2019 Chicago aldermanic election

The 2019 Chicago aldermanic election took place in two rounds on February 26 and April 2, 2019, to elect 50 aldermen to the Chicago City Council. Each alderman represents one of Chicago's 50 wards. The elections are non-partisan and use a two-round system where the top two finishers compete in a second-round run-off if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the first round. The elections were party of the 2019 Chicago elections, which included elections for Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer.

Of the 50 incumbent aldermen 45 ran for re-election. Incumbents did not run in the 20th, 22nd, 25th, 39th, and 47th wards. Five aldermen ran unopposed: Brian Hopkins (2nd ward), Scott Waguespack (32nd), Gilbert Villegas (36th), Brendan Reilly (42nd), and Nicholas Sposato (38th).

Three aldermen were defeated in the first round, and four more were defeated in run-off elections. There were a total of 12 new aldermen elected: Daniel La Spata (1st ward), Stephanie Coleman (16th), Jeanette Taylor (20th), Michael Rodriguez (22nd), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), Felix Cardona (31st), Rossana Rodríguez (33rd), Samantha Nugent (39th), Andre Vasquez (40th), Jim Gardiner (45th), Matt Martin (47th), and Maria Hadden (49th). After the election, the council's Progressive Caucus grew from 10 to 18 members and a new 6-member Socialist Caucus was formed.

Overview

Campaign Candidates for city council are required to submit 473 valid signatures from registered voters in their ward to appear on the ballot. A total of 212 candidates submitted nominating petitions, an increase from 184 candidates in the 2015 election. However, the total number of candidates is lower than the 351 candidates in 2011, the last municipal election that, like 2019, had an open race for mayor.

In the first round, three aldermen who ran for re-election lost their seats. There were run-offs elections in 14 wards: 10 races where incumbents are running, and four races for open seats. At least three additional incumbent aldermen were defeated in run-off elections.

Seat changes +WardIncumbentIncumbent statusAlderman-electRef1Proco Joe MorenoDefeated in general electionDaniel La Spata16Toni FoulkesDefeated in run-off electionStephanie Coleman20Willie CochranRetiringJeanette Taylor22Ricardo MuñozRetiringMichael Rodriguez25Daniel SolisRetiringByron Sigcho-Lopez31Milly SantiagoDefeated in run-off electionFelix Cardona33Deb MellDefeated in run-off electionRossana Rodríguez Sanchez39Margaret LaurinoRetiringSamantha Nugent40Patrick O'ConnorDefeated in run-off electionAndre Vasquez45John ArenaDefeated in general electionJim Gardiner47Ameya PawarRetiring, ran unsuccessfully for City TreasurerMatt Martin49Joe MooreDefeated in general electionMaria Hadden

Election calendar

For candidates + Key dates for candidatesDateDescriptionStatute SourceAugust 28, 2018First day to circulate nominating petitions. Candidates need to submit at least 473 valid signatures from registered voters in their ward in order to appear on the ballot.10 ILCS 5/10-410 ILCS 5/10-4November 19–26Period to submit nominating petitions to the Chicago Board of Elections.10 ILCS 5/10-6(4),10 ILCS 5/10-6(4) 5/10-8December 3Last day for candidates to submit objections (also known as challenges) to other candidates' nominating petitions.December 20Last day for candidates to withdraw from the election.10 ILCS 5/10-7,10 ILCS 5/10-7 5/10-15; 65 ILCS 20/21-9February 26, 2019Election day, first round. Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.March 19Last day for Board of Elections to announce results of first-round election.10 ILCS 5/22-17April 2Election day, second round run-off (as needed in each ward). Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

For voters +Key dates for voters, for first-round elections on February 26, 2019DateDescriptionStatute SourceIndeterminate–February 25Early voting period at designated polling places. The law requires that early voting begins 40 days prior to the election (i.e. January 17), but the Board of Elections has announced that due to ongoing nominating petition challenges, the start of early voting will be delayed.10 ILCS 5/19A-1510 ILCS 5/19A-15January 29Last day for regular voter registration. After this and until election day, "grace period" registration and voting will be available at designated polling places.10 ILCS 5/6-29;10 ILCS 5/6-29 5/6-100February 21Last day for registered voters to apply for mail-in ballots.10 ILCS 5/19-210 ILCS 5/19-2February 26Election day, first round. Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.March 19Last day for Board of Elections to announce results of first-round election.10 ILCS 5/22-1710 ILCS 5/22-17 +Key dates for voters, for second-round elections on April 2, 2019DateDescriptionStatute SourceMarch 5Last day for regular voter registration. After this and until election day, "grace period" registration and voting will be available at designated polling places.10 ILCS 5/6-29, 5/6-50, 5/6-51, 5/6-53, 5/6-10010 ILCS 5/6-29, 5/6-50, 5/6-51, 5/6-53, 5/6-100Indeterminate date–April 1Early voting period at designated polling places. Early voting will begin once the Board of Elections certifies the results of the first-round elections and consequently confirms where second-round elections are needed. The latest possible date for certification of first-round elections is March 19, 2019.10 ILCS 5/19A-15March 28Last day for registered voters to apply for mail-in ballots.10 ILCS 5/19-2April 2Election day, second round. Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.April 23Last day for Board of Elections to announce results of second-round election.10 ILCS 5/22-17

North Side 1st ward Incumbent alderman Proco Joe Moreno unsuccessfully sought reelection. Moreno had been appointed alderman in 2010 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011 and 2015. Moreno ultimately lost reelection to his sole challenger, Daniel La Spata.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefProco Joe MorenoIncumbent alderman(Website )Daniel La SpataFormer vice president of Logan Square Neighborhood AssociationCommunity activist(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)

Two write-in candidates filed: Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer in 2019 congressional candidate in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2016, and 2018; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate Justin Tucker

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Justin Tucker

The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:

Trevor Grant, statistician and data scientist, Illinois National Guard Veteran

Campaign Moreno and La Spata appeared at a candidate forum hosted by Logan Square Preservation on January 8, 2019.

Endorsements

Results

2nd ward Incumbent first-term alderman Brian Hopkins won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefBrian HopkinsIncumbent alderman

Two write-in candidates filed: Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2016, and 2018; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate Mollie May Brady

Endorsements

Results

32nd ward Incumbent third-term alderman Scott Waguespack won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot. He appeared at a candidate forum covering the Logan Square neighborhood on January 8, 2019.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefScott WaguespackIncumbent alderman

One write-in candidate filed: Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2016, and 2018; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

Results

40th ward Incumbent ninth-term alderman Patrick J. O'Connor unsuccessfully sought reelection, being defeated by Andre Vasquez in a runoff.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefAndre VasquezUtility company managerCommunity activist(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Dianne DaleidenChicago Public Schools teacherMember of local school councilBusinesswoman(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Maggie O'KeefeSmall business owner(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Patrick O'ConnorIncumbent alderman(Website)Ugo OkereFormer chairman of youth organization Fuerza del SolLocal government agency employeeCommunity organizer(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)

Endorsements

Campaigns A candidate forum organized by several community organizations was scheduled on January 29, 2019.

Results

42nd ward Incumbent third-term alderman Brendan Reilly won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefBrendan ReillyIncumbent alderman

Results

43rd ward Incumbent second-term alderman Michele Smith won reelection, defeating Derek Lindblom in a runoff.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefDerek LindblomAide to U.S. Senator Chuck SchumerEconomic policy advisor to Mayor Rahm EmanuelHealthcare entrepreneur(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Jacob RingerFormer chief of staff for Chicago's Chief Financial OfficerFormer president of Lincoln Park Auxiliary BoardLawyer(Website )Michele SmithIncumbent alderman(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Leslie FoxFormer executive director of host committees for 1994 World Cup and 1996 Democratic National ConventionPublic relations consultant(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Rebecca JanowitzFormer coordinator for special projects for Chicago Public SchoolsLawyer, former legal services provider(Website )(Facebook)(Twitter)Steve McClellan(Facebook)(Twitter)

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Matthew Roney , student at DePaul University

Endorsements First round

Runoff

Results

44th ward Incumbent fourth-term alderman Tom Tunney won reelection.

Candidates +Certified candidatesNameExperienceCampaignRefAustin BaidasFormer manager of state government agenciesFormer advisor at U.S. Department of TransportationFormer CEO(Website )(Facebook)(Twitter)Elizabeth ShydlowskiFundraising consultant(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter)Tom TunneyIncumbent alderman(Website)(Facebook)(Twitter) The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:

Patrick Shine, U.S. Air Force veteran, co-founder of non-profit This Is My Country, Inc.

One write-in candidate filed:

2019 Chicago aldermanic election

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