Meet Bill Thanoukos,
candidate for Alderperson in Chicago’s 1st Ward
I’m a first-generation American, small business owner, and lifelong Chicagoan. I’m running for Alderperson of the 1st Ward because our neighborhoods deserve leadership that understands how to get results and make life more affordable.
My parents are Greek immigrants who came to this city with nothing. My dad worked as a dishwasher and a cook. My mom put herself through community college while working at a hair salon. They met in Chicago, built a life together, and eventually opened a small restaurant that became Hub’s, a North Side institution that’s been serving this city for more than 50 years. That’s where I learned what hard work really looks like.
After earning my law degree from Loyola University Chicago, I went to work serving Chicago families. As Chief of Staff to City Treasurer Stephanie Neely, I focused on supporting small businesses and expanding financial literacy in neighborhoods across the city. I was later appointed to the Chicago Housing Authority Board, where I worked on housing and community investment, making sure families had a stable, affordable place to call home.
But I never left the restaurant business. I’ve been a small business owner for years, running Greek Kitchen and helping operate my family’s restaurant. I know what it takes to meet payroll, navigate City Hall, hire locally, and build something that lasts.
