The Honorable Carrie M. Austin is the Alderman of Chicago’s 34th Ward. Having been appointed to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Lemuel, she immediately began working on public safety, education, housing, and economic development. 22 years of service later, she has successfully stabilized middle-class neighborhoods; increased the number of affordable housing units, attracted new retail and nonprofit entities, and helped elect a President. The Marshfield Plaza at 119th & Marshfield, with Jewel, Target, Burlington, and LA Fitness as anchors; several new market rate housing developments, the new Roseland Hospital Emergency Room and Clinic facilities, the new Davis/Langston Hughes concept school of mixed ability students; a new Exelon’s 41-acre solar installation in West Pullman; the Jackie Robinson Park Baseball complex, and the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, are all parts of the legacy of Ald. Austin.
During her 22 years in the Council, she served in numerous leadership roles
including Vice Chairman of the Committee on Committees Rules & Ethics and
as a voting member of the Committees on Health & Environmental Protection;
Finance; Housing & Real Estate; Public Safety; Workforce Development & Audit;
and the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards.
Her keen intellect, and tireless devotion to the City garnered her appointment to
the powerful and prestigious position of Chairman of the City of Chicago’s Budget
Committee in 2007. In this capacity, Chairman Austin has authority over the
expenditure of all funds appropriated and expended by the City of Chicago and all
matters concerning the organization, reorganization and efficient management of
City government, federal and state legislation, and administrative regulations in
which the City may have an interest. This past year, she presided over the
development and passage of the City’s $8.9 billion budget.
A former Chairman of the City of Chicago Black Caucus, she currently serves as its Secretary. Appreciating the role of politics in our daily lives, Ald. Austin is also the 34th Ward Democratic Committeeman, City Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, and the State Central Committeeman of the 2nd Congressional District for the past 20 years. One of her proudest moments was being a delegate and organizer for our first African American President, Barack Obama.
She remains connected to the public pulse through hosting weekly ward nights every Tuesday, a monthly town hall every third Thursdays from March to October, and joining community-driven forums and activities. She particularly enjoyed walking in the first Sista’ Strut Breast Cancer Walk in Chicago, as a breast cancer survivor. Her tireless schedule working for others is balanced by her love of family and her deep faith. A proud mother of 7, grandmother of 29 and great grandmother of 16, her family provides her joy. Grounded by her faith, she is a devoted member of Logos Baptist Assembly under the leadership of Reverend Donald Parson and she openly shares the good news and prosperity of the Gospel to all persons willing to hear and receive. Her faith gives her immense comfort in knowing that The Father Is pleased.
“I would rather do and not promise, than promise and not do,” is an
affirmation that underlies her delivery of accessible city services, as a
rule rather than an exception, option or favor. This is a public servant
who remains accountable and accessible to the public she serves.
A loving mother, conscientious public servant, and woman of faith, she
is the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward.
