Do what you want to do.
And go where you're going to.
Think for yourself,
'Cause I won't be there with you.
-- George Harrison
These are my own personal views as a native Chicagoan and lifelong observer/participant/chronicler of, in, and of Chicago politics. These do not necessarily reflect the views of organizations that I write or broadcast for except where noted.
The only independent candidate. The only progressive candidate. The only candidate not to have cashed in his years of public service for millions of dollars in "earned income." The only candidate to have refused political cash contributions from those doing business with the city. (Emanuel's war chest? $8.3 million. Chico's? $2.9 million. Chico's sponsor, Alderman Ed Burke's? $6.6 million.) The only candidate who has started seriously thinking about our schools. The only candidate with a demonstrated record of ethics in public life (as a state senator and as city clerk). His personal style strikes some as too low-key, and his ethical stance on contributions has kept his budget beyond low, but he's been picking up steam in the past weeks.
Even if you like what's-his-name, let's see him prove himself in a serious run-off in April and not just let this be handed to him as a gift without a contest. You can visit Miguel del Valle's website here. My fellow city observer and nonpareil architecture eyeballer Lynn Becker has an eloquent endorsement here.
For City Clerk: Susana A. Mendoza
A competent, hard-working state representative over a Machine hack.
For City Treasurer: Stephanie D. Neely
Unopposed, but raising the bar of competency, innovation, and professionalism.
Selected aldermanic races:
2nd Ward (South Loop): Genita C. Robinson -- Toss out the disappointing, showboating incumbent. Both papers agree.
3rd Ward (Bronzeville): Pat Dowell. Re-elect a fine alderman. Turn back the Tillman family. Both papers agree.
4th Ward (Kenwood-Hyde Park): William D. "Will" Burns. In the Chicago tradition, a good state representative would rather be where the action is in the City Council. Would succeed Toni Preckwinkle, now President of the Cook County Board. Both papers agree.
5th Ward: (Hyde Park-South Shore): Re-elect incumbent Leslie A. Hairston. Then let's light a little fire under her. Both papers agree. (My home ward.)
12th Ward: (Near Southwest Side): Jesus "Jesse" Iñiguez. Experienced young community figure takes on the vestiges of the Machine's "Hispanic Democratic Organization." Endorsed by blue-ribbon Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Migeul del Valle, and both papers.
18th Ward (Far Southwest Side): Chuks Onyezia. A sharp Federal government attorney takes on a meaningless incumbent. Both papers back him.
24th Ward (West Side): Melissa L. Williams should replace an absurd incumbent. Sun-Times agrees.
32nd Ward (Bucktown): Scott Waguespack is probably the best alderman in Chicago. And he's also an outstanding one. Various outfits are trying to take him down. Don't let them. Both papers strongly agree.
42nd Ward (Downtown): Brendan Reilly had the guts to stand up to Mayor Richie Daley over Grant Park preservation and other issues. Amazingly, he's unopposed for re-election. Vote for him anyway.
43rd Ward (Lincoln Park): Hyde Parkers traditionally do not understand Lincoln Park's claims to political independence. I still don't. For the open seat, the Sun-Times likes Michele Smith, the Trib likes Tim Egan. I have no idea.
45th Ward (Northwest Side): Community activist John Arena is the best choice to fill what will be an empty seat and what has been a sleepy one. Both papers agree.
46th Ward (Uptown): I've known and followed incumbent Helen Shiller since she entered Chicago politics in the 1970s and have also followed some of the love-hate reactions she generates. She's stepping down after six (!) terms. Activist Emily Stewart is the best of the 11 candidates vying for the seat and has the most balanced view of development and affordable housing in a ward where this is *the* issue. Both papers agree.
47th Ward (Ravenswood/Lincoln Square): Ameya Pawer, 30, wasn't even born when Eugene Schulter was elected to his first of nine (!) terms as alderman of this now "hot" Northwest Side ward in 1975. After showing some vague stirrings of independence, Schulter decided at the last (filing) minute to retire, nurse his $860,000 campaign fund, and install a flunky. Pawer is sharp, tough, and honest. He'd make a modern alderman for a now modern ward. Both papers agree. (Tom's ward.)
49th Ward (Rogers Park): Alderman Joe Moore never seems to be able to make up his mind as to what he wants his function to be (remember the ban on foie gras?). But his heart is in the right place and a better place than his challenger. Maybe he'll be more focused in the new Council reality. Both papers agree.
50th Ward (West Rogers Park): Bernie Stone is the current holder of the Biggest Buffoon in the City Council title. He's long needed to go. Would that there were a unified campaign against him. The Sun-Times picks Debra L. Silverstein, a CPA and the wife of Stone foe State Senator Ira I. Silverstein. The Trib goes with architect and community activist Greg Brewer. Ahmed Khan from the ward's vibrant South Asian community is another, fresher challenger. Pick one of these three!
You have from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to vote at your local polling place on Tuesday. The election is officially non-partisan, no party declarations are noted or required, and there will be a run-off on April 5 for any offices where no candidate received at least 50 percent plus one vote of votes cast. I note newspaper editorial board endorsements in aldermanic races as they tend to do a good job there.
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