The 2019 Chicago aldermanic election took place in two rounds on February 26 and April 2, 2019, to elect 50

aldermen An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law with similar officials existing in the Netherlands (wethouder) and Belgium (schepen). The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking membe ...

to the

Chicago City Council The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the Law and government of Chicago, government of the Chicago, City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 alderpersons elected from 50 Wards of the United States, wards to serve four-year t ...

. Each alderman represents one of Chicago's 50 wards. The elections are non-partisan and use a

two-round system The two-round system (TRS or 2RS), sometimes called ballotage, top-two runoff, or two-round plurality, is a single-winner electoral system which aims to elect a member who has support of the majority of voters. The two-round system involves one ...

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 In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...

, 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

Election calendar

For candidates

For voters

North Side

1st ward

Incumbent alderman Proco Joe Moreno unsuccessfully sought reelection. Moreno had been appointed alderman in 2010 by Mayor

Richard M. Daley Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is an American politician who served as the 54th mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1989 to 2011. Daley was elected mayor in 1989 and was reelected five times until declining to run for a seventh ter ...

, 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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

white supremacist White supremacy is the belief that white people are superior to those of other races. The belief favors the maintenance and defense of any power and privilege held by white people. White supremacy has roots in the now-discredited doctrine ...

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer in 2019 congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

2016 2016 was designated as: * International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. * International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...

, and

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

; 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

Two write-in candidates filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 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

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 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

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

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

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Results

43rd ward

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

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate 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

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

Results

46th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman James Cappleman won reelection, defeating Marianne Lalonde in a runoff by a margin of only 25 votes (0.09% of the votes cast in the runoff).

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed: * Joann Breivogel * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

Results

47th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Ameya Pawar did not seek reelection as alderman, opting to instead run (unsuccessfully) for

City Treasurer of Chicago The city treasurer of Chicago is an elected official of the City of Chicago. Current occupant The current city treasurer of Chicago is Democratic Party (United States), Democrat Melissa Conyears. Conyears was elected by Chicago citizens on April ...

. Matt Martin was elected to succeed him, defeating Michael Negron in a runoff.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Campaign

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate * Bill Morton Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
Bill Morton
, president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce
Nathan Ben Myers

Campaign

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 A charter school is a school that receives government funding but operates independently of the established state school system in which it is located. It is independent in the sense that it operates according to the basic principle of autono ...

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 (Hadden supported one; Moore did not), funding for a new police training facility (Moore supported the ongoing proposal; Hadden did not), and use of tax-increment financing for the proposed Lincoln Yards project (Moore was in favor; Hadden was opposed). 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 (and former Moore intern) of espionage.

Endorsements

Results

50th ward

Incumbent second-term alderman Debra Silverstein won reelection.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification: * Majid Mustafa

Endorsements

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

in 2009, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011 and 2015.

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate * Mirko "Limo Mike Z" Zaplatic, Jr Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:
Angee Gonzalez
*Mirko "Limo Mike Z." Zaplatic Jr.

Endorsements

Results

30th ward

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

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

Endorsements

Runoff

Results

33rd ward

Incumbent alderman Deb Mell unsuccessfully sought reelection. Mell had first been appointed by Mayor

Rahm Emanuel Rahm Israel Emanuel (; born November 29, 1959) is an American politician, advisor, diplomat, and former investment banker who most recently served as List of ambassadors of the United States to Japan, United States ambassador to Japan from 2022 ...

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate The following candidates submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process: * Joel Zawko

Endorsements

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 Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (born February 18, 1989) is an politics of the United States, American politician and the incumbent superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. He previously served as Alderperson for Chicago's 35th Ward from May 2015 ...

was reelected, defeating Amanda Yu Dieterich, his sole challenger.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures: * Mayra Gonzalez *Walter Zarnecki, Republican Party nominee for Cook County Board Commissioner for the 8th district

Endorsements

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Results

38th ward

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

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

Endorsements

Results

39th ward

Incumbent alderman Margaret Laurino did not run for reelection. Laurino had first been appointed by Mayor

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: * Mary K. Hunter * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

Endorsements

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

Results

45th ward

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

Candidates

Two write-in candidates filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate * Jose Munoz

Endorsements

Results

West Side

22nd ward

Incumbent alderman Ricardo Muñoz did not run for reelection. Muñoz had first been appointed by Mayor

in 1993, and had been subsequently reelected six times. Michael D. Rodriguez was elected to succeed him.

Candidates

One write-in candidate filed: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate

Endorsements

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: *Patricia "Pat" Marshall Adams * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

; 1998 State House candidate; 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures: * Edward Ward
Patricia Marshall
, non-profit founder and manager, community activist and organizer One candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification: * Larry Nelson, Republican Committeeman for the 24th Ward

Endorsements

Results

25th ward

Incumbent alderman Danny Solis did not run for reelection. Solis had first been appointed by Mayor

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: * Richard Benedict Mayers, perennial candidate and alleged

, write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019; congressional candidate in 2000, 2002,

, and

;