Since first elected in 1979, Councilwoman JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI'S office has serviced over 250,000 constituent service requests. This phenomenal feat has dubbed her the “Queen of Constituent Service” but in the 6th Councilmatic District, she answers to simply, “Joanie” and residents still visit her at her home or stop her in the supermarket for help and assistance.
Born and raised in the neighborhood of Port Richmond and educated in the Philadelphia Parochial School System, this mother of three sons began her career as a public servant in 1972 as an investigator for the Philadelphia Department of Revenue. She served as President of Local 1660-School Board Employees, District Council 33, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Union.
She was elected Ward Leader of the 65th Democratic Ward in 1978 and ran for City Council in 1979 and she became the first woman in Philadelphia City Council history to hold the position of Majority Leader.
Councilwoman Krajewski is the chairwoman of Appropriations Committee and vice-chairwoman of Public Safety Committee. She sits on the Committees of Public Property and Public Works, Licenses and Inspections, Public Safety, Fiscal Stability, Legislative Oversight and Disabled and Handicapped.
Joan made national attention when she was the first elected official to sponsor a “Right To Know” legislation and also when she went into battle over the overpopulation of inmates that resulted in the Philadelphia Prison cap, a decision she fought tirelessly against.
She was honored in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” awards when they bestowed Best Councilperson to her in 1987, 1990 and 1991 before giving her the ultimate honor and inducting her into their Hall of Fame in 1993.
A champion to give her constituents a better quality of life, Krajewski has been the primary sponsor of multiple bills focused on quality of life issues. She founded the ever successful CLIP, the Community Life Improvement Program that works with communities to combat problems such as graffiti, abandoned cars, vacant lots, trash and animal violations and unkempt properties.
Since it’s introduction, over 4,000 trees have been trimmed, 3,500 properties have been cleaned and cleared, 7,000 abandoned autos have been towed, graffiti has been removed from 15,000 properties and 4,000 new street signs and poles have been erected.
Joan has been leading and fighting for the redevelopment of the North Delaware Riverfront with an ultimate goal to give the waterfront back to the residents of Northeast Philadelphia in the form of residential, commercial and recreational facilities along the Delaware River.
