Raynetta Greenleaf Puts Neighborhood Ownership at Center of 17th Ward Campaign (Chicago, IL) — Raynetta Greenleaf wants more of the 17th Ward’s vacant storefronts filled by people who already call the neighborhood home.
For the aldermanic candidate, those empty spaces represent an opportunity to help residents turn business ideas into livelihoods while bringing needed services closer to their neighbors. Getting more locally owned businesses up and running, she said, would be among her first priorities if elected.
In an interview with The Chicagoland Journal, Greenleaf outlined a campaign focused on neighborhood investment, opportunities for young people and an alderman’s responsibility to keep residents involved in decisions affecting their blocks.
Her interest in public office grew out of her community work. Greenleaf said she founded Greenleaf Motivation Inc. in 2014, promoting violence prevention and helping young entrepreneurs develop their businesses. That experience convinced her she could take on a larger role in addressing the needs she encountered.
Greenleaf previously ran for the 17th Ward seat in 2019. She said her decision to run again reflects frustration that problems she discussed during that campaign remain concerns today.
Much of her vision starts with helping residents invest in their own community. She wants local entrepreneurs to have access to storefronts and the resources needed to establish businesses. She also sees vacant residential properties as an opportunity to encourage reinvestment and help families build income through property ownership.
“We have a lot of vacant properties over here in our community,” Greenleaf said. “And if we can help to have our community build and reinvest, then that’s a plus for us.”
Her economic priorities also reflect practical concerns about what families can find near home. Discussing access to groceries, Greenleaf quickly turned to another everyday need: a place to fill a prescription.
She said neighborhood development should account for seniors who need medication and parents caring for sick children, alongside families looking for milk, eggs and other essentials. She wants pharmacy access to be part of the conversation about meeting the community’s needs.
On public safety, Greenleaf described an approach that would bring together police, community organizations and programs that give young people constructive ways to spend their time.
She said she would meet with the Chicago Police Department to understand its plans and identify ways an alderman’s office could help. She also wants to connect with organizations already working to prevent violence and expand opportunities for youth employment and after-school activities.
Among the possibilities she discussed were jobs that allow young people to help care for the neighborhood and assist seniors. Her concern extends to the hours when parents are working and children need somewhere productive to go.
“Keeping them involved in something positive to help keep the violence down in our city is what I’m looking forward to doing,” she said.
Greenleaf also emphasized the basic services residents expect from their alderman: repaired streets, maintained trees and attention to neighborhood conditions.
She spoke about potholes in terms of the damage they can cause to a resident’s car, connecting street maintenance to the expenses families face. Her proposed approach would begin with reviewing repair needs, assessing costs and asking residents which improvements should come first.
Those conversations, she said, should help guide where resources are directed.
Greenleaf described the alderman’s role as a continuing exchange between City Hall and the community. She wants to bring information about council business back to residents, hear their concerns and involve them in deciding how available resources should be used.
She said she would work to build relationships with the mayor while earning residents’ trust through communication and responsiveness. Her legislative interests include measures affecting taxes, resources that help families remain in their homes and opportunities for residents to invest in property.
“It’s not all about me,” Greenleaf said.
Asked what accomplishment she would want voters to see by the end of a first term, she returned to the storefronts: more businesses opening and more residents getting a chance to put their ideas to work.
“So if you have a business, you have an idea, I’m hoping that I can help bring that to life,” she said.
Raynetta Greenleaf Puts Neighborhood Ownership at Center of 17th Ward Campaign
