Marty Quinn (Pavona-4th Period)

            On Thursday, February 2^nd, we had the pleasure of interviewing Marty Quinn, an alderman.  Mr. Quinn had not been at this job for very long, only barely passing the nine month mark.  He did not mention his prior experience with this line of work, but he did talk about his dream of becoming a high school baseball coach after his current job.  Mr. Quinn also mentioned how his bachelor’s degree in sociology helped kick-start his career as a politician.  Mr. Quinn talked about growing up on the southwest side of the city and how that helped him understand the people he was representing a bit more.

Alderman Quinn at Hancock High School

            Marty Quinn has faced many challenges but also achieved great things in his work. A huge issue that Quinn faces is foreclosure in Chicago. He works round the clock to help people keep their homes and their jobs.  He has also been working with the mayor to get more police officers in the city.  When asked about his reasoning behind being an alderman, he stated, “I got into this job not for the perception of being an alderman or for the ego of it all.  I got into this job as an opportunity for me to serve my community, as an opportunity to give back.”

            Something that Marty Quinn values is his family. He talked about how the births of his three daughters all involved some form of complications.  He told us that those births made him realize how many take life for granted.  He explained how these values connected with his work a little bit.  He said, “It’s important for me not to be phony.  As I said, I have three girls.  My 8-year old likes to come to work with me, and it’s important that it’s not only me telling her how important it is to be active in the community but actually demonstrating and showing her.”  Mr. Quinn believes that the youth should be challenged at all times, as evidenced by his support of the Longer School Day.  He greatly values education.

            Mr. Quinn did not really offer up any specific traits of someone who is a hero.  Instead, he talked about whom he considered a hero; a Chicago fireman who, while fishing, noticed a many drowning and jumped in to save him.  He offered some advice, as well. He told us, “Take education seriously.  There are not only Americans competing in the job force, but in the global economy, as well.”  However, Mr. Quinn admitted that he did not consider himself a hero.  He simply considered himself an ordinary citizen of Chicago.  He stated that he didn’t care about the legacy he might leave behind.  Although Marty Quinn doesn’t consider himself one, we believe that Marty Quinn is a shining example of a true community hero.

Written by Barbara C.