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James A. Balcer (born June 24, 1950) is alderman of the 11th Ward (map) in Chicago. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997.
Balcer serves on six committees: Budget and Government Operations; Energy, Environmental Protection and Public Utilities; Finance; Human Relations; Police and Fire; and Transportation and Public Way.
Balcer served as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and in 2001 was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroics during that conflict. He cast the only vote against the Council's resolution opposing the Iraq War.
He was appointed to the Council in the aftermath of a scandal about disclosures about then-Ald. Patrick Huels' private security firm that resulted in Huels' resignation.
Ald. Balcer's ward encompasses part of Chicago's Southwest Side, and includes the neighborhood of Bridgeport, home of five Chicago mayors and stronghold of the Daley family. Balcer is known for his loyalty to the Daleys.
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