“Joe Moore continues to serve as both an innovator and as an independent progressive leader in the City Council. The 49th Ward continues to make great strides, even in the struggling economy. Joe’s implementation of participatory budgeting in the ward is one of the finest and most inclusive forms of democracy in action that you will find anywhere in the country.”

Joe Moore received the endorsement of one of the pre-eminent publications in Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian community–Gay Chicago Magazine.  In endorsing Joe’s re-election, Gay Chicago Magazine joins the Chicago Sun-Times , which endorsed his re-election last week, as the only publications thus far to weigh in on the 49th Ward Aldermanic race.

Here’s what Gay Chicago Magazine had to say:

http://www.nowingaychicago.com/2011/02/joe-moore-for-city-council-49th-ward.html

“Politics in the 49th Ward can be contentious and boisterous, to say the least. It’s a diverse collection of people with widely varying interests, from distinctive communities and business hubs to college students who rent and homeowners who want stable neighborhoods and good schools.

“It’s a tough ward to represent, but we think Ald. Joe Moore has actually gotten better and better at it in the 20 years he’s held the job. He gets criticism for taking on national and even international issues sometimes, as when he urged the City Council to oppose the Iraq War, got the Council to ban foie gras and fought to keep Walmart out of Chicago unless it changed its labor practices. But there are people who love that he carries the flag of progressivism in the City Council; no less than The Nation named Moore the country’s Most Valuable Local Official in 2008 for his advocacy of progressive causes.

“Moore also faced criticism in the past that he neglected more mundane residents’ concerns in the ward–deteriorating streets and infrastructure, crime, development and so forth–but he’s noticeably upped his game in addressing those issues his past two terms and that criticism has quieted. Much of the 49th Ward is looking much better and is safer these days because of Moore’s leadership. And we like the way he’s worked for development that preserves a balance of affordable rental housing and other housing in the ward.

“Gay Chicago Magazine is proud to endorse Joe Moore for alderman of the 49th Ward.

Joe Moore received the endorsement of the 7,000-member Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 in his race for re-election as 49th Ward Alderman. The members of Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 are well respected for their commitment and bravery in protecting the safety of Chicago residents. Alderman Moore has a long history of backing issues important to Chicago firefighters. Local 2 members know Joe strongly supports them as they seek to do their jobs protecting our community.

Alderman Joe Moore was honored to receive the endorsement of Citizen Action Illinois. Citizen Action Illinois is the state’s largest public interest organization and a progressive political coalition committed to creating social change both in Illinois and across the nation. Moore has been a leader on a wide array of progressive issues throughout his career and was named “Most Valuable Local Official” in the United States by The Nation magazine.