It was the opening day of the Chicago Farmer’s Market in 1983 when I met Mayor Harold Washington. I tagged along with my mom to work, and there he was – the mayor of Chicago. He shook my hand, made eye contact and spoke directly to me. It was a humble gesture that will forever be in my mind. His leadership and kindness inspired me and my mother, Nancy Bellew, in her commitment to public service.
My mom served Chicago, working for five different mayors, including Washington, where she was first deputy commissioner in the Department of Consumer Services (now named Business Affairs and Consumer Protection). Through her dedication, I developed a firm belief that city government is responsible for implementing innovative solutions to improve the lives of all residents.
