Chicago City Wire

Vicko Alvarez, a 15th Ward Alderman candidate, is under fire for past comments regarding being “uncomfortable” around “white people” but using members of the race for material gain.

Despite the negative connotations of the statement from 2018, Alvarez appears to not understand the implications of diminishing an entire race.

“How is this for inclusiveness from a candidate for alderman, @VickoFor15?" The Chicago Contrarian said on Twitter.

“According to her own words, Vicko finds it intolerable to be in the company of whites.”

“The exception, of course, is when Vicko "gladly" accepts money from whitey.”

“Vicko is a radical and a disgrace.”

The Contrarian linked to a post from Home Room Chicago in which Alvarez said, “a lot of white people still make me uncomfortable, but I will gladly accept their money.”

In addition, to Alvarez’s apparent distaste for “white people” the then 29-year-old expressed her focus on “getting my mom another Coach bag” as well as her interests including “the militant working class” in addition to “reggeaton, Gargoyle action figures, cowboy boots, Google excel sheets” and numerous other items.  

The 15th Ward covers parts of Back of the Yards, Gage Park, Brighton Park and West Englewood. It is currently served by Ald. Ray Lopez who is not running again in order to run for mayor against Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Alvarez has also been criticized for supporting riots.

“Defund and abolish. You can get it done through hearings at City Hall or the people will get it done on the streets by fire,” Alvarez said in a Facebook post accompanied by an image of Kenosha, Wis. on fire.

Alvarez holds the position of co-chair for the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America's South Side chapter.

She is also noted as a "teaching artist" and former union organizer in addition to being chief of staff for Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, who represents Chicago's 33rd Ward.

Alvarez discusses her background in the “about me” section of her campaign website.

“I came to Chicago in 2006 at 18 years old to pursue an undergraduate education at the University of Chicago. A native Tejana, my parents migrated from rural Guanajuato, Mexico with little more than the clothes on their backs. I saw my family work hard to navigate a U.S. system that is not friendly towards people who struggle with low wages, mental health, and the English language. Ends did not always meet for my family, creating a stressful environment at home that affected my whole family’s quality of life,” the website reads.