Meet Adam Cornelius
Family and legacy are the foundations of Adam’s commitment to service. This video of Adam’s late father—whom he lost to cancer—captures the spirit of resilience, integrity, and community that defines Adam’s approach to leadership. It is a reminder of why he fights for the dignity and well-being of every family in the 47th Ward.
Adam is a Chicagoan through and through. Raised by his Polish grandmother at 17th and Wood before moving to Wheaton, Illinois, Adam returned to the city to attend the DePaul University College of Commerce. He began his professional career as a CPA on the North Shore, where he spent eight years navigating the complex thoughts, feelings, and financial realities of closely held business owners.
Driven by a desire for new challenges, Adam transitioned into the vibrant bar and restaurant scene. This path eventually led him to a short stint in Silicon Valley running an ed-tech company, followed by a significant four-year tenure in Washington. There, he represented the second largest industry group in the United States: the hardworking employees of our nation’s bars and restaurants.
After a career pivot to serve as a stay-at-home dad, Adam found his place as an early childhood teacher. He currently serves our community as a substitute teacher for Chicago Public Schools while working toward his Illinois licensure through a one-year program at DePaul University.
A resident of the 47th Ward since 2015, Adam lives near Paulina and Wilson, close to his aging mother who also calls the ward home. Having lived here for nearly a decade, he has experienced the immense changes the neighborhood has undergone firsthand.
Adam is driven every day by a simple mission: making life better for people, no matter where they come from, who they love, and no matter what they need. If elected, Adam will make history as Chicago’s first openly bisexual alderman, bringing a vital and long-overdue perspective to City Council. As Alderman, Adam will keep the 47th Ward rooted in what has always made it a great place to live and work—its people.