2015 Chicago aldermanic election


The 2015 Chicago aldermanic elections happened on February 24, 2015, to elect the 50 Aldermen that represent Chicago in the City Council. The elections were non-partisan and if no candidate received an absolute majority, a runoff would be held between the top two finishers on April 7, 2015.
Ward boundaries had been redrawn since the previous 2011 election, to reflect the results of the 2010 United States census. The new ward map had been approved by the Chicago City Council in January 2012.

Overview

Campaign

43 incumbent aldermen sought re-election. Aldermen Edward M. Burke, Marty Quinn, Brendan Reilly and Harry Osterman all ran unopposed in this election. Aldermen Toni Foulkes and Nicholas Sposato ran in different wards than those they had been incumbents of: the 16th and 38th, respectively. Incumbent aldermen Robert Fioretti, James Balcer, Latasha Thomas and Timothy Cullerton did not run for re-election.
In the first round, two candidates who ran for re-election lost their seats, including Joann Thompson. There were runoffs in 18 wards. Six additional incumbent aldermen were defeated in runoffs.

North Side

1st Ward">1st ward, Chicago">1st Ward

Incumbent alderman Proco Joe Moreno was reelected. He had been appointed alderman in 2010 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011.

Candidates

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Mia Lena Lopez

2nd Ward">2nd ward, Chicago">2nd Ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Bob Fioretti did not seek reelection, instead, opting to run for mayor. Brian Hopkins was elected to succeed him, defeating Alyx Pattison in a runoff.

32nd Ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Scott Waguespack was reelected, defeating Elise Doody-Jones, his sole challenger.

40th Ward">40th ward, Chicago">40th Ward

Incumbent eighth-term alderman Patrick J. O'Connor was reelected, defeating Dianne Daleiden, his sole challenger.

42nd Ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Brendan Reilly was reelected, running unopposed.

43rd Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Michelle Smith was reelected, defeating Caroline Vickrey in a runoff by a narrow 79 vote margin.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Steven McClellan
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Steven McClellan
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Andrew Challenger

44th Ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Tom Tunney was reelected.

Candidates

NameExperienceRef
Scott DavisCommunity activist
Mark ThomasFormer president and co-founder of Central Lakeview Merchants Association, board member of Local First Chicago, business owner
Tom TunneyIncumbent alderman

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Robin Cook

46th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman James Cappleman was reelected, defeating Amy Crawford in a runoff.

Candidates

NameExperienceRef
James CapplemanIncumbent alderman
Amy CrawfordLawyer
Denice L. DavisFormer Director of Community Affairs for congressman Bobby Rush and former chief of staff to Alderman Helen Shiller

47th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Ameya Pawar was reelected, defeating Rory Fiedler, his sole challenger.

Candidates

NameExperienceRef
Rory Fiedler
Ameya PawarIncumbent alderman

48th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Harry Osterman was reelected, running unopposed.

49th Ward

Incumbent sixth-term alderman Joe Moore was reelected, defeating Don Gordon, his sole challenger.

Candidates

Four candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures or other reasons:
  • John Beacham
  • Connie Gates-Brown
  • Grady A. Humphrey
  • Nathan Benjamin "Ben" Myers

50th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Debra Silverstein was reelected.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Hilaire Fuji Shioura
  • Peter George Sifnotis

Northwest Side

26th Ward

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

30th Ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Ariel Reboyras was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot, facing only a write-in opponent.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Edgar Esparza
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Edgar Espparza
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Walter Zarnecki

31st Ward

Incumbent sixth-term alderman Ray Suarez unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated in a runoff by Milly Santiago.

33rd Ward

Incumbent alderman Deb Mell was reelected to a first full term. Mell had been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2013.

Candidates

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

35th Ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Rey Colón unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, his sole challenger.

36th Ward

Incumbent Nicholas Sposato ran in the adjacent 38th Ward due to redistricting. Gilbert Villegas was elected to succeed him as 36th Ward alderman, defeating Omar Aquino in a runoff.

Candidates

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

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

38th Ward

Incumbent Timothy Cullerton did not run for reelection. Cullerton had been first appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2011, and had been elected outright to a full term in the 2011 aldermanic elections shortly thereafter. Redistricted 36th Ward incumbent Nicholas Sposato was elected to succeed Cullerton as 38th Ward alderman.

Candidates

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures or other reasons:
  • John J. Cianci
  • Mike Keeney

39th Ward

Incumbent alderman Margaret Laurino was reelected. Laurino had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1994, and had been reelected five times before.

Candidates

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

41st Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Mary O'Connor ran unsuccessfully for reelection, being defeated by Anthony Napolitano in a runoff.

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

45th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman John Arena was reelected, defeating John Garrido in a runoff.

West Side

22nd Ward

Incumbent alderman Ricardo Muñoz was reelected. Muñoz had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, and had been reelected five times before.

Candidates

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

24th Ward

Incumbent alderman Michael Chandler did not run for reelection. Michael Scott Jr. was elected to succeed him, defeating Vetress Boyce in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Catrina Singletary-Edwards
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures or other reasons:
  • Denarvis Mendenhall
The following candidates filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Andre Holland
  • Vernell L. Hollis-Swanigan
  • Marcus D. Thorne

25th Ward

Incumbent alderman Daniel Solis was reelected. Solis had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1996, and had been reelected four times before.

Candidates

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

27th Ward

Incumbent fifth-term alderman Walter Burnett Jr. was reelected, defeating Gabe Beukinga, his sole challenger.
Incumbent alderman Daniel Solis was reelected. Solis had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1996, and had been reelected four times before.

28th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Jason Ervin was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot, facing only a write-in opponent.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Willie McGill
Six candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures or other reasons:
  • Jasmine Jackson
  • Alex M. Lyons
  • Willie McGill
  • William Siegmund
  • Elliot Thomas
  • Tammie Vinson
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Marseil Jackson

29th Ward

Incumbent alderman Deborah L. Graham unsuccessfully sought reelection. Graham had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2010, and had been reelected in 2011. She was defeated by Chris Taliaferro in a runoff.

Candidates

NameExperienceRef
Lawrence AndolinoFormer member of the Sayre Language Academy Local School Council, lawyer
Bob GalhotraFormer president of the Cook County Public Defenders Association, candidate for Illinois 49th State Senate district in 2015
Deborah L. GrahamIncumbent alderman
Oddis "O.J" Johnson
Stephen Robinson
Zerlina SmithFormer chair of the Chicago Public Schools' Head Start Policy Committee, businesswoman
Chris TaliaferroMember of the executive board of Directors of the Northwest Side Community Coalition, lawyer, former member of the United States Marine Corps, former deputy sheriff of court services with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, former Chicago police officer
LaCoulton WallsFormer Administrative Assistant in Programs and Policy in the area of public safety for the Chicago Mayor's Office

The following candidates filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Lisa Jackson
  • Maurice J. Robinson
  • Brenda Smith
  • Deborah D. Williams

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

37th Ward

Incumbent alderman Emma Mitts was reelected. Mitts had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2000, and had subsequently been reelected in 2003, 2007, and 2011. She defeated Tara Stamps in a runoff.

Candidates

One candidate was removed from the ballot:
  • Otis Percy

Southwest Side

11th Ward">11th Ward, Chicago">11th Ward

Incumbent alderman James Balcer did not run for reelection. Balcer had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997, and had been reelected four times. Patrick Daley Thompson was elected to succeed him, defeating John Kozlar in a runoff.

12th Ward

Incumbent third-term alderman George Cardenas was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot, with only a write-in opponent.

Candidates

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

13th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Marty Quinn was reelected, running unopposed.

14th Ward

Incumbent alderman Edward M. Burke was reelected, running unopposed. The longest-serving member of the Chicago City Council, Burke had consecutively served eleven full terms, plus a partial term.

15th Ward

Incumbent two-term alderman Toni Foulkes ran in the adjacent 16th ward due to redistricting. Raymond Lopez was elected to succeed her as 15th Ward alderman, defeating Rafael Yanez in a runoff.

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

16th Ward

Incumbent alderman JoAnn Thompson sought reelection. She was challenged by redistricted incumbent two-term 15th Ward alderman Toni Foulkes and several other candidates. Thompson ultimately died two weeks before the general election. Foulkes advanced to a runoff, in which she narrowly defeated Stephanie Coleman.

Candidates

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:

17th Ward

Incumbent Latasha Thomas did not run for reelection. Thomas had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2000, and was elected outright in a 2001 special election, later being thrice reelected. David H. Moore was elected to succeed her.

18th Ward

Incumbent alderman Lona Lane unsuccessfully sought reelection. Lane had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and had been reelected in 2007 and 2011. She was defeated by Derrick Curtis in a runoff.

Candidates

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Shaakira Ali
  • Howard Lindsey

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

23rd Ward

Incumbent fifth-term alderman Michael R. Zalewski was reelected.

Candidates

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Charles M. Hughes
  • Paulino R. Villarreal Jr.

South Side

3rd Ward">3rd ward, Chicago">3rd Ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Pat Dowell was reelected, defeating Patricia Horton, her sole challenger.

Candidates

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Clarence D. Clemons

4th Ward">4th ward, Chicago">4th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman William D. Burns was reelected.

Candidates

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

5th Ward">5th ward, Chicago">5th Ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Leslie Hairston was reelected.

Candidates

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

6th Ward">6th ward, Chicago">6th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Roderick Sawyer was reelected.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
  • Susan Davis
  • Delton Jerry Pierce
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Delton Jerry Pierce
The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:
  • Dumars Ervin Franklin

7th Ward">7th ward, Chicago">7th Ward

Incumbent alderman Natashia Holmes unsuccessfully sought reelection. Holmes had been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2013. She was defeated by Gregory Mitchell in a runoff.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed:
  • Jesse L. Harley
  • Chevette A. Valentine
One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Lynn Renee Franco

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

8th Ward">8th ward, Chicago">8th Ward

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

20th Ward

Second-term incumbent alderman Willie Cochran was reelected, defeating Kevin Bailey in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Jerome Davis
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Jerome A. Davis
  • Ronnie D. Nelson

Far South Side

9th Ward">9th ward, Chicago">9th Ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Anthony Beale was reelected.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Agin Muhammad
Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
  • Curtiss Llong Bey
  • Agin Muhammad II

10th Ward">10th ward, Chicago">10th Ward

Incumbent fourth-term alderman John Pope unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Susan Sadlowski Garza in a runoff by a narrow 20-vote margin.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Albert Valentine

Results

As of April 21, Alderman Pope had filed suit for a recount. On May 12, however, Pope conceded defeat to Garza.

19th Ward

Incumbent first-term alderman Matt O'Shea was reelected, defeating Anne Schaible, his sole challenger on the ballot.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed:
  • Joann Breivogei

21st Ward

Incumbent third-term alderman Howard Brookins was reelected, defeating Marvin McNeil in a runoff.

Candidates

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

Endorsements

First round

Runoff

First round

34th Ward

Incumbent alderman Carrie Austin was reelected. Austin had first been appointed alderman by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1994, and had subsequently been reelected to five consecutive subsequent terms before this.