't enough community-based clinics.

You know, in our neighborhoods.

So there is a plethora of issues let alone.

You know, folks having quality affordable health care.

So, you know, somebody who is deeply committed and prioritizing the needs of poor and working class residents, that's what I've done as a commissioner.

And that's about is already seeing those changes Absolutely.

You my family was impacted by poverty.

I grew up experiencing poverty.

My mom most recently was experiencing homelessness on and off for a couple years.

So this is a personal matter, but it's also an issue that impacts so many different residents across the 35th board and the city of Chicago for Growth was in an immigrant Krause hold, correct.

That's right.

My father's Mexico, my mom's from Coast Rica.

My father still undocumented.

So this is a very personal matter for me.

And I want to talk about something else when you announce who would run for Alderperson a controversial social media post from 2014.

>> The euro when you were in high school resurfaced in which she used an anti blacks, racial slur.

How do you feel about this post now?

You know, it's it's it's something that I have deeply.

You know, I deeply regret.

It's something that I've apologized for, you know, publicly.

>> And in private members of the Chicago by caucus.

You know, this was a conversation between friends.

There's no excuse for that word.

It is not a reflection of my values and my character and my record as a community organizer in as a legislator, I think speaks for that.

>> So you're saying like moving forward, you're just showing with actions?

Absolutely, you know, and I've had so many positive conversations with the majority of the City Council.

>> You know, I've I've issued my apology publicly and through my actions, I think I will earn the trust of my colleagues.

>> And you face you faced as we mentioned, some backlash from the Black caucus and other members from the Chicago City Council.

And you were sworn in with an approval.

32 to 11.

How can you move past us under people's confidence as Alderperson as you just mentioned, actions as one of the biggest ones for you?

Absolutely.

>> You know, I think the remarks of my colleagues made were very clear.

No, this wasn't a votes weren't against me personally.

I think it was a matter of principle for them.

And I respect and I look forward to working with them.

How can you use this an opportunity bring people together?

Absolutely.

No.

I have always room to myself.

I believe core tenet of my leadership and leadership of elected officials at any form of government should be collaboration should be dialogue should be understanding and building bridges.

I have done that work and my community and that's what I'll do as an alderman.

And, you know, you kind of just listen about all the roles they the you've had.

You know, you also are the youngest and first openly Latino on the Board.

>> Of Commissioners and you also served as commissioner on the Forest Preserves Board of directors mean it seems like you done a variety of things.

How did these roles help you prepare to become an alderman I'm somebody who understands systems right, Anderson, I'm somebody who understands systems of bureaucracy, government programs and services.

>> And again, someone who's worked for the aldermen, the previous all run for 6 and a half years.

I know how to fill potholes countries, you know, put in service requests and I'm really excited to be This is the heart is you're talking about.

A whole different service requires.

You know, the problem is sometimes departments will have all the resources that they need.

And so there's a delay.

And so you feel that conflict between residents desires for services to be immediately Matt, and then, you know, the limitations of departments.

But what are requires is good advocacy in being a good liaison.

would you say?

You're taking a whale's from the previous alderman.

>> Meters will live with.

are you taking away from him?

You know, alderman we're supposed to serve our board and our city with distinction with over 10 years >> of service and that city council and his deep commitment to justice equity and his record of being a coalition builder.

Something that I've learned and it's something that I will continue to carry as the next 30th Ward alderman.

>> And now as you transition as your role as alderman, what is your plan to for your vacancy as commissioner in the 8 district?

Absolutely.

So per law and per county ordinance.

What has to happen is that the representatives of the local political party in this case, the Democratic Party have to convene to the Democratic Committee, people of the 8th district to constant it district must convene a meeting to appoint my a vacancy as what we have done in the northwest side.

In most most recent years, as we've held democratic transparent process a process that we like to call people's appointment process.

It's process that we went through to nominee and endorse art.

Newly elected, you know, state senator going to sell it on.

And it's something that we're going to engage in as well.

So we're going to provide opportunity for the public to engage local political organizations and stakeholders to put their name forward and to, you know, be vetted by the community and then be endorsed by our democratically.

You know, we only have a couple seconds for any any to ask.

does your family feel that now?

You're all the person.

They're very excited.

Very proud.

You know, I'm a neighborhood kid.

I grew up in the 2100 block of Tom.

And I think I'm the first alderman from the 2100 block