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Published on: 2/22/2007
Last Visited: 5/24/2007
Chicago's First Ward - Manny Flores, Alderman
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Flores said he cherishes these early hours because often these are the only moments during the week that he sees his son.
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While every ward differs, Flores said that there are certain aspects of the daily job that most good city leaders follow.Here is what a typical schedule looks like:
Flores said that once he has taken care of Teddy, he starts reading the morning newspapers.This is where he finds out what's going on in other municipalities, gathers information about trends and formulates ideas for potential legislation.
"I made it a habit that after helping with my son, I read the Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, the Sun-Times, and just about any other publication I can get my hands on in the morning," he said.
After reading the news, Flores gets ready for work.Usually his schedule is prepared weeks in advance, depending on what is going on in the office or in the city.He is already planning for certain meetings in his head - something Flores says he does throughout the day.
He has a Palm Pilot that he has become heavily reliant on since becoming alderman, where he can take calls, access the Internet and write up notes and letters on a Word document from any location.
"It allows for a greater level of flexibility and efficiency when I am out," Flores said."I have grown very reliant on that personal computer."
What Flores stresses is that no one day as alderman is the same.
"Typically it will start with morning breakfast meetings," he said.
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"You want to make sure that the design for the outdoor café is consistent with the laws and regulations of what is permissible, and that you consider the impact on the neighborhood," Flores said.
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At some point in the day, Flores carves out some personal time where he can reflect on ways he can shape legislation, fix some of the problems that have been brought to his attention at the meetings, and also be effective in running an office.
It's Flores' duty to make sure the five employees in his ward office come across as professional and that they feel appreciated, so that they, in turn, can give courteous service to the 60,000 residents in his ward.
"These are all college graduates, and if they were working in the private sectors, they would be making a lot more money," he said of the people in his office."But these are people who have dedicated their lives to serve the public."
Flores goes on to stress that an alderman couldn't be nearly as productive without the people in his ward who have his back.
There are other aspects of his job that may not be under the direct purview of the alderman's office, but he will be held accountable for if it fails.The Chicago Public School system is an example.
"Although you may not have a direct impact, or hold the purse strings, you still have a role to play in bringing parents together, and bringing issues to the forefront for administrators," he said.
Basically, aldermen are expected to know everything about anything to do with their ward.If not, they will hear from the constituents.
While Flores does work some Sundays, he tries to reserve that day for his family.His wife keeps him grounded and helps him to take a step back, he said.
"But things are always going to come up," he said."This is not a nine-to-five job.On any given week you are putting in at least 60 to 70 hours if you are doing the job the way you ought to be."
Flores said when his last meeting is complete for the evening, he gets home around 9 p.m.
"I go home, hug my baby, kiss my baby," he said.
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