Ald. Derrick Curtis (18) has represented the 18^th Ward on the City Council since 2015 and since 2012, Curtis has served as the 18^th Ward Democratic Committeeman following his service as Ward Streets and Sanitation Superintendent. Curtis, who is a concealed-carry firearm license instructor, has been involved in two accidental shootings in the last several months — one in which he was injured and another in which his daughter was injured.

In January 2023, Curtis told the Sun-Times he was “having second thoughts about his support for Mayor Lori Lightfoot — and his role as her “No. 1 cheerleader” — because of the mayor’s ‘coldness,’ including her failure to reach out to him after he accidentally shot himself.” Before serving as alderman, Curtis was a local school council member, little league coach and was known for being active in his neighborhood.

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