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, Scott Waugespack, Gilbert Villegas, Brendan Reilly, and Nicholas Sposato.
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, Stephanie Coleman, Jeanette Taylor, Michael Rodriguez, Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Felix Cardona, Rossana Rodríguez, Samantha Nugent, Andre Vasquez, Jim Gardiner, Matt Martin, and Maria Hadden. 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

Election calendar

For candidates

For voters

DateDescriptionStatute Source
March 5Last day for regular voter registration. After this and until election day, and voting will be available at designated polling places.
Indeterminate 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.
March 28Last day for registered voters to apply for mail-in ballots.
April 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.

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

Two write-in candidates filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
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

Two write-in candidates filed:

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

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

40th ward

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

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

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

One write-in candidate filed:

43rd ward

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

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
First round
Runoff

Results

44th ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Tom Tunney won reelection.

Candidates

The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
One write-in candidate filed:

Results

46th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman James Cappleman won reelection, defeating Marianne Lalonde in a runoff by a margin of only 25 votes.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:

Results

47th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Ameya Pawar did not seek reelection as alderman, opting to instead run for City Treasurer of Chicago. Matt Martin was elected to succeed him, defeating Michael Negron in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
All candidates, except Kastafaros, appeared at a forum focused on education issues on January 17, 2019. All candidates, except Ladien and Schwartzers, appeared at a forum on business issues on January 24. A third forum hosted by several neighborhood Chambers of Commerce was scheduled on January 26.

Endorsements

;Runoff

Results

48th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Harry Osterman won reelection, defeating David Williams III, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

49th ward

Incumbent seventh-term alderman Joe Moore unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Maria Hadden, his sole challenger.
Through this election, the victor Maria Hadden made history as the first LGBTQ woman of color to be elected to Chicago's City Council.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
Hadden and Moore both identify as progressives, but their policy positions differ sharply on a number of issues, including policing, accepting donations from developers, use of tax-increment financing, and charter school expansion. Both candidates participated in a debate hosted at Sullivan High School on January 15, 2019. At the debate, they disagreed on a number of issues, including a freeze on new charter schools, funding for a new police training facility, and use of tax-increment financing for the proposed Lincoln Yards project.
In February 2019, a controversy emerged when two photographers alleged that the Moore campaign used their photographs in campaign advertisements without permission or attribution. Another controversy emerged late in the campaign when a Moore staffer accused a 15 year old Hadden volunteer of espionage.

Endorsements

Results

50th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Debra Silverstein won reelection.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:

Campaigns

A candidate forum is scheduled for February 10, 2019.

Results

Northwest Side

26th ward

Incumbent alderman Roberto Maldonado won reelection. Maldonado had been first appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2009, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011 and 2015.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
*

Results

30th ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Ariel Reboyras won reelection, defeating Jessica Gutierrez in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

31st ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Milly Santiago unsuccessfully sought reelection, losing to Felix Cardona, Jr. in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
;Runoff

Results

33rd ward

Incumbent alderman Deb Mell unsuccessfully sought reelection. Mell had first been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2013, and had subsequently been reelected in 2015. She was defeated by Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
The following candidates submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process:
;First round
;Runoff

Campaign

All three candidates appeared at a candidate forum hosted at Bateman Elementary School on February 7, 2019. The forum was originally scheduled for January 30 but was postponed due to the polar vortex.

Results

35th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa was reelected, defeating Amanda Yu Dieterich, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Campaign

Dieterich and Ramirez-Rosa appeared at a candidate forum hosted by Logan Square Preservation on January 8, 2019.

Results

36th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Gilbert Villegas was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

38th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Nicholas Sposato was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

39th ward

Incumbent alderman Margaret Laurino did not run for reelection. Laurino had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1994, and had been reelected six times. Samantha Nugent was elected to succeed her, defeating Robert Murphy in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
The following candidates submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process:
;First round
;Runoff

Results

41st ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Anthony Napolitano won reelection, defeating Tim Heneghan, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

45th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman John Arena unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Jim Gardiner.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:

Results

West Side

22nd ward

Incumbent alderman Ricardo Muñoz did not run for reelection. Muñoz had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, and had been subsequently reelected six times. Michael D. Rodriguez was elected to succeed him.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Campaign

All four candidates appeared at a candidate forum at Little Village Lawndale High School on January 31, 2019.

Results

24th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Michael Scott Jr. won reelection.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
One candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:

Results

25th ward

Incumbent alderman Danny Solis did not run for reelection. Solis had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1996, and had subsequently been reelected five times. Byron Sigcho-Lopez won the race to succeed him, defeating Alex Acevedo in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
All five candidates appeared at a forum hosted by the Pilsen Law Center and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois on January 12, 2019. Two additional forums were scheduled: one hosted by the West Loop Democratic Club is scheduled on January 23, and one hosted by the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community and other Chinatown community organizations on January 28.

Endorsements

;First round
;Runoff

Results

27th ward

Incumbent sixth-term alderman Walter Burnett Jr. won reelection, defeating Cynthia Bednarz, his sole challenger.

Candidates

Three write-in candidates filed:

Results

28th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Jason Ervin won reelection.

Candidates

Three write-in candidates filed:
The following candidate submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before ballot certification:

Results

29th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Chris Taliaferro won reelection.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

37th ward

Incumbent alderman Emma Mitts won reelection. Mitts had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2000, and had subsequently been reelected in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Candidates

Three write-in candidates filed:

Results

Southwest Side

11th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Patrick Daley Thompson won reelection, defeating David Mihalyfy, his sole challenger on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

12th ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman George Cardenas won reelection.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

13th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Marty Quinn won reelection, defeating David Krupa, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Campaign

Krupa ran on a platform of lowering property taxes and increasing police presence in the ward. Krupa walked back comments from 2016, in which he had declared himself to be a, "day one Trump supporter" to a reporter from the Chicago Reader. Krupa received support from 2018 Republican candidate for Illinois governor, Jeanne Ives, who helped fundraise for his campaign.
Quinn had originally challenged Krupa's ballot petition. However, Quinn's campaign submitted 2,800 sworn affidavits to the Board of Elections, supposedly from residents that had claimed they never signed Krupa's petitions. This create a problem for Quinn, since Krupa had only filed around 1,700 signatures in his petition, and only 200 of those signatures overlapped with affidavits submitted by Quinn's campaign. This meant that the majority of affidavits submitted by Quinn were either falsified or fraudulent. Quinn later dropped his challenge to Krupa, meaning that Krupa would appear on the ballot. Reports arose that the FBI had opened an investigation into Quinn's affidavits. This incident also brought free publicity to Krupa's candidacy.

Results

14th ward

Incumbent alderman Edward M. Burke won reelection. The longest-serving member of the Chicago City Council, Burke had consecutively served twelve full terms, plus a partial term. Burke won reelection despite having had a criminal complaint filed against him by the FBI on January 2, 2019 for attempted extortion.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
The following candidate had submitted nominating petitions but withdrew:

Results

15th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Raymond Lopez won reelection, defeating Rafa Yanez in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
One candidate submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process:

Campaign

A candidate forum was scheduled on February 5, 2019.

Results

16th ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Toni Foulkes unsuccessfully sought reelection. She was defeated in a runoff election by Stephanie Coleman, whom she had narrowly defeated four years earlier.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
;First round
;Runoff

Results

17th ward

First-term incumbent alderman David H. Moore won reelection, defeating Raynetta Greenleaf, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

18th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Derrick Curtis won reelection, defeating Chuks Onyezia, his sole challenger.

Candidates

Two write-in candidate filed:

Results

23rd ward

Incumbent alderman Silvana Tabares, who had been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2018, won reelection to a first full term, defeating Paulino Villarreal, her sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

South Side

3rd ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Pat Dowell won reelection, defeating Alexandria Willis, her sole challenger on the ballot.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Campaigns

A candidate forum was scheduled on January 29, 2019.

Results

4th ward

Incumbent alderman Sophia King, who had been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2016, won election to a first full term, defeating Ebony Lucas, her sole challenger on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

5th ward

Incumbent fifth-term alderman Leslie Hairston won reelection, defeating William Calloway in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
;First round
;Runoff

Results

6th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Roderick Sawyer won reelection, defeating Deborah A. Foster-Bonner in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:

Results

7th ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Gregory Mitchell won reelection.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

8th ward

Incumbent alderman Michelle A. Harris won reelection. Harris had first been appointed alderman in 2006 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and had subsequently been reelected in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

9th ward

Incumbent fifth-term alderman Anthony Beale won reelection.

Candidates

Three write-in candidates filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
One candidate submitted nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:

Campaign

A candidate forum was scheduled on January 26, 2019 at the Altgeld Murray Community Center.

Results

10th ward

First-term incumbent Susie Sadlowski Garza won reelection, defeating Robert "Bobby" Loncar, her sole challenger.

Candidates

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

Results

19th ward

Second-term incumbent Matthew O'Shea won reelection, defeating David Dewar, his sole challenger on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:

Results

20th ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Willie Cochran did not run for reelection. Jeanette Taylor was elected to succeed him, defeating Nicole J. Johnson in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Six candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
;First round
;Runoff

Results

21st ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Howard Brookins won reelection, defeating Marvin McNeil in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

Results

34th ward

Incumbent alderman Carrie Austin won reelection, defeating Preston Brown Jr., her sole challenger on the ballot. She had first been appointed alderman by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1994, and had subsequently been reelected to six consecutive subsequent terms before this.

Candidates

Four write-in candidates filed:

Results