Joe Laiacona is an out gay man who has lived in Albany Park for over a decade. Under the pen name Jack Rinella, the 68-year-old wrote the Leather Views column for Gay Chicago Magazine for 17 years and published nine books about the leather scene. His biography states that he has been a "high school and college teacher, a cook, a computer salesman, a Catholic seminarian, an advertising copy writer and a graphic designer."
Now Laiacona has set his sights on a new line of work. He is seeking to end almost half a century of Laurino family history presiding over the 39th Ward by replacing Margaret Laurino as alderman. Also vying for the seat is architect/photographer Robert Murphy.
Laiacona talked with Windy City Times about his campaign and how he intends to confront issues not only affecting the 39th Ward but LGBTQ people across the city. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Windy City Times: Can you talk a little about your life and decision to run as alderman?
Joe Laiacona: I'm a late bloomer. I came out at age 37 and I've been with my partner Patrick for 18 years. Most of my career has been with college education and writing. When HIV first became known, I was living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I was member of a gay support group. One of the members asked if we could help with her son who had come back from Chicago dying from the disease. That was the beginning of an AIDS support group that we started in Fort Wayne. I came to Chicago in 1991 and I was selling computer systems when I went to Gay Chicago Magazine to sell them a computer. I heard the publisher Ralph Gernhardt saying he was looking for someone to write a leather column. I went home and wrote three columns as samples and they hired me as a freelancer. My desire to run is based on the way [Mayor] Rahm Emanuel is running this city. I think corporations are more important to him than people.
WCT: Can you cite some examples?
Joe Laiacona: Closing 50 public schools. He said because they're "underutilized" but then he turned around and opened up 37 Charter schools. That's a destruction of public education as far as I'm concerned. I think government is meant to serve the people and privatization of government services does not. It puts money in rich people's pockets.
WCT: And Emanuel's record on LGBT issues, particularly those affecting the transgender community?
Joe Laiacona: I don't think he has much of one. We need a progressive view in City Hall. It's regressive in my opinion.
WCT: Can you be more specific?
Joe Laiacona: Closing mental health clinics and public schools. Fighting with the teachers.
WCT: You're in for a tough fight against a well-funded incumbent. Can you talk about some of the issues facing the 39th ward and the way you would approach them that distinguishes you from Laurino?
Joe Laiacona: First of all, Marge is Rahm's number one rubber-stamper as far as I'm concerned—protecting the status quo, lining their pockets one way or the other. She's become a millionaire as a political entity in Chicago. It's a hereditary oligarchy. The Laurinos have had that office for fifty years. That's not democracy. That's royalty.
WCT: How are they lining their pockets?
Joe Laiacona: Because if you know what's happening in the city before it happens, you can invest in real-estate property when you know the zoning's going to change. She votes 100 percent with Rahm and if I'm opposed to Rahm, I'm certainly opposed to a woman who votes with him 100 percent of the time.
WCT: Do you feel like this sentiment is shared by the people in your ward, particularly the LGBT community?
Joe Laiacona: I have contacted about 4,000 people since June and I've found a great deal of dissatisfaction. They don't like the way the ward is being run. They don't like the way the city is being run. Is Marge petitioning and making noise to hire more police, and have them out on the street walking the beat? There is an LGBT presence in this ward. We're comfortable and we're accepted.
WCT: But the violence against transgender people in this city is alarming as well as allegations of misconduct by the CPD. If your plan is to put more police on the street, how do you ensure sensitivity to the LGB and particularly the transgender community?
Joe Laiacona: They must be well-trained and sensitive to LGBT issues. It's not just a matter of more police it's a matter of better trained police.
WCT: And accountability?
Joe Laiacona: An elected police Board of Review so citizens can have oversight. Let's not expect the police to police themselves. I don't trust someone like Rahm to appoint the right people to boards like that.
WCT: Laurino has talked about zero tolerance to bullying in schools. As an educator, how would you propose to enforce it?
Joe Laiacona: The answer is the teaching of tolerance, diversity and the highlighting of the contributions of groups such as the LGBT community. It should be fostered and be a part of the curriculum in our school systems.
WCT: LGBTQ youth homelessness is a devastating issue. How do you intend to combat it?
Joe Laiacona: We need to fully fund our mental health and social services in the city. We need to hire social workers and counselors, provide safe housing and employment training. We need someone from the city going to businesses encouraging them to hire young people who need a start. The bully pulpit of City Hall used correctly can be very helpful in that regard.
WCT: So why should the residents of this ward pick you over Laurino or Murphy? Why should the LGBT community?
Joe Laiacona: I have the tools to be a really good Alderman. I'm well spoken, well educated and experienced. I just finished serving on the local school council. I'm an experienced negotiator. I also have a strong focus on representing citizens not people in big businesses in foreign countries. I'm an independent voice. I think Bob Murphy is a good candidate. I just have a leg up on him in terms of my expertise and my background. I have a proven record of service to the LGBT community. People who read my columns were encouraged. I was the LGBT police liaison when I lived in Boystown. I'm not afraid to speak my mind and I won't kowtow to anybody.
Visit laiacona4ward39.com/ .
