Chicago City Wire

A longtime resident of Chicago’s 49th Ward is breaking their silence—anonymously—out of what they say is fear of retaliation, which they have been subjected to before, from 49th Ward Ald. Maria Hadden and her supporters.

The resident's experiences echo a growing chorus of critics accusing Ald. Hadden of creating a hostile political environment where dissent is punished. 

“People are coming out of the woodwork to talk but feel that they have to do it anonymously because they fear retaliation from her and her staff,” the resident told Chicago City Wire. “Whether it be the building department getting called on you, or you get a phone call, or whatever. If you’re a restaurant, you’re threatened with the health department being called. And don’t put a sign in your window for anyone but Maria or you will be hassled.” 

The resident, a self-described political centrist and former neighborhood volunteer, detailed a pattern of harassment, censorship and intimidation that they say has grown worse during Hadden’s time in office.

“We had a business move into the neighborhood, a thrift shop, and the owners didn’t think or believe the same way many of the far-left people in our neighborhood think,” the resident said. “So the ‘loving, accepting’ people in our neighborhood went and hatefully protested in front of their shop and ran those people out. Maria didn’t do a damn thing to protect them. Her minions went full out.”

One of the resident’s biggest frustrations, they say, is what they describe as a deliberate effort by Hadden to control public discourse and shut out dissenting voices—especially during community meetings.

“Maria’s Zoom meetings are censored,” the resident said. “She hand-picks attendees. And only holds in-person community meetings when it’s a non-issue."

These concerns follow similar claims made by 49th Ward resident Vaughn Buxton, who alleges Hadden allowed defamatory and false comments—accusing him of being a pedophile—to remain on her official Facebook page. 

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Buxton said the online attacks, which he believes are politically motivated, triggered severe PTSD. 

Despite his repeated reports, Hadden has not removed the comments, prompting Buxton to file a formal ethics complaint.

Buxton recently told Chicago City Wire that he and others were removed from the Rogers Park News Facebook group by Hadden supporters, termed "Haddenites" by opponents, after sharing Chicago City Wire’s reportage featuring voices critical of Hadden. 

Another prominent critic, Brent McCollum-Ottinger—a former Democrat and lifelong LGBTQ+ advocate—also claims he was harassed and doxxed for supporting Hadden’s opponent in 2023, Belia Rodriguez. 

He said Hadden’s Chief of Staff, Leslie Perkins, enabled the smear campaigns and says online spaces were flooded with fake accounts simulating support for Hadden. 

McCollum-Ottinger, who now lives part-time in Indiana, says public safety has deteriorated to the point where he avoids walking in Rogers Park and would leave permanently if he could sell his condo.

The anonymous resident agrees. 

“I can say she has divided this ward and depending on who you are demographically is whether or not you matter in our ward, everybody doesn't matter in the 49th Ward,” they said.

The resident expressed frustration with what they see as selective representation in the ward, claiming that some voices that meet pre-defined demographics are prioritized over others.

“If you're a white, straight person, you're SOL (shit out of luck),” the resident said. “Not everybody matters. Only a certain group of constituents matter. And that's a problem.” 

Having lived in Rogers Park for decades, the resident has seen the ward through its highs and lows—but says the recent decline is unmatched. 

“When I moved in it was this beautiful lakefront community. Then it had its dip—but it was nothing like now,” they said. “We have crime.” 

Addressing the evolving dynamics of the neighborhood, the resident expressed negative feelings about the changes. 

“The word is out that Rogers Park is a place for a certain element of people,” the resident said. "It's not just gays and trans; it's just, you know, criminals, and you can hang out now on Howard Street or Morse Avenue, and that's okay. You know, [they] can sit and drink and do whatever, and... whatever. And that's okay, and it's not okay."

These social and safety concerns intersect with formal allegations against Hadden. 

In 2023, an ethics complaint filed by attorney Steven Weinberg accused her of lifting a liquor license moratorium in exchange for campaign donations from local businessman Gaurav Patel and his family. The complaint also alleges Hadden's office later reinstated restrictions to block out new competition—raising questions about favoritism and lack of transparency.

“She behaves one way—like she’s all progressive—but she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” the resident said. “I know the difference between a good alderman and a bad one and she ain't no good,” the resident said. 

Though frustrated, the resident says they stay in Rogers Park because of deep family roots. 

“I would love to be gone, absolutely gone,” the resident said.