Byron Sigcho-Lopez (born July 7, 1983) is a Chicago politician and community activist. He is the alderman of Chicago's 25th ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He won an open race to succeed outgoing alderman Daniel Solis in the 2019 Chicago aldermanic election. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He was elected as 25th Ward Democratic Committeeperson in 2020.
Early life and education Sigcho-Lopez was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador.Democratic Socialism Is the Only Way to Challenge the System We Have SARAH HURD, Jacobin, 02.17.2019 Sigcho-Lopez earned a bachelor's degree from Cumberland University in Tennessee, and a Master's from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Sigcho has reportedly had addiction issues since 2007 - which lead to his first divorce.
Political career Sigcho-Lopez unsuccessfully challenged Danny Solis in the 2015 Chicago 25th Ward aldermanic election.
In 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was elected to succeed outgoing 25th Ward alderman Danny Solis.
On April 10, 2019, prior to being sworn in, Sigcho-Lopez joined six other newly elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.
Sigcho-Lopez assumed office May 20, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, Sigcho-Lopez demanded a review of all permits and licenses approved by disgraced former Alderman Danny Solis.
In November 2019, Sigcho-Lopez was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget. He joined all five other members of the Socialist Caucus in signing a letter to Lightfoot which criticized her budget for "an over-reliance on property taxes" and "regressive funding models" that are "burdensome to our working-class citizens, while giving the wealthy and large corporations a pass." Sigcho-Lopez, over the course of Lightfoot's mayoralty, would be regarded to be a vocal critic of hers.
In February 2024, Sigcho-Lopez filed a defamation lawsuit against Aida Flores, whom he defeated in the 2023 aldermanic election, over social media posts stating that he had failed to allocate the ward's annual infrastructure funds. In October 2024, Cook County Circuit Judge Jerry Esrig dismissed the suit with prejudice, ruling that the statements did not meet the legal standard for defamation even if false. Esrig separately declined to find that the suit qualified as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/sigcho-lopez-libel-lawsuit-against-opponent-tossed-judgehttps://www.aol.com/judge-dismisses-ald-byron-sigcho-213900493.html
In February 2025, staff from Sigcho-Lopez's ward office removed Block Club Chicago reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez from a community meeting regarding the reopening of a Pilsen bar. The meeting had been publicly announced and was held at a Chicago Public Schools facility; two other reporters were permitted to remain. His office initially stated that CPS permission for media had not been obtained, a claim CPS contradicted. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker recorded the incident.https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/25/aldermans-office-kicks-reporter-out-of-meeting-on-controversial-bar-reopening/https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/chicago-reporter-booted-from-community-meeting-by-city-councilmans-staff/https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/alderman-defends-staffs-decision-to-eject-reporter-from-meeting/
On March 22, 2024, Sigcho-Lopez spoke at a City Hall rally against the Gaza war at which Marine veteran Zachary Kam had burned a flag that he had flown while on tour in Afghanistan. This prompted some of Sigcho-Lopez's City Council colleagues to call for him step down as chairman of the Council's Housing Committee. On April 1, 2024, a resolution to remove him as chair failed 29 to 16.
On January 28, 2026, Sigcho-Lopez announced his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 4th district. Sigcho-Lopez was running as an independent.
In July 2026, the Illinois State Board of Elections removed Sigcho-Lopez from the November ballot in the 4th Congressional District after finding his petitions more than 1,200 valid signatures short of the requirement for independent candidates. He subsequently filed suit in federal court challenging the signature requirement as unconstitutional, and in August 2026 ended his congressional campaign and announced a bid for reelection as alderman.https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/04/byron-sigcho-lopez-sues-state-over-excessive-election-laws-for-independent-candidates/https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/19/byron-sigcho-lopez-launches-reelection-campaign-for-alderman/https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/22/mac-sigcho-lopez-talk-next-steps-after-ballot-removal-race-replace-chuy-garc
Personal life Sigcho-Lopez is married to Loreen Targos. In June 2022, Sigcho-Lopez and Targos became parents to triplets.
In August 2026, Byron Sigcho’s previously sealed divorce papers were unsealed and it revealed he has an alleged porn, sex and escort addiction. Sigcho has denied the claims. The judge court granted the divorced based on testimony.
After these divorce papers were unsealed and reported on, Sigcho accused two lawyers of having connections to AIPAC/Isreal, in what was described by one of the attorneys as “Jew hunting.”
The two attorneys have taken legal action against the former alderman, for making false accusations, potentially causing financial and reputational harm, and are seeking remediation.
Electoral history
See also List of Chicago alderpersons since 1923 List of Democratic Socialists of America who have held office in the United States
References
External links Official campaign website