Press Release

DC NOMINATING COMMITTEE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR NORTH SIDE YOUTH VACANCY ON THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Date:

September 19, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 16, 2026 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Nicole Garcia 
Nicole.Garcia@cityofchicago.org 

DISTRICT COUNCIL NOMINATING COMMITTEE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR NORTH SIDE YOUTH VACANCY ON THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 

CHICAGO, IL- The District Council Nominating Committee is now accepting applications from young adults residing on Chicago’s North Side to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). The application period is open through October 18, 2026. 

“The Nominating Committee is excited to launch an application process for a new young-adult Commissioner,” said Sam Schoenburg, Nominating Committee member for the 19th District Council. “We hope to find candidates with sound judgment, strong collaboration skills, and personal experience or a specific interest related to policing and its impact across Chicago’s diverse communities.” 

Under the CCPSA Ordinance, at least two Commissioners must reside on the North Side, two on the South Side, and two West Side. The ordinance also requires two Commissioners to be between the ages of 18 and 24 at the time of appointment. Commission Vice President Angel Rubi Navarijo currently fills both a North Side seat and one of the two youth seats. Because his term ends on October 18, 2026, applicants seeking appointment to the seat must meet both the North Side residency and youth requirements. 

For purposes of this nomination process, the North Side is defined as the area north of Roosevelt Road, from Lake Michigan west to the Chicago River; north along the North Branch of the Chicago River to the 606; west along the 606 to the Metra rail line; and north and west along that rail line to the western city limits. (See map below.) 

In March 2026, the Nominating Committee conducted a nomination process for three upcoming vacancies on the Commission and submitted nominees to the Mayor. The Mayor appointed Anjanette Young and Angelique Guzman, who now serve as Commissioners. On September 16, the Mayor declined to make an appointment to the third seat from the nominees previously submitted and requested a new list of nominees from the Nominating Committee. 

Under the CCPSA ordinance, the Nominating Committee is required to submit at least two nominees for each vacant seat or expiring term on the Commission. The Committee will accept applications for 30 days, through Sunday, October 18, 2026, followed by a review and interview process to identify new nominees.  The Committee expects to submit the nominees to the Mayor by November 17, 2026. 

“Having young people represented on the Commission ensures that their experiences and perspectives are part of the conversations about policing, accountability, and public safety in Chicago,” said Darrell Dacres, Nominating Committee member for the 20th District Council. “We want young people across the city to know that their voices belong in this work, and we encourage them to apply.”  

The District Council Nominating Committee consists of one representative from each of Chicago’s 22 District Councils. The Committee conducts the application, review, and interview process and submits nominees to the Mayor for consideration. Mayoral appointments to the Commission are subject to approval by the Chicago City Council For more information about the nomination process, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit https://ccpsa.chicago.gov/apply-to-serve-on-the-commission/.

CCPSA’S REGIONAL DESIGNATIONS BY COMMUNITY AREA