Micah Caldwell (Berwyn City Council Ward 1, Illinois, candidate 2025)
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Micah Caldwell ran for election to the Berwyn City Council Ward 1 in Illinois. He was on the ballot in the general election on April 1, 2025.[source]
Caldwell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Micah Caldwell provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on January 31, 2025:
- Birth date: March 8, 1989
- Birth place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Bachelor's: Saint Louis University, 2011
- Graduate: Marquette University, 2013
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Therapist
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Putting People First
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
- Campaign YouTube video
Elections
General election
General election for Berwyn City Council Ward 1
Micah Caldwell and James S. Lennon ran in the general election for Berwyn City Council Ward 1 on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Micah Caldwell (Nonpartisan)  | |
| James S. Lennon (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Berwyn City Council Ward 1
Micah Caldwell, James S. Lennon, and Rigoberto Salazar Jr. ran in the primary for Berwyn City Council Ward 1 on February 25, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Micah Caldwell (Nonpartisan) | |
| James S. Lennon (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Rigoberto Salazar Jr. (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
To view Caldwell's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Caldwell in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Micah Caldwell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Caldwell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Hi there! I’m Micah Caldwell, and I’m running to be your First Ward Alderman here in Berwyn. My wife, daughter, and I love this city, and I want to make it an even better place to live.
I’m a mental health therapist and small business owner, and I’ve spent my career helping people navigate tough challenges. After moving to Berwyn, I saw ways our community could be safer, more connected, and more welcoming, so I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I lead Bike Walk Berwyn, a community group that advocates for safer streets and better transportation options. I’ve spoken up at City Council meetings, pushed for infrastructure improvements, and worked to get more people involved in local issues.
At home, I’ve faced the same frustrations many residents in Berwyn deal with, like flooding, a frustrating permit processes, speeding cars in our neighborhoods, and rising taxes. As a parent, I want my daughter to grow up in a place where families feel safe, businesses thrive, and neighbors have a real voice in local decisions. But too often, City Hall feels out of touch with the everyday concerns of the people who live here.
Berwyn deserves leadership that listens, problem-solves, and puts residents first. And that’s exactly the kind of Alderman I’ll be.- It’s frustrating when decisions from City Hall seem to come out of nowhere, or when you speak up but feel like you’re talking to a wall. That often happens when your Alderman simply rubber-stamps the mayor’s agenda instead of listening to residents. Berwyn deserves an independent voice on the City Council. Someone who truly listens and works for your best interests. I’ll always put you first. As a mental health therapist, I’ve learned the value of clear, honest communication. I’ll send regular bilingual updates, hold neighborhood meetings, and make it easy for you to share your thoughts online. I’m committed to making sure your voice is heard and respected.
- One question I hear a lot in Berwyn is, “Why are our taxes so high?” Like many of you, I ask the same question when I see my own tax bill. If we’re paying a lot in taxes, we should get a lot in return. To make that happen, I’ll push for an independent performance audit of how our tax dollars are spent, identify waste, and reinvest savings into programs that benefit our community. I’ll advocate for a transparent budget process and participatory budgeting, so you have a voice in how your taxes are used. I’ll also push to hire a dedicated grant writer so that we can secure state and federal grants to bring in resources without raising taxes.
- Berwyn’s economy has potential, but we’re seeing too many video gambling parlors taking over prime retail spaces or gambling machines infiltrate our favorite establishments, especially in the Depot District. This hurts our local economy by preventing diverse, locally-owned businesses from thriving. We need to limit new gambling permits, prevent clustering, and promote businesses that will make Berwyn a place where everyone wants to spend time. As a small business owner, I’ll work to revitalize areas like the Depot District and Ogden, create walkable streets, and eliminate outdated, stifling "minimum parking" regulations to attract businesses that create long-term, sustainable growth for our community.
I’m passionate about fixing Berwyn’s flooding issues, improving pedestrian and bike safety, and making it easier for homeowners and small businesses to navigate city processes. I want to expand tree planting, upgrade outdated infrastructure, and invest in smarter development that supports walkable, thriving neighborhoods. I also believe in increasing transparency at City Hall, improving senior services, and ensuring every resident has a voice in local decisions. Berwyn should be a place where families feel safe, businesses succeed, and the city works for the people who call it home.
Two things come to mind. First, the book "Walkable City" by Jeff Speck has completely transformed the way I think about cities and what Berwyn could become. It shows how urban design can improve quality of life and community, and it’s given me a vision for a Berwyn that prioritizes person-centered infrastructure. Second, "The West Wing" is a TV show I absolutely love and often rewatch when I feel distraught about the state of things. It offers a heartwarming, positive, and hopeful view of politics that I try to carry into my own approach. It’s about working for the common good, valuing service over self-interest, and believing that government can be a force for good in people’s lives.
I believe we need elected officials who are honest, transparent, and genuinely listen to the people they represent. It's important for them to be accountable for their decisions and communicate clearly with the community. They should always act in the best interest of residents, not driven by personal agendas or political pressure. An effective official is someone who can be trusted to do what's right, even when it's tough, and who works to solve problems with the long-term well-being of the community in mind. Above all, they should treat the people they serve with respect and integrity.
I try to be a kind and understanding person, which I think are important for a successful Alderman. Even when someone strongly disagrees with me or is upset, I take the time to understand where they’re coming from and connect with them on a human level. I think I'm level-headed and don’t get overwhelmed easily, which helps me stay focused on solutions rather than getting caught up in emotions. I also have solid public speaking skills, so communicating information, even to crowds, is something I feel comfortable doing. These qualities allow me to be approachable, handle tough situations, and work toward the best outcomes for everyone.
An Alderman’s core responsibility is to represent the people in their ward, making decisions that directly impact our daily lives. This includes voting on budgets, policies, and ordinances, as well as advocating for essential services like public safety, public spaces, and infrastructure. But beyond that, I believe an Alderman should be a true advocate for the community. They should be someone who listens, communicates openly, and works tirelessly to address residents’ needs. The role isn’t just about making decisions in a vacuum, it’s about making sure our government is transparent, accessible, and accountable. It requires constant focus on improving the quality of life for everyone in Berwyn.
I want to leave a legacy of trust and connection in Berwyn. I hope to be remembered as someone who really listened to people, worked alongside them to solve problems, and always put the community first. My goal isn’t to be the center of attention, but I’d love for people to think, "Oh yeah, I liked that guy. He was good at what he did." I want residents to feel heard, supported, and empowered by my time in office. In the end, my hope is that I’ll help make Berwyn a greener, more walkable, and just a happier place for everyone to live.
My very first job was working for my uncle in his warehouse when I was about 13. I got paid $5 an hour under the table (pretty sweet for a kid!) It wasn't the most exciting work, but I always felt very "adult" as the youngest person in the room by at least a decade.
But my first “official” job was at a movie theater, and I loved it! I could watch movies for free, sneak home giant bags of leftover popcorn, and bond with my teenage coworkers. As a high schooler, balancing school, extracurriculars, and late shifts was tough sometimes, but it really shaped my work ethic and taught me to appreciate time management!
But my first “official” job was at a movie theater, and I loved it! I could watch movies for free, sneak home giant bags of leftover popcorn, and bond with my teenage coworkers. As a high schooler, balancing school, extracurriculars, and late shifts was tough sometimes, but it really shaped my work ethic and taught me to appreciate time management!
The last song that got stuck in my head was "What's This?" from Nightmare Before Christmas. My two-year-old daughter is obsessed with it (and the entire soundtrack), so after Halloween and Christmas, it’s basically the anthem of all seasons. I'll catch myself humming it in the shower or whistling it while doing dishes or hearing it in my head while trying to fall asleep. I love Danny Elfman’s music, but at this point, I’m ready for a break! I used to be the person always hunting for new music, and looking forward to seeing my Spotify Wrapped. But now? It's just Disney songs and nursery rhymes on repeat. One day, I’ll make my grand return to the world of grown-up music... but today? It’s still “What’s this?” on loop.
While I don’t have formal experience in politics, I believe that’s actually an advantage. I’ve been involved in political action for most of my life, so I’ve seen firsthand how government works (and how it sometimes doesn’t). What I can offer is a real connection to the challenges people face every day. It’s important to me that our leaders are approachable and understand the struggles of their neighbors. I may not be a career politician, but I’m committed to listening to people and working for the community, not special interests. That’s how I’ll approach being your Alderman.
I think the most important skills for an Alderman are being a good listener, being able to solve problems, and understanding the community. You need to hear what people are saying and communicate clearly about what’s going on. When challenges arise, it’s about finding practical solutions that work for everyone. And to do that well, you have to really understand what the community needs and cares about. As a mental health therapist, I’ve spent a lot of time listening, problem-solving, and connecting with people on a personal level. And I think those are skills that will help me represent Berwyn effectively.
I don't always tell dad jokes, but when I do he laughs.
I am currently endorsed by:
- Rob Pabon, Berwyn's Fifth Ward Alderman
- Joe Carmichael, Berwyn's Eight Ward Alderman
I know money is important to people. As a mental health therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how it can dramatically change people’s lives, both for the better and worse. Financial stress is even one of the top causes of divorce. That’s why I believe government spending should be as transparent as possible. Residents deserve to know where their tax dollars are going and to have a voice in how those decisions are made. I believe in a budget process that is clear, accessible, and includes ways for you to weigh in, so people can feel confident their money is being spent wisely.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
