For over 30 years, Rafael Avila has lived in Berwyn, raising his family and serving the community. 

A longtime civic leader, Rafael was the first Latino elected to the Berwyn City Council and spent 12 years as an alderman to become one of the city’s longest-serving members of the Council. Among Rafael’s proudest achievements during his 2009–2021 tenure as an alderman were sponsoring the Welcoming City Ordinance, championing a minimum wage increase, and promoting economic growth and the redevelopment of Cermak Plaza.

Rafael is deeply rooted in Berwyn. He aims to make the city a better place for his children and grandchildren to call home.

To help Berwyn reach its potential, Rafael has immersed himself in the community. He has served on the mayor’s community advisory board, as the 7th Ward Democratic Committeeman, and as the founder of the now-defunct Berwyn Hispanic Organization. 

Seeing a need for better green spaces for families, Rafael was elected to the office of commissioner for the North Berwyn Park District. During his six-year term, which began in 2005, he was instrumental in opening the 16th Street Theater and Senior Center for the Park District while ensuring that the Berwyn Gardens got a much-needed upgrade.

As a candidate to be the next Mayor of Berwyn, Rafael pledges to review city departments to identify the support that best serves our community; prioritize transparency and seek community input on Berwyn’s issues; hire a professional human resources director; and continue to collaborate with schools and park boards to create better and more engaging activities and resources for youth and seniors.