Not About Politics — About People

I didn’t set out to be a candidate. I set out to help my neighborhood.

Rogers Park has always had its challenges — but it’s also full of strength, resilience, and heart. Over the years, I’ve been out in the community: walking the streets, helping local businesses, attending meetings, listening to stories. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s real.

Lately, more people have asked me, “Bill, are you thinking about running for Alderman?”

To be honest, I’ve thought about it — but not in the way most people think. I’m not interested in politics for the sake of politics. I’m interested in people. I believe this community deserves leadership that’s accessible, accountable, and already doing the work long before an election.

If I ever do decide to run, it won’t be to build a name — it will be to build a stronger Rogers Park.

For now, my focus hasn’t changed. I’ll keep showing up, helping where I can, and staying connected to the people who make this neighborhood what it is. Titles come and go. Trust takes time — and I’ve committed to earning it.

— Bill Morton

Serving Without a Title

I’ve never waited for permission to serve my community.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been out here — organizing cleanups, supporting our small businesses, listening to residents, and showing up where I’m needed. I do it because I care. Because Rogers Park deserves people who won’t give up on it.

Recently, I’ve been asked a few times, “Bill, are you going to run for Alderman?”

It’s a fair question. I’ve thought about it. Not because I want to be a politician, but because I want to make sure the people of Rogers Park are heard, respected, and represented — not just during election time, but every day of the year.

Would holding office allow me to do more? Maybe. But I believe you prove yourself long before you run for anything. You earn trust by showing up — consistently, without fanfare, and without expecting credit.

If the day ever comes when I step into that race, it will be because the people of this neighborhood believe in someone who’s already been doing the work.

Until then, I’ll keep at it — just as I always have.

— Bill Morton

Thinking Out Loud

 Tonight I walked along Morse Avenue, past the storefronts I’ve helped promote, past neighbors I’ve seen at community meetings, past the same sidewalks I’ve swept during cleanups. It made me think — about where we are, and where we could be.

I never set out to get into politics. I just wanted to make a difference.

But the more I listen to people in our neighborhood — people who feel forgotten, who’ve lost faith in City Hall — the more I wonder if maybe I should take that next step.

People have asked me, “Bill, are you going to run?” And I don’t have a final answer yet. But I know this: I care deeply about Rogers Park. I care about the seniors who don’t feel safe. I care about the business owner who’s barely making rent. I care about our parks, our youth, and our future.

If I ever run for Alderman, it won’t be for attention. It’ll be because I want to bring the everyday voices of Rogers Park into every room where decisions are made.

For now, I’ll keep walking these same streets, listening, learning, and doing the work — because that’s where real change begins.

— Bill Morton

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

Prepared by Experience, Motivated by Community

Rogers Park has shaped who I am.

This neighborhood taught me that progress doesn’t come from speeches — it comes from showing up, again and again, even when no one’s watching. It comes from rolling up your sleeves, solving problems together, and building trust over time.

For years, I’ve done my best to contribute — supporting small businesses, helping organize cleanups, advocating for fairness in city services, and standing up for neighbors whose voices weren’t being heard. I never needed a title to do that.

But more and more, I’m hearing a question from the people I work beside:
“Bill, have you thought about running for Alderman?”

Yes — I’ve thought about it. Because I believe I understand what makes this community work — and what’s been holding us back.

We need leadership that’s consistent, not just loud. Leadership that doesn’t disappear between elections. Leadership rooted in service, not status.

I’m not making an announcement today. But I want you to know I’m thinking seriously about what I can do — and where I can be most effective — for Rogers Park.

And as always, I’m open to hearing from you.

— Bill Morton

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

49th Ward voting

Bill Morton, registered voter in the 49th Ward

It is important to be a registered voter and vote in every election.

•Because your activism, including in reforming the system, will be more powerful if you have voted.

•Because your monitoring of the fairness of the election must begin with voting in it.

•Because there is a real value in not allowing things to get any worse than they have.

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org