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Candidate for Alderman in Chicago's 44th Ward

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DJ is running for 44th Ward Alderman because everyone deserves to feel safe, stay connected, and thrive economically — these pillars protect what we love about our neighborhood and prepare it for the future.

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<h2>DJ Announces His Run for 44th Ward Alderman</h2>"This campaign is going to be about neighborhood-first leadership."

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<h3>Dennis (DJ) Doran is an entrepreneur, an Air Force veteran, a pilot, and a community advocate who has a demonstrated ability to build businesses and relationships across the city he loves. </h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/aea27c9b-41c1-4f70-8f2d-0baa7eb0e2cf/5f94891d-4c1d-45d3-92be-6de2e14011fb/5f94891d-4c1d-45d3-92be-6de2e14011fb.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=967%2C0%2C3065%2C2716&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="DJ learned to fly in the Air Force and remains an avid GA pilot." align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">DJ learned to fly in the Air Force and remains an avid GA pilot.As the founder of&nbsp;Chicago Deserves Better, a non-profit focused on civic accountability and governance reform, DJ has become a powerful voice for residents who feel overlooked by City Hall.DJ is an entrepreneur who has led multiple companies in a 35-year business career, including as president and CEO of Aequalitas Media, which owned and operated print and digital publications as one of the fastest-growing LGBTQ+ media companies in the United States.DJ was executive director of the National Equality Media Association, comprised of LGBTQ+ publishers nationwide. In 2022 he was named one of <a href="https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/eps-25-over-50,239459" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"25 over 50" by Editor and Publisher Magazine</a>, recognized as a publisher with a strong work ethic, transformational mindset, and a commitment to journalistic and publishing excellence, with ability to lead during challenging times. Currently DJ is CEO of Aviator Development LLC and a real estate broker with Pearson Realty Group specializing in complex residential and commercial transactions. As CEO of Aviator Development, DJ acquires and modernizes properties and provides affordable housing throughout the city.DJ is running for 44th Ward Alderman because he believes city government has become inefficient, ineffective, and disconnected from the needs of everyday Chicagoans. He will bring a neighborhood-focused, responsive style of leadership that improves public safety, increases smart development, strengthens transparency, unifies our diverse communities, and advocates for seniors, small businesses, homeowners, and renters.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/aea27c9b-41c1-4f70-8f2d-0baa7eb0e2cf/36189ebb-449f-41ad-b0af-48e825038315/36189ebb-449f-41ad-b0af-48e825038315.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C478%2C2316%2C2610&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="DJ and his husband (and their dog) live in Lakeview. " align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">DJ and his husband (and their dog) live in Lakeview. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/aea27c9b-41c1-4f70-8f2d-0baa7eb0e2cf/f966e017-6316-46c7-9b13-e668a81df648/f966e017-6316-46c7-9b13-e668a81df648.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2267%2C3041&amp;w=1500" alt="Oliver in Balloons" caption="OLIVER" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">OLIVER

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Business leader. Air Force veteran. Community advocate. Dennis (DJ) Doran is an entrepreneur who has led multiple companies and organizations in a 35-year business career. He is currently the CEO of Aviator Development, a real estate development company, and a broker at Pearson Realty Group. DJ also served as executive director of the non-profit Chicago Deserves Better, which has worked to establish a commission to develop a city charter, a constitution to provide a pathway to better governance and to guide Chicago to a more prosperous future."For almost 15 years, my husband, Joe, and I -- and our dog, Oliver -- have called the 44th Ward our home," Doran says. “Our neighborhoods need and deserve a strong, responsive leader with a practical, results-oriented approach to local government. The residents of the 44th Ward deserve a real choice and an independent, effective voice when they cast their ballots for Alderman.”

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Why it's necessary:<ul><li>Active commercial corridors:&nbsp;Lakeview East's Belmont, Broadway, and Halsted corridors are full of small businesses, but post-pandemic recovery has been uneven.</li><li>Ward-level priority:&nbsp;The 2025 44th Ward Community Plan (released after extensive resident input) explicitly lists "Local Businesses &amp; Commercial Corridors" as a top focus area, reflecting voter demand for balanced development.</li><li>Broader pressure:&nbsp;Chicago's economic dashboard shows job postings rising in early 2026, but North Side neighborhoods like those in our Ward need targeted support to prevent vacancies and maintain the neighborhood's unique character.</li></ul>My plan is clear and practical:<ul><li>Streamline permitting so small businesses can open and grow faster.</li><li>Use menu funds for storefront improvements and corridor enhancements.</li><li>Partner with the Lakeview/Roscoe Village Chamber to attract the right kind of development that adds jobs while protecting our residential streets. I plan to work closely with all business stakeholders in the Ward as well as all of the organizations that are impacted by growth and development to ensure we maintain a balanced approach to both.</li></ul>

Support the small businesses we love on Broadway, Belmont, and beyond — not just the big developments and national retailers. The 44th Ward needs jobs and growth that benefit the people who already live here.

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

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Why it's necessary:<ul><li>Safety:&nbsp;In March 2026, a senior was beaten on the Belmont CTA platform in Lakeview East — a high-visibility case that underscores safety and accessibility gaps.</li><li>Accessibility failures:&nbsp;Multiple CTA stations in the Ward lack full elevators or have narrow/inaccessible turnstiles, creating daily barriers for all residents, especially seniors and people with mobility issues.</li><li>Demographics:&nbsp;The 44th Ward has roughly 8.6% residents aged 65+ (per recent ACS data). Lakeview East contains pockets of older homeowners and renters who rely heavily on the Red, Brown, and Purple Lines. Citywide, 1 in 5 Chicagoans risk losing reliable transit access if state funding isn't secured.</li></ul>My plan is clear:<ul><li>Push CTA for urgent elevator repairs and full accessibility upgrades at all 44th Ward stations</li><li>Partner with Pace to expand senior paratransit options</li><li>Fight for full state funding so service cuts don't hit the 44th Ward hardest</li></ul>

Cleaner and more accessible CTA stations. More bike lanes and fewer "ghost buses." Residents should be able to travel throughout the city without fear or frustration.

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My plan is results-focused:<ul><li>More beat meetings and stronger CPD partnerships in high-risk areas</li><li>Expanded camera coverage and better lighting on key corridors (Belmont, Broadway, Surf)</li><li>Targeted prevention programs focused on retail theft, car break-ins, and gun violence</li><li>Faster response times and real accountability so residents feel safe again — day and night</li></ul>

The 44th Ward should feel safe day and night. Real safety means fewer thefts, faster police response, and proactive prevention — not just more talk.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDJ Doran Announces Candidacy for Alderman of Chicago’s 44th WardCHICAGO, IL, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — Business executive, Air Force veteran, and Lakeview community advocate Dennis (DJ) Doran announces his candidacy for Alderman of Chicago’s 44th Ward today at 11 AM in front of a local icon, Stella’s Diner at 3042 North Broadway.Doran’s campaign will focus on restoring responsive neighborhood leadership, with an emphasis on improving public safety and public transit, strengthening accountability at City Hall, and supporting responsible economic development throughout the Ward.“For nearly 15 years my husband and I have called the 44th Ward our home,” Doran said. “Our neighborhoods need a strong leader with a practical, results-oriented approach to local government. The residents of the 44th Ward deserve a real choice and an independent voice when they cast their ballots for Alderman.”Doran is an entrepreneur who has led multiple companies spanning a 35-year business career. He is currently CEO of Aviator Development, a real estate broker at Pearson Realty Group, and the executive director of the nonprofit Chicago Deserves Better, which works to establish a commission to develop a City Charter, a local constitution to guide Chicago’s future.&nbsp;EVENT DETAILS:What: Campaign Launch, Dennis (DJ) Doran for Alderman of the 44th Ward Who: The event is open to Ward residents, supporters, media, and members of the public When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 11 AM Where: Stella's Diner, 3042 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 CONTACT:Tom Ciavarella(312) 539-1377<a href="mailto:tom@djdoran.com">tom@djdoran.com</a>

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