Sam Royko, an attorney and son of famed Chicago columnist Mike Royko, is vying against three other candidates to become the next 1st Ward alderman. Royko lives in West Town, which is on the eastern end of the 1st Ward, and decided to run for alderman while advocating for increased public safety after his girlfriend was carjacked in Wicker Park, according to his campaign website.

Royko’s girlfriend, Erin Groble, was driving his car near Division St and Ashland Ave in January 2021 when to men stormed her and stole the car, her purse and some packages in the car. Two months after the carjacking, Royko received a $100 speeding ticket, thanks to the thieves who stole his car.

He went on to found the Greater West Town Community Coalition to address the carjacking problem, where his work focused on improving public safety. Royko’s group joined a slew of other organizations in demanding more transparency and collaboration from lawmakers to hinder carjacking and violent crime in an open letter sent to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and all 50 aldermen.

Outside of his advocacy work, Royko works as a partner at L&G Law Group. Prior to joining the L&G Group, Royko was a founder and managing partner at The Royko Group. In his legal practices, Royko has represented clients in complex litigation, class action suits, employment and entertainment.

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