15th Ward: In 2015 we were so impressed by Raymond Lopez’s zeal to solve community problems that we endorsed the Southwest Airlines skycap over a highly-pedigreed attorney we twice had endorsed in other races. Lopez won and made us proud in May 2017 with his courageous call for victimized but frightened residents to help police end gang warfare in the Brighton Park and Back of the Yards neighborhoods. "We need the people who live here to stand up and help us stop what's going on," Lopez said after a week that left several dead and many wounded, including two cops injured when their unmarked van was raked by high-powered rifle fire. "If you are hanging out with people who are recruiting 12- and 13-year-olds to join gangs and sell drugs, then you are part of the problem in this community.” Lopez also posted what he says are drug and gang houses on social media. He’s also outspoken on Chicago’s finances: “When I was a teen, the City Council at the behest of the mayor punted its responsibilities to address pensions and taxes. Their inaction forced me to address these issues two decades later. I will not do the same to future generations.” We wish Lopez was more independent from the mayor’s office when he casts votes. But we’d hate to lose an alderman who has risked his safety to fight the violent bloodshed in his ward. Lopez is endorsed.