13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn
Political sands shifting
Lopez mayoral exit leaves question marks
By Tim Hadac
The political sands of mayoral politics shifted last week, leaving many in Clearing and Garfield Ridge asking “What next?” questions.
Garfield Ridge native Lopez worked the neighborhoods hard since he announced his mayoral candidacy back in April.
His law-and-order stance and sharp criticism of Mayor Lori Lightfoot appeared to endear him to many in a part of Chicago angry over what some describe as out-of-control crime.
But with Lopez withdrawing in favor of running for re-election as an alderman, some who supported him have started shopping for like-minded mayoral candidates.
That may be a tall order with the field of candidates largely populated by political liberals who don’t appear to have crime fighting at the top of their to-do list.
One who may stand out is former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, who has openly courted Lopez supporters in the last week.
“Alderman Raymond Lopez has been voicing two things foremost in the minds of people across the city — fear of the rampant crime plaguing all of our communities, and Lightfoot’s incompetence in addressing them,” Vallas said on social media. “I appreciate his direct approach, especially around the need to support Chicago’s understaffed and overworked first responders.”
That may play well in Clearing and Garfield Ridge, which have relatively high numbers of law enforcement families, as well as a strong number of city workers.
On the other hand, in the mayoral election of 2019, candidate Lori Lightfoot won every precinct in Clearing and Garfield Ridge, in her one-on-one battle with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. While the mayor’s supporters in the area are not vocal, they will doubtless show up to the polls on Feb. 28 and vote for Lightfoot, who is running for a second term.
Who will be supported by the area’s two aldermen, Marty Quinn (13th) and Silvana Tabares (23rd), remains to be seen. Tabares had thrown her political lot in with Lopez, but has not recently said anything about the race going forward. Quinn, much like his political mentor (former Illinois House Speaker and current 13th Ward Democratic Committeeman Michael J. Madigan), is keeping his views close to his vest, at least for now.
Other candidates in the race include Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th), businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson, State Rep. Kam Buckner, Ald. Sophia King, Ald. Roderick Sawyer and activist Ja’Mal Green.
Neighborhood races taking shape
In the 13th Ward, Quinn filed his nominating petitions promptly on Nov. 21, the first day candidates could file.
Also filing on the first day was Garfield Ridge resident Paul Bruton, a former employee of the Chicago Office of the Inspector General.
Two other candidates who have announced but had not yet filed as of last Thursday were Garfield Ridge resident Jason Pullappilly, a CPD detective running as an advocate of public safety; and Clearing resident Paul “Paulino” Villarreal Jr., who lost a head-to-head race to Tabares in 2019, when he lived in the 23rd Ward. Villarreal owns a private security firm headquartered on Archer Avenue.
In the 23rd Ward, as of last Thursday, only Tabares had filed petitions. West Lawn community activist, a member of Madigan’s political organization who had announced his candidacy, had not yet filed.
Exactly who files nominating petitions next month and exactly who survives the nearly inevitable legal challenges remains to be seen. But the next 100 days are certain to bring a flurry of political activity in Clearing and Garfield Ridge.
Also on the ballot are candidates running for police councils created as a result of police reform legislation passed by the City Council last year. There will be a council in each district. Clearing and Garfield Ridge are part of the Chicago Lawn (8th) District.
Filing petitions last week for the council was Garfield Ridge resident Al Cacciottolo, a Streets and Sanitation official who also serves as president of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch; Scottsdale resident Jason Huff, a city Department of Finance supervisor who also serves as president of the Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch; and Mark Hamberlin, an Ashburn resident who describes himself as a Teamsters Local 781 steward and a referee of youth sports on the Southwest Side.
Local News
Community pride is flying high
Spread the love. By Patti Tyznik Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com . It’s a “banner day” in Garfield Ridge! If you take a look around the neighborhood, you’ll see brand new Garfield Ridge community signs hanging from the light posts running along Archer. What a wonderful way to highlight…
Softball | Mother McAuley seeks to right ship
Spread the loveFrom Staff Reports The 2024 season is off to an uneven and somewhat rocky start for Mother McAuley. The Mighty Macs opened the spring with consecutive losses — 9-3 to Oak Forest on March 11 and 18-1 to Benet on March 13 — before getting off the schneid with an 18-1 win over…
Boys Basketball | Players from Evergreen Park and Brother Rice to ball at prospect showcase
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Five players from the area have been invited to play on the South Suburban Team at the Illinois Hoop Prospect Senior All-Star Games scheduled to be played March 24 at Joliet Junior College. Brother Rice’s Zavier Fitch and Ty Wooten join Evergreen Park’s Nolan Sexton, Marist’s Darshan Thomas and…
Girls Basketball | George Shimko takes reins for Mustangs
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent One longtime area basketball coach will succeed another at Evergreen Park. George Shimko, who brought success to the girls basketball programs at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence, has been named the new girls hoops coach at Evergreen Park. He will succeed Bruce Scaduto, who retired after 27 years…
De La Salle tabs Harold Blackmon as next football coach
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A pair of familiar coaches from the area have landed in new spots. Harold Blackmon, who has been head football coach at St. Laurence and Oak Lawn, has been named coach at De La Salle. George Shimko, a former girls basketball coach at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence,…
Red Stars, rugby will highlight big weekend at SeatGeek
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Things will get busy in Bridgeview this weekend. The Chicago Fire II will host its season opener against Toronto FC II at 6 p.m. Friday, March 22 at SeatGeek Stadium. The following day, the Chicago Red Stars make their 2024 home debut against Seattle at 3 p.m. Rugby invades…
Red Stars Report | Cooks provide recipe for success in Red Stars’ win over Utah
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Lorne Donaldson era is already Cook-ing. The new Chicago Red Stars coach enjoyed a victory in his debut with a 2-0 triumph over Utah in the NWSL season-opener for both teams on March 16 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The game was the first in franchise…
College Sports Wrap | Morton College OF Angelo Luna slugs two grand slams in one day
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area college baseball sluggers had a grand time on March 16. Former St. Laurence standout Angelo Luna, a sophomore outfielder at Morton College, hit two grand slams and drove in 10 runs over two games as the Panthers beat Highland, 7-3 and 18-5, in a doubleheader at home. Luna…
College Notebook | Ex-Mount Carmel wrestler Sergio Lemley takes fourth in Big Ten
Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent One reason the Michigan wrestling team has been successful this season is freshman Sergio Lemley. At the Big Ten tournament, Lemley won three of his five matches to finish fourth at 141 pounds. The Wolverines placed second with 123.5 points behind conference champion Penn State (170.5). In the consolation…
Softball | Sandburg tops Richards, Crete-Monee to begin rebound season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent With a blank slate, unblemished record and all goals still theoretically intact, beginning of the season for any sports team offers — if nothing else — hope. Teams are looking to start fresh and either rebound from a season that failed to meet expectations, or build on the success…
Neighbors
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…
Capitol Briefs: Pritzker executive order creates advisory council for affordable sickle cell treatment
DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed an order to create an advisory council to examine how Illinois’ Medicaid program can help cover costs of emerging gene therapies that effectively treat sickle cell disease and other rare disorders. About 5,000 Illinoisans live with sickle cell disease, a gene defect most…
Illinois high court asked to review law limiting venue in constitutional challenges
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to decide on the constitutionality of a new state law that says constitutional challenges to state laws and actions can only be filed in Cook or Sangamon counties. Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office on Monday filed an appeal directly…
Diversity, judicial appointments at issue in 1st District Supreme Court race
By HANNAH MEISEL DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The race for one of the seven Illinois Supreme Court seats pits an appointed incumbent against a second-time candidate as the two Democrats vie for their party’s nomination next week. Because no Republican has filed to run for the Cook County-based seat, it’s…
Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors took questions from a legislative panel Thursday on his proposals to generate another $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing…
Diversity, judicial appointments at issue in 1st District Supreme Court race
By HANNAH MEISEL DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The race for one of the seven Illinois Supreme Court seats pits an appointed incumbent against a second-time candidate as the two Democrats vie for their party’s nomination next week. Because no Republican has filed to run for the Cook County-based seat, it’s…
Bailey vs. Bost congressional race among GOP primaries to watch
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The March 19 primaries in Illinois may seem anticlimactic to those who are only interested in presidential politics. Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump sewed up their nominations a full week before polls even opened in the Prairie State. But further down…
Candidate Q&A: Cunningham, Reyes make pitch for Supreme Court seat
Compiled by Capitol News Illinois There’s one contested primary for an Illinois Supreme Court seat on the March 19 ballot, with appointed incumbent Justice Joy Cunningham facing challenger and 1st District Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes. The 1st District race is for one of three Cook County seats and one of seven spots on the…
Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors took questions from a legislative panel Thursday on his proposals to generate another $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing…
House panel opens hearings on Pritzker’s health insurance reforms
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A panel of Illinois lawmakers began hearing testimony Wednesday on Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposals for sweeping changes in the state’s health insurance industry. The changes, which Pritzker first unveiled in his State of the State address in February, would limit the ability of companies to deny…