by Elpidio R. Estioko
Most politicians in the city council who won their seats for the first time devote their time to observing and acquainting themselves in council proceedings in silence.
Well, not with Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, the first ever Filipino American elected in the Los Angeles City Council.
Jurado is actively doing her job as a freshman legislator during her first 100 days and lately, by positively endorsing and advocating three key projects for the city.
Last June 6, in a press statement sent to this writer, it stated that:
“Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, the only openly queer LA City Councilmember, kicked off the LA City Council Pride Presentation. This year’s theme is Building Collective Power Through Community, as the city uplifts its local organizations that support the queer community. The councilmember honored the city-wide queer organizations: Latino Equity Alliance, REACH LA, and Los Angeles LGBT Legal Services Center with individual district honorees.”
The event was held at Los Angeles City Hall, John E. Ferraro Chambers, 200 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, California.
Moreover, after a series of stops in various parts of Council District 14 and nearly 200 attendees, the Budget Listening Tour she led enlisted the help of City Controller Kenneth Mejia and Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky to help demystify the process and inform Jurado’s priorities.
Recently, Jurado voted to adopt the 25-26 City Budget, culminating a nearly two-month-long community engagement process that started with her Budget Listening Tour.
“Throughout this process, I’ve brought my constituents along the way to ensure my vote reflects their priorities,” said Jurado.
“While this budget reflects tough choices and is far from perfect, it shows a willingness to face our structural challenges head-on, setting a path for a more just, equitable, and inclusive Los Angeles.”
As a result of her advocacy crusades, the adopted budget included several of those priorities she has been advocating such as: Retaining as much funding as possible for city services that contribute to public safety including graffiti removal and street lighting repair; Preserving funding for key workforce development programs such as the Day Laborer Centers.; and Restoring 38 critical planning positions to implement the DTLA 2040 Plan and develop the Boyle Heights Community Plan.
In a separate statement sent to this writer, it said:
“Councilmember Jurado will continue to actively explore opportunities and creative solutions to fund her priorities that were not included in the final budget, including the Benjamin Franklin Library and public restrooms.”
Additionally, Jurado reached a community agreement on the 710 corridor zoning.
In another press statement sent by her office, the statement read:
“The City Council approved a motion memorializing an agreement reached with community members regarding 710 corridor zoning. This agreement is a result of a community consensus determined through a series of meetings led by Councilmember Jurado’s office. The zoning adopted by the motion will allow for the 710 corridors to continue with the existing single-family, low-density multi-family, and low-scale commercial characteristics of the neighborhood while allowing property owners to pull basic building permits not allowed under previous designations.”
Jurado said: “This agreement is an example of community-led development and co-governance in action. I’m grateful for the El Sereno community’s willingness to work with my team to restore trust and communication lost in previous administrations.”
This long-awaited motion allows property owners to make renovations and expansions that have been delayed for decades due to improper zoning.
Jorge Garcia, of the El Sereno Historical Society, said:
“The 710 Caltrans homes have been an issue in the community for decades. The fate of the homes was in limbo for years, especially after the 710 extension was defeated. Our hope was for current residents to be able to buy the homes they have been living in. Councilmember Jurado and her staff took the time to listen to the community’s concerns and actually worked to find a common ground.”
El Sereno Resident, Hugo Garcia, spoke about the collaboration process:
“I believe the Councilmember and her staff – unlike her predecessor – responded to the community’s concerns in a very transparent and inclusive manner. Councilmember Jurado met with our committee three times and was very forthright and responsive.”
The new zoning will apply to approximately 300 parcels in the pathway of the 710 North Extension Freeway.
Jurado has achieved tangible results during her first 100 days in office. This was her commitment on Election night: Bringing back basic city services to the region which was among her first order of business.
Jurado, who represents the 14th District, has introduced motions calling on city agencies to look into the district’s unreliable street lights and the closure of a Boyle Heights library plagued by construction delays.
While these reports are forthcoming, Jurado has touted these actions as “just getting started.”
“Good things take time, and they take even longer at City Hall,” Jurado told Boyle Heights Beat in a statement.
Jurado is an American tenants’ rights lawyer and politician who ran for the Los Angeles City Council in 2024 and defeated incumbent Kevin de León, becoming the first person of Filipino descent elected to the City Council.
She was born and raised in Highland Park, Los Angeles, to Carlo Jurado and Jocelyn Jurado. She has one brother, Raphael. Her grandmother, Irene Jurado, was a lawyer in Iligan, Philippines, serving as lead counsel for The Evening Post.
At age 17, Jurado became a mother and co-parented with her aunt while working. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Juris Doctor.
She then pursued a career as a housing rights attorney, where she focused on defending workers facing wage theft and representing tenants in eviction cases.
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… please email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.
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