Catherine Zaryczny (Za-ridge-nee) for 32nd Ward Alderman

Family
Catherine Zaryczny (za-ridge-nee) was born and raised in the 32nd ward. She is a first generation American, the daughter of immigrant parents and grandparents. Her mother, Maria, is an administrative assistant at the University of Illinois hospital and her father, John, is a retired member of the distinguished Katherine Knight Cancer Research team at Loyola University. All four of Catherine's grandparents were European refugees.
Education
Catherine was educated in local public and private grammar schools. She served as a Chicago Public Schools Student Ambassador to the Ukraine and Russia and graduated with honors from Lane Technical High School. She completed her undergraduate education at Loyola University, graduating summa cum laude with double majors in English and Political Science. While at Loyola, Catherine studied abroad in Rome, Italy with travels throughout Europe and northern Africa. Three years later, Catherine graduated from law school at DePaul University.
Legal Career
She has practiced law in the private sector with an expertise as a trial attorney and a corporate counsel. She has also been responsible for the management of millions of dollars of nationwide environmental litigation. Catherine also serves as a part time arbitrator for Circuit Court of Cook County.
Languages
Catherine speaks and writes five languages besides English (Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Italian) and for the past year and one half, in response to the pressing national need for skilled linguists, has, at her own expense, been applying her language skills to learning and mastering Arabic.
Community Involvement
As a law student, Catherine volunteered for nearly two years as a 711 Student Attorney with the homicide task force of the Office of the Cook County Public Defender, assisting indigent defendants in felony and capital cases. In 2004, Catherine was elected and served for two years as a Local School Council Community Member for Columbus Elementary School. Her volunteer activities also include: coaching moot court at the John Marshall Law School; pro bono trial work for the South Suburban Humane Society; and contributing to the book Advertising in the Legal Profession (American Bar Association Press).
Historic Preservation Activities
Working with and providing assistance to the Historic American Buildings Survey of the National Park Service and the Architecture Department of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, to increase public awareness about historic buildings. Please Join Us: (773) 742-3479