DC 20 Alliance: Faulkner, Kling, & Smith
About the Slate
Nassir Faulkner, Rebecca Kling, and Erik Smith are running for Police District Council in Chicago's 20th Police District.
Each of Chicago’s twenty-two police districts has a local District Council (DC), created in 2021 as part of broader accountability reforms. Each DC has three elected members who work as a team to uplift community concerns around policing and public safety, alternative response programs, police accountability, and more.
District Councils function best as a team, which is why we–Nassir Faulkner, Rebecca Kling, and Erik Smith–are coming together to run as the DC20 Alliance. Between now and mid-October, we’re collecting signatures to ensure we get on the ballot.
The first DC elections took place in 2023, meaning district councilors are currently finishing their first terms. The next District Council elections will take place in February, 2027; all three of the current District Councilors in District 20 have announced that they will not be running again.
We all have deep community and personal connections across District 20 and we are ready to work alongside District 20’s residents to transparently communicate with our constituents, elevate community concerns, and advocate for a District 20 that is safe and thriving.
NASSIR FAULKNER (he/him) is a queer Black man, community leader, public servant, and longtime North Side resident committed to building safer and more equitable communities by listening to and working alongside the people who call them home.
Raised by his mother and his grandmother, who immigrated to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago, Nassir understands the importance of community, service, and looking out for one another. He has spent nearly a decade working in state and county government, building experience in public policy, communications, and community engagement.
Nassir has lived on Chicago’s North Side since 2012 and has called the 48th Ward home since 2017. He has been an active member of the community, currently serving on Care for Real’s Board of Directors as Secretary to the Board on the Board. As a new voice in public service, Nassir brings both professional and lived experience to the 20th Police District Council. He understands that people come to conversations about public safety with different perspectives, and believes that everyone deserves to be safe, heard, and respected in their community.
REBECCA KLING (she/her) is an educator, community organizer, and advocate for change. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Better World Collaborative, a progressive communications and organizing consultancy, and has been part of the transgender rights movement in Chicago and across the country for more than twenty years.
Along the way, Rebecca has also served as a union steward in the environmental movement, been arrested twice for civil disobedience (once in Chicago protesting against racialized policing, and once in Washington, DC, protesting against federal immigrant detention camps), and is currently on the board of directors for Harbor Camps, a summer camp for transgender and nonbinary youth, and the all roles which have taught her the importance of community, working together, and friendship bracelets.
Rebecca has lived most of her adulthood in and around Andersonville, most recently moving back to the 47th Ward in 2020. She became involved in the 20th Police District Council following the ICE raids in and around Chicago in late 2025 and early 2026, and she firmly believes that–while no one can do everything–everyone can do something to push for a more just and equitable world.
ERIK SMITH (he/him) is a proud native of Appalachian Ohio with over 16 years of extensive experience managing projects in challenging environments across the Midwest. As a battle tested tactician, he has been honored to work for a diverse array of exceptional organizations including America Votes, Public Interest Network, Kim Foxx for States’ Attorney Campaign, and the U.S. Census Bureau gaining valuable project management, grassroots organizing, data analytics, coaching, recruitment, fundraising, and media relations skills.
Erik is a relentless problem solver tackling any project he takes on with a modern, people-centered, and data-driven philosophy. Collaborating to find solutions, accomplishing mission goals, and exceeding expectations are his professional passions.
Outside of delivering results, Erik enjoys biking adventures, whipping up delicious recipes, cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes, and exploring his home base Chicago, Illinois. He is happiest when chilling with his beautiful partner Desiree and their two mischievous kittens Lucy and Gizmo.