I worked with Laura on the LSC at Lincoln Park High School. She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and step up wherever needed, and she asks thoughtful questions to fully understand what needs to be addressed rather than rushing to act. Any neighborhood would be lucky to have her as their alderperson.

In my experience working with Laura as Chair of the Lincoln Park LSC,  she brings a rare combination of strong leadership, fairness, and empathy. She navigates challenging discussions with calm and professionalism, while ensuring all voices are heard and decisions are made with integrity. Her commitment to people and community is clear in everything she does.

As our Lincoln Park High School LSC chair, Laura has proven herself to be an organized, solution-oriented leader who always puts the students and community first.

She isn’t afraid to speak up for what is right, and she bypasses the blaming game so we can focus on how to fix a problem.

Laura has served as LSC Chair and on the Budget Committee. Laura is always prepared, dependable, and willing to put the needs of our students first, keeping meetings organized, making sure members are informed, and helping move our school forward. Her dedication goes beyond words.  Laura Yepez represents what true community leadership looks like: dedication, compassion, accountability, and action.

I had the pleasure of serving with Laura for two years on the Local School Council for Lincoln Park High School. She stepped up to take on the demanding, often thankless role of LSC Chair and led with exceptional preparation, optimism, a focus on finding wins for students and the school, and a keen ability to master the details without losing sight of the bigger picture. Given her commitment to public service, I believe she will be a great asset to the 1st Ward.

Whether as resident, business owner or mother, Laura Yepez has been an engaged community asset and promoter of Chicago's 1st Ward. She knows the West Town community and Chicago and how they work.

 Believing everyone is a valuable asset to the community, Laura has led projects impacting infrastructure, education and quality of life in Chicago.

 She doesn't just talk about making the area a better place to live and work, Laura Yepez takes action to make it happen!

 Elaine Coorens, resident since 1976

Here in Wicker Park, and across the entire 1st Ward, we want a representative who truly understands the daily realities of our neighborhoods. Laura’s deep roots and active civic involvement make her uniquely qualified to advocate for us at City Hall.

Why Laura stands out:

• A True Advocate for Local Business: As an MBE/WBE small business owner herself and an active member of Chamber of Commerce, she knows exactly what it takes to help our local commercial corridors thrive.

• Committed to Families and Schools: As a mother and a Local School Council (LSC) Chair, she is deeply invested in public education and success of our local schools and students.

• Proven Track Record: In her role as 1st Ward Committeeperson, she is already doing the hard work of connecting residents with city resources, fighting for infrastructure improvements, and making sure our voices are heard.

As the daughter of immigrants, Laura brings a tireless work ethic and operational expertise to everything she tackles. She has my full support, and I encourage you to join me in voting for her.

As a community activist, I can attest to Ms. Yepez’s commitment for greater neighborhood and business success. I believe in  her vision to utilize city resources to target 1st Ward needs.

She is also approachable and accessible to her constituents about their concerns.

Therefore, I highly recommend Laura Yepez as alder for the 1st Ward.

I support Laura Lepez for 1st ward Alderwoman. As the Events Program Director and Primary fundraiser for the Wicker Park Advisory Council from 2005-2024, I worked with Laura for many years as a partner to the Park. She financially supported the Programming and was present and participated in many of the events we produced. She genuinely communicated with and listened to the 1st Ward event patrons without bias and with respect.

I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Laura Yepez for Alderman of Chicago’s 1st Ward.

As a longtime resident of the West Town area and someone who cares deeply about the future of our neighborhood, I believe Laura brings the right combination of real-world experience, community roots, and practical leadership that the 1st Ward needs.

Laura is a small business owner who has invested in this community for decades. She has owned and operated businesses right here in the ward, including the Wicker Park Inn and, previously, Alliance Bakery. She understands what it takes to keep local businesses open, create jobs, and strengthen the commercial corridors that make Wicker Park, Bucktown, and West Town vibrant. Her focus on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and supporting the small businesses that form the backbone of our neighborhood aligns with the priorities many of us share.

Beyond her business experience, Laura has deep roots and is a longtime community advocate. She has served as 1st Ward Democratic Committeewoman, worked with local chambers of commerce, and engaged directly with residents on the issues that affect daily life here — from neighborhood infrastructure to education and public safety. She has shown she knows how to listen, organize, and deliver results.

Our Ward needs an alderman who combines progressive values with practical, results-oriented leadership. Laura Yepez demonstrated both. I am confident she will be a strong, accessible, and effective voice for the 1st Ward at City Hall.

I urge my neighbors to join me in supporting Laura Yepez for 1st Ward Alderman.

I take great pride in endorsing Laura Yepez for 1st Ward Alderman. Laura has been a great friend, peer, and even a client of mine over the years, and I have been consistently impressed by her passion, professionalism, and commitment in every aspect of our relationship.

As a Wicker Park resident, I know firsthand the impact strong leadership can have on our neighborhood, and I am confident Laura would bring energy, integrity, and a genuine commitment to making the 1st Ward an even better place to live.

I look forward to a brighter future for our neighborhood with Laura serving as our next Alderman.

Laura Yepez is exactly what we’ve missed.  She has lived in and operated a small business in the community for 28 years.  She has been active in community organizations, trying to solve problems at the local level.  She truly understands the neighborhoods in the 1st Ward – what makes Wicker Park tick, and Logan Square hum – and the unique characteristics and issues that affect residents in each of these neighborhoods. 

She has actively supported small business throughout the Ward, which helps bring jobs to our community.  With children who have gone through the Chicago Public School system, and as a member of the Local School Council, she also understands the educational needs in these communities and has made that one of her main priorities.

Laura has really maintained a strong community presence throughout the 1st Ward.  Her involvement in the Logan Square, Wicker Park and West Town Chambers of Commerce and a number of other community organizations are just examples of how she participates in the community.  She doesn’t just show up at political events where she can be the main attraction; she gets her hands dirty working in the community trying to improve opportunities for small business and residents throughout the Ward.

I met Laura Yepez several years ago through our mutual involvement in the Wicker Park Advisory Council and the Wicker Park Committee. She's passionate about our community and advocates for our residents, businesses, and schools. She is generous with her time and always willing to try to help others. As someone who has lived and worked in the Ward for decades, she has the knowledge and connections to get things done. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to see several sides of Laura through our work together with the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce and on her Committeeperson campaign. A devoted mom, thriving small business owner and fierce advocate for the neighborhood she serves. She brings real-world experience, conviction, and a deep connection to the community she serves. Laura has earned my respect and my full support.

I've worked with Laura through the Wicker Park Committee, and honestly, I've really enjoyed working with her.

She's someone who listens, she's engaged, and she's always willing to jump in and help figure things out.

Working on neighborhood committee with her, I've seen how much she cares about the community and the people who live here. And that's been really great to see firsthand.

For the past 15 years I've had the pleasure of knowing Laura Yepez as a local woman business owner and now I serve on the board of the Wicker Park Committee with her.  All of my interactions with her have been very positive and she truly cares about the future of this neighborhood. She's always been very supportive of Heaven Gallery and I'm confident electing her as the 1st Ward Alderperson would be transformative for the community.

I’ve known Laura for years, first through the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber and then as a fellow board member for six years. I’ve watched her build the Wicker Park Inn into a neighborhood staple while raising her family right here in the ward she now wants to represent. Laura understands what it actually takes to run a small business in Chicago: the permits, the payroll, the 2am problems nobody sees. We need that lived experience in City Hall. As a business owner, mother, and someone who has put down real roots in this community, Laura will bring a voice to the 1st Ward that’s been missing. She has my full support, and I hope she has yours too.

Laura’s background is unusually well-rounded for public service: her years in HR taught her how to listen and manage conflict with care; her experience running small businesses gave her a real, practical understanding of what it takes to keep a neighborhood economy healthy; and raising a family has grounded her in the everyday concerns of the people she’d be serving. That combination has given her sharp problem-solving instincts and a genuine empathy that I’ve watched benefit our community time and again.

For all these reasons, I strongly endorse Laura Yepez to lead us as our next alderperson in the 1st Ward. I am confident she will ensure a productive and prosperous future for our neighborhood and the city of Chicago.

I have been a home and business owner in the first ward for over twenty years respectively. I started my business when Laura owned the Alliance Bakery and felt immediately welcomed and supported by her neighboring business. I greatly value the relationships I have made along the way. Over those twenty years I have been privileged to live and work in the community with Laura Yepez. I have watched her work tirelessly to keep a business going and raise her children through pandemic and economic hardship. She has a wonderful work ethic and a tremendous sense of community spirit. It’s with great pleasure that I fully support and endorse Laura for the position of alderwoman of the first ward.

I am proud to support Laura Yepez for 1st Ward Alderwoman.

Having served alongside Laura on the Board of Directors of the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand her dedication to our community. As fellow small business owners in Wicker Park, we share a real understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with running a small business in Chicago.

Laura is a strong, thoughtful, and trustworthy woman who genuinely cares about the people and businesses that make our neighborhood special. She listens, she shows up, and she is willing to fight for the small businesses that are the heart of our community.

Our ward needs someone who will work for the people, not just talk about it. I know Laura will bring integrity, compassion, and a strong voice to the job, and I am excited to support her candidacy for 1st Ward Alderwoman.

I am proud to endorse Laura Yepez for Alderman. I have had the pleasure of knowing Laura for many years and have seen firsthand her commitment to our community and the people who make it strong.

Laura understands the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face because she has been a true partner to our local business community.

She believes in supporting neighborhood businesses, listening to business owners, and working to create a stronger and more vibrant community.

What I admire most about Laura is that she doesn’t just talk about being involved…Laura shows up. She is active, caring, approachable, and genuinely invested in the success of our neighborhood.

As a small business owner and community member, I believe we need leaders who understand our concerns and will work with us to make a positive difference. Laura Yepez is that leader.

I support Laura Yepez for Alderman and encourage our community to join me in supporting someone who truly believes in our neighborhood, our small businesses, and our future.

We need Laura for 1st ward Alderwoman! Laura has been leading the Chicago Bed and Breakfast Association for years. As the CBBA president, she keeps all our small business needs top of mind. She knows how hard it is to keep a small business running successfully and she is supportive to solve issues we face everyday. She works hard for her neighbors and will continue to fight for what our ward needs. Ray’s B&B is proud to support Laura Yepez and her campaign for 1st Ward Alderwoman.

We need Laura Yepez for 1st Ward Alderwoman. I moved to Chicago 4 years ago, and met Laura through the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. Her warm welcome made me feel right at home. Working together on the chamber board, I have found Laura to be incredibly insightful and collaborative. Her roots here in Wicker Park, both as a long-term resident and business owner, make her the perfect candidate for Alderwoman. I know she will do what is best for our community.  

Laura has been a wonderful advocate and resource for my small business. She took the time to connect me with the right people and opportunities. Those connections have helped my business grow, and I’m truly grateful for her support of local small businesses and this vibrant community.

Laura has been a true inspiration for me, not just as a fellow B&B owner, but her level of compassion and dedication to the community around her. A long -time resident of Wicker Park, she has not only raised her family in the neighborhood, but ran several successful businesses, been involved in community outreach and local networking groups.

As the president of our Chicago Bed and Breakfast Association, she has been a wonderful mentor to me the last ten years. Watching her innovate and grow her own business after 20+ years in local hospitality has been a true inspiration. It’s been an honor to be in her circle and witness the endless dedication to making a real difference for those around her. 

Laura is very active in the community. As a small business owner, she understands the struggles we face and is a supportive, friendly person who is always wonderful to be around. Beyond that, she is a great businesswoman—compassionate, knowledgeable, and assertive. That is exactly the kind of person I would want representing and fighting for my community.

I had the pleasure of serving alongside Laura Yepez on the Wicker Park/ Bucktown Chamber of Commerce Board for five years. During that time, I was impressed by her dedication to our community, her thoughtful approach, and her willingness to listen and work collaboratively with others.

Laura cares deeply about the neighborhood and brings a genuine commitment to public service. I’m proud to endorse her for 1st Ward and confident she will bring that same commitment, energy, and collaborative spirit to serving the residents.

I wholeheartedly endorse Laura Yepez for Alderwoman of Chicago’s 1st Ward!

Laura and I connected through the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce two years ago, when I was a first-time solopreneur. From the beginning, Laura offered mentorship, encouragement, and even opened the doors of her beautiful B&B to host events that would give my business greater visibility. What stood out most was that Laura didn’t simply offer her space, she took a genuine interest in the success of each event and leveraged her community connections to help make it happen. Laura truly cares about our local businesses and consistently looks for meaningful ways to support the entrepreneurs and people who make our community thrive. I know she will bring that same heart, commitment, and community-minded leadership as alderwoman.

Laura Yepez is a highly-thoughtful, communicative, strong leader who supports small businesses in our neighboring wards.  

Her vibrant outlook for the neighborhood is seen as she works with fellow business owners, and actively supports the Wicker Park /Bucktown Women's Business Networking monthly meetings.  As a fellow female small business owner in the area, we have repeatedly brainstormed ideas on driving business to our area for the betterment of the entire neighborhood.  Not only did she brainstorm, she executed the ideas with success. 

Conscientious, caring and leads with conviction.  Key qualities for a long-standing business owner and future alderperson. I am proud to endorse Laura.

Laura has been an amazing advocate for all local businesses of all backgrounds! She has supported my small business from day one and has been a huge advocate for TLA ever since then. Could not have gotten to the levels of success we've been fortunate enough to achieve without her support as a friend and client! 

I know for a fact that this sentiment is shared amongst numerous other small business owners across the ward. She is active with local chambers and collaborates often with other small business owners to help grow their business. 

Thank you Laura Yepez, everyone here at TLA are 100% in supporters of you as a friend and 1st ward Alderman!

Ward 1 needs Laura as our Alderwoman! She genuinely cares and actively supports local women-owned businesses like mine. You will always see Laura showing up at volunteer and community events, and it is never by accident. She makes a point to engage personally with everything happening in our neighborhood. As a long-time resident and business owner herself, she understands our challenges firsthand. She will make a fantastic Alderwoman!

TAXIM Restaurant endorses Laura Yepez in her candidacy for 1 st ward alderman in Chicago. The 1 st

ward has stood out for decades for its diverse and vibrant commercial corridors. As a small family-

run business, TAXIM is part of an endangered species of stand-alone small businesses that are not

part of finance-backed franchises or restaurant groups, and we know what sacrifice is and what it

takes to keep unique small business presence alive amidst the economic crises that continue to

worsen every year. We deeply respect Laura Yepez’s experience as a small business owner herself,

and her ongoing commitment to the business community and neighborhood. We know that Laura

will bring sensible policy towards transportation, development and committed support to our small

businesses and families of the 1 st ward.