Meet Harvey’s 2027 5th Ward candidates
To keep the status quo or elect a political newcomer? Here’s the dilemma 5th Ward residents are faced with for the 2027 5th Ward race.
The 5th Ward race is much like the 4th Ward: a two-term incumbent versus a fresh face and a disgruntled constituency with an itch to scratch.
Ald. Dominique Randle-El was elected in 2019, following an energy of reform after infamous mayor Eric J. Kellogg was prevented from running again due to term limits. But his performance has been lackluster.
Rare ward meetings. Barely convening committees. And joining his alder allies to gaslight residents in the face of unrelenting criticism over Harvey’s delinquent audits, culture of police intimidation, and commitment to providing residents less than minimal municipal services. He ran unopposed in 2023. Now, he’s fighting for his political life facing a challenger with a finance and banking background.
The 5th Ward has irregular boundaries. It spans 145th St. at its northernmost tip to 153rd St. at its southernmost end; Halsted St. to Wood St., east to west. Here’s who filed to be its next leader.
Amanda Askew
Amanda Askew is a third generation Harvey native. Askew regularly speaks during public comment at City Council meetings, seeking accountability from city officials regarding delinquent financial reports and economic development. She graduated from Tennessee State University and holds a background in nonprofit management and banking working as senior community lender for Allies for Community Business.
Political allyships: Colby Chapman, Sharron McGee, Asucena Gutierrez, Glynis James-Watson
See Askew’s election packet here.
Dominique Randle-El
Dominique Randle-El is the current 5th Ward alderman and chair of the legislative committee. He made an unsuccessful run for 5th Ward in 2015, but was ultimately elected in 2019. Randle-El is now seeking his third term in office. He ran unopposed for his second term in 2023. In 2025, Randle-El was a part of the late mayor Chris Clark’s “Reform Thornton Township Party” campaign during the late mayor’s brief run for township supervisor.
Randle-El ran against Shirley Drewenski for acting mayor in February following Clark’s death. The initial council vote resulted in a tie, but Drewenski later defeated Randle-El in an unanimous vote. Randle-El presided over a council meeting in Clark’s absence weeks before the mayor’s death. He voted to approve a water detention pond on 153rd St. and Myrtle Ave. that resulted in the displacement of longtime Black and Latino residents.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, previously worked for the Harvey Police Department, and chaired the public safety committee during his first term. Randle-El currently works as a field operator for the South Cook Mosquito Abatement, located on 155th St. and Dixie Hwy.
Political allyships: Telanee Smith, Tyrone Rogers, Marshun Tolbert, Shirley Drewenski
See Randle-El’s election packet here.
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