Tom Allen (Chicago)

Tom Allen (Chicago)

Tom Allen served as an administrative and legislative assistant to Alderman Thomas Cullerton (38th Ward Chicago) before succeeding him.

Tom Allen was active in several community organizations: the Portage Park Advisory Board, the Irving Park YMCA, the Sunshine Activity Center for Mentally Handicapped, and the Polish American Police Association. Aldermanic career
Allen was appointed Alderman in 1993 by Mayor Richard M. Daley to complete the term of Thomas Cullerton, who died in office after a long illness. Allen was elected to a full term in 1995, and re-elected in 1999, 2003, and 2007.

As Alderman of the 38th Ward in Chicago, Allen was concerned about illegally converted rooming houses. To combat this, Allen created a task force to identify, investigate, and close illegal rooming houses.

Allen was chairman of the Transportation and Public Way Committee. He also served on seven other committees: Aviation; Budget and Government Operations; Buildings; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Economic, Capital and Technology Development; Finance; and Zoning.

In 2008 Allen was found to be one of seven Chicago aldermen who between them got ten of their children good-paying summer jobs with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Amateur boxing for charity

While trying to stay in good physical shape in the spring of 1997, Alderman Tom Allen volunteered to do some amateur boxing for a charity event called ' The Roar At The Shore'. The amateur boxing show was held at the South Shore Cultural Center on Chicago's South side. Democratic Alderman Allen was matched up with a fellow North Side Chicago Alderman, Republican Brian G. Doherty of Chicago's 41st Ward. Allen a former basketball player may or may not have been a wee bit taller, but Doherty was not only several years younger, but also a former Chicago Golden Gloves Novice Champion.

Fortunately, the charity match was only three one minute rounds with 18 oz. gloves. The charity bout went on, with amateur/professional referee Pete Podgorski officiating the contest. Both men went head to head banging with the oversized 18 oz gloves. The match went the distance of three one minute rounds with Doherty scoring the only knockdown. Doherty was awarded the victory, both Alderman touched gloves and smiled with respect for each other at the conclusion of the match.