Born and raised in the 6th Ward, William E. Hall, Jr.’s values are rooted in serving all who are in need no matter where they come from and who they are. He serves as the Lead Pastor of St. James Church in Chicago, IL and he’s committed to serve, uplift, and advocate for the poor.
Early in his childhood, William saw examples of public service through the work of his parents. Both his Mom and Dad worked for the city, with his dad William serving in the classroom and community as a CPS teacher, and his mother Deloris serving as an Administrative Coordinator. William’s parents instilled in him the value of giving one’s self to others through public service.
Hall grew up in the 6th Ward, where he learned the meaning of “it takes a village” from the many family, friends, and neighbors who supported him as a young man.
Hall succeeded Ald. Roderick Sawyer as the next leader of the 6th Ward, and with all 27 precincts reporting, Hall held 57.8 percent of the vote to challenger Richard Wooten’s 42.1 percent in a race run-off.
“I am overjoyed, overwhelmed and grateful for every volunteer and voter,” Hall said at the time of his victory. “In the 6th Ward, we’re fighting for a safer community, greater schools, and thriving businesses.”
Hall will be sworn in at City Council on May 15.
N’DIGO sat with the newly-elected 6th Ward Alderman William E. Hall, Jr. as he talked about his endeavors to improve the 6th Ward.
N’DIGO: Tell me your thoughts on being a new Alderman?
William E. Hall: An opportunity that comes once every thirty to fifty years. You see something that happens to transient. For me this is once in a lifetime. I have an opportunity of building a community that I grew up in as a kid. It is surreal. I never anticipated or motivated to be a political leader. My motivation is to be a servant leader, to motivate. You never know where the impact of life is.
What is you new vision for the 6th Ward?
We want to be the most innovative infrastructure and innovate economy in the city.
And how will you do that?
We work closely with state and federal patterns to invest in the latest and greatest indestructible. We want to be a green ward. Enviromental and justice. We have to be better stewards and get our fair share of jobs and equity in resources.
What do you think are the top three issues of the 6th Ward?
The top three concerns are public safety, infrastructure, and securing/starting jobs/businesses.
How would you describe your politics?
Forward thinking. And collaborative.
Who are your role models?
My father and my grandparents. Rev. Jesse Jackson and Mr. D’Antignac, owner of The Woodshop.
How do you plan on being a minister and alderman at the same time?
I look for the examples of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Bishop Arthur Brazier, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Otis Moss, Rev. Clay Evans and Senator Raphael Warnock. They are models of community equity and faith. It is maximizing scripture, that says, “faith without works is dead”.
What’s your leisure?
Cooking and golf.
How do you see the 6th Ward in 5 years?
I see younger families, new developments and 21st century infrastructure.
At this time, what is your most pressing problem?
Crime and safety. We are the leading ward in gun violence in Chicago. That’s embarrassing. The solution is to get neighbors to re engage and to care and to bring valuable things to make people who want to care. You bring art, you bring chambers of commerce to life with new ideas. New ideas bring new energy. We get to see new history and to revitalize our community, our city.
