Bernie Hansen
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
Bernie Hansen | |
|---|---|
Thomas M. Tunney | |
| Constituency | 44th ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 26, 1944 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | July 18, 2021 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Democratic |
Bernie Hansen (November 26, 1944 – July 18, 2021)
Hansen was elected to the Chicago City Council in 1983 when the incumbent alderman, John Merlo, retired. In 1987 he defeated Dr. Ron Sable, a liberal gay activist, by a 52% to 47% margin in the race for 44th Ward alderman.[2] It was a hard-fought campaign in the city's 44th Ward, which at the time was the heart of the city's gay community. Sable ran against Hansen again in 1991, but Hansen prevailed again, 65% to 35%.
From 1994 to 2000, he served as one of four U.S. commissioners to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, a presidential appointment to a bilateral treaty organization with Canada responsible for fisheries management research and recommendations and for sea lamprey control for the Great Lakes fisheries. For part of that time, he chaired the commission.
During
Hansen was also an active proponent of environmentalist measures, including recycling programs and the extension of Chicago's moratorium against the creation of new landfills.
Some residents of the Lakeview community voiced concern that Hansen was more concerned with building expensive condos and co-ops, then re-building the neighborhood with affordable housing during his tenure. He served on the board of many community councils as well as fund raising organizations, including the John Merlo Sports Program.
After his retirement from the city council, he continued to serve as Democratic committeeman from the 44th Ward, ultimately handing over the title to Alderman Tom Tunney. John Merlo held the position from 1969 to 1992.
Hansen made an attempt to be a Democratic Congressional Candidate for
He was married to Annette and had two sons, Paul and David. He had two grandchildren. He attended the University of Chicago and had residences in both Chicago and Arizona. He was a longtime Chicago Cubs fan and avid golfer.
References
- ^ Pearson, Rick (July 19, 2021). "Former longtime lakefront Ald. Bernie Hansen dies at 76". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
External links
- "His biography from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission". Archived from the original on 2004-11-26. Retrieved 2005-01-27.
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