Meet the Candidates and submit your vote.
Below is an alphabetized list of candidates for the positions of Area Representative. Candidates shown with an asterisk are incumbent Area Representatives. You must be an Active member of the Chicago Police Lieutenants Association to vote. You must be logged in to vote. Please use the link below to submit your vote. Vote for a maximum of six candidates. If you have any difficulties with the ballot please reach out to: timothy.kennedy0808@outlook.com
Jessica Duckins (011)
My name is Jessica Duckins, and I have 18 years of experience that have equipped me with the skills and abilities necessary to excel as an Area Representative. I have worked in various bureaus of the Chicago Police Department, including the Bureau of Patrol, the Bureau of Counter-Terrorism (Vice Division), the Bureau of Counter-Terrorism (Narcotics Division), the Bureau of Detectives (Special Investigation Unit), the Juvenile Intervention and Support Center, the Bureau of Internal Affairs (Medical Integrity Section), and as a Tactical Lieutenant in the Bureau of Patrol. These roles have provided me with the opportunity to identify and mitigate contractual matters. My experience in the Bureau of Internal Affairs has also given me the opportunity to review contractual issues, investigate complaints, and assess Collective Bargaining Agreements to ensure fairness in the workplace. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to supporting all of you as the Area Representative.
Christopher Gunnell* (007)
Thank you for taking the time to vote for our union leadership. I am proudly serving in my 27th year with the Chicago Police Department and have served as lieutenant for over 10 years, over nine of which have been in the Bureau of Patrol (005 and 007). Last year, when a vacancy was created, I stepped forward and have served our membership as a Unit Representative. If elected, I will continue to serve our membership and to utilize my experience on our collective behalf. In addition to my experience as a lieutenant and as a current area representative, I will use my education, which includes a MBA in Finance from Dominican University and BA from the University of Chicago, on behalf of our membership. Thank you again for voting in our union’s election.
Jose (Pepe) Lopez* (014)
I am honored to say that I have worked in numerous Districts including 023, 002, 004, 017 & 014. However, most of my career has been spent in investigations as a detective in Area Four Homicide, Gang Intelligence & as a supervisor in Gang Enforcement, Gang Investigation, Area One Violent Crimes & Area Five Property Crimes. I greatly enjoy my current assignment in the 014th District.
I attended Indiana University & completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management through Calumet College of St. Joseph. I also received a Master of Laws from DePaul University.
Over the years I have worked with Lodge 7 to bring to light numerous issues that could adversely affect our fellow Officers such as unfair labor practices & violations of the bargaining agreement. As an Area Representative for the CPLA, I will continue to advocate for our members & provide the competent & vigorous representation they deserve.
I bring considerable experience regarding Officer involved shootings, use of force issues, search warrants & investigations.
I remain readily available as a resource to further the interests of my fellow Lieutenants & ensure we retain the protections & benefits we have long fought for.
Thank you for your consideration!
Jonathan Reckard* (020)
Greetings Fellow Lieutenants,
I have been with the Department for over 28 years and have served as a Lieutenant for the last 12 years. For 11 of those years, since 2015, I have served as an Area Representative on the CPLA.
As a Patrolman, I worked in 008 and Public Housing South. As a Sergeant, I worked in 011, 010, MSF, 004, and Area 2 Gang Enforcement. As a Lieutenant, I have worked in 019 and spent seven years as a Commanding Officer in the Bureau of Internal Affairs. Presently, I am assigned to 020.
I currently oversee the Membership Committee and am a member of the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee reviews grievances filed by our members and evaluates their merit under the contract and Department directives. When a member rejects a recommended penalty on a sustained complaint, I am one of the members who reviews the case and writes the summary report that goes to the arbitrator for a final decision. My time at BIA gave me an inside understanding of how complaints are investigated and how discipline is decided, and I use that knowledge to make sure our members are treated fairly.
In brief, and for the record, I’m asking you to vote Reckard.
William Riga* (003)
My name is William Riga, and I am seeking your support for the position of Lieutenants’ Union Area Representative. I have proudly served the Chicago Police Department for more than 18 years, beginning my career in April 2008. Throughout that time, I have had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of assignments, including patrol,tactical teams, violence reduction initiatives, specialized units, and administrative and supervisory positions. My career has taken me from working the streets of the 015th & 11th District to the Bureau of Patrol and the Office of Community Policing, where I worked alongside members from across the Department on initiatives involving training, policy development, operational improvements, and interdepartmental collaboration. Today, I serve as the 3rd Watch Operations Lieutenant in the 003rd District. These experiences have given me a broad understanding of the Department, the challenges we face as supervisors, and the importance of having strong, knowledgeable, and dependable representation.
One of the most meaningful parts of my career has been my service with the Chicago Police Department Honor Guard, which I joined in 2009. For more than 17 years, I have had the privilege of representing our Department and honoring our fallen brothers and sisters, their families, and the traditions of our profession. During that time, I have participated in countless funeral honors, memorial services, ceremonies, and National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. I also had the opportunity to serve as a supervisor within the Honor Guard, coordinating personnel, managing ceremonial responsibilities, and working closely with members from throughout the Department and law enforcement agencies across the country. My time with the Honor Guard has reinforced something I have always believed: our greatest strength is the commitment we make to one another. Whether standing alongside a grieving family, honoring a fallen officer, or working through the challenges of a demanding assignment, I have learned the importance of loyalty, trust and simply being there for fellow members when they need you most. Those are the same principles I have brought and will continue to bring to the position of Area Representative. I am not seeking this position for recognition or personal advancement. I am seeking it because I believe our lieutenants deserve someone who will listen, communicate openly, advocate for their interests, and work tirelessly on their behalf. I understand the pressures and responsibilities that come with our rank, and I recognize the importance of protecting our contractual rights, ensuring fair treatment, and making certain our concerns are heard and addressed.
If elected I will continue the work I have been doing since being installed. I promise to be accessible, responsive, and unwavering in my commitment to representing you. I will put in the time, do the work, ask the difficult questions, and stand beside you when it matters. You deserve an Area Representative who works as hard for you as you work for this Department, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Joseph Schuler* (142)
With over 26 years of service and nearly 10 years in grade, I have worked in numerous districts and units throughout the city, gaining valuable experience and a broad understanding of the challenges facing our members. As the current Union Area Representative, I am committed to representing our members’ interests, addressing their concerns, and ensuring their voices are heard. I ask for your continued support.
Joseph Simpson (008)
My name is Joe Simpson and I am a 28-year member of the Department. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of serving in multiple districts and specialized units. These diverse assignments have provided me with a broad understanding of the department, its members, and the challenges officers face at every level. Throughout my career, at each rank I have held, I have also served as a union representative, advocating for the rights, interests, and well-being of my fellow officers. This experience has given me a firsthand understanding of the importance of strong representation, open communication, accountability, and standing up for the membership. I believe my years of service, leadership experience, and longstanding commitment to union representation have prepared me to effectively serve as an area representative.
