Neighbor Stories - Ana Lopez-Alcantar

Interview by L ShoulterKarall

Ana Lopez-Alcantar, the 40th Ward Deputy Committeeperson and youngest in Chicago’s history, lives in Andersonville. She will be starting high school as a freshman at Alcott Community Prep. She is especially excited to have the opportunity to study world events and apply them to her long-held interest in politics, especially this year’s election process.

Her interest in politics began during now-U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s mayoral run in 2015. In explaining her interest in politics as a teen, Ana said, “I know it seems crazy that a teenager is interested in politics, but when I see issues that affect my family, friends and the people that live in my city I have to do something and help as much as I can.”

She is clear and audible in her belief in the importance of voting. She exhorts people to use their power as citizens because everyone does not have the privilege to vote. When people suggest that their vote doesn’t matter, she exhorts them that their vote absolutely matters.

“Do not throw away your vote! If your vote didn’t matter, President Trump would not be trying to take it away.”

Ana believes that social media is the best way to reach young voters as they are always on their phones and use them to research political candidates, as well as reviewing political information with one another.

While she applauds Governor Pritzker for declaring Election Day a holiday, she also maintains that the voting age should be lowered, “Seventeen is the perfect age as many teens are ready to vote at that age!”

While this year is a presidential election, Ana will be continuing her political activism in 2021 as she fights for Black lives, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration. She hopes the President will be fighting with her.

Her words of hope are these, “Please keep fighting the fight! I know it’s hard but, if we can continue, we can be heard.”