47th Ward Aldermanic Election: Candidates Preview

CHICAGO — The 47th Ward is one of the most contested in Chicago — rivaled only by the 20th Ward, both of which have nine candidates. Residents in North Center, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood and Uptown will be voting for their top pick Feb. 26, and many have already marked their ballots during the early voting period.

The nine 47th Ward candidates are vying to replace outgoing Ald. Ameya Pawar, who is running for treasurer after serving two terms in the ward.

The city council is responsible for adopting the city budget and levying taxes. It's also tasked with creating and amending city laws, policies and ordinances.

47th Ward endorsements:

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board: Matt Martin;

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board: Michael Negron.

47th Ward candidates:

Eileen Dordek is a social worker who has lived in the 47th Ward for 22 years. She said her work has "opened her eyes to the importance of advocacy" in all levels of policymaking. Dordek serves on the boards of Personal PAC and Equality Illinois. She is the commissioner for the 10th District’s Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues, a member of the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and a committee member of Women Leaders in Business. Her priorities include improving housing, healthcare and education in Chicago. Dordek and her husband, Chris, live in Lincoln Square with their two teenagers.

Jeff Jenkins is a small business owner who has lived in the 47th Ward for nearly two decades. He and his wife co-founded the nonprofit Midnight Circus in the Parks, a program that has raised $300,000 for 47th Ward parks. Jenkins said some of his top priorities have included fully funding neighborhood schools, balancing zoning and development, public safety and government accountability and transparency. He's worked with many local organizations in various capacities, including Friends of Amundsen and the North Center Neighborhood Association. He's also a co-founder and lead trainer in the Humane Society's End Dogfighting Campaign. Jenkins lives near Welles Park with his wife, Julie, and their two children.

Gus Katsafaros is a tradesman and entrepreneur who was born in the 47th Ward. Before he opened the restaurant Marmalade in North Center, he worked as an electrician and founded Capital Mortgage and Financial services, Capital Realty and Southside Realty, which provided home loans and affordable housing for Chicago residents. Katsafaros said he's committed to strengthening neighborhood safety, making sure TIF money goes to local schools, keeping taxes down and fighting climate change. Katsafaros has sponsored local events for many schools, Common Pantry, the “I Am Your Neighbor” fundraiser, CAPs meetings, North Center Chamber of Commerce, Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Heartland Alliance.

Kimball Ladien is a psychiatrist and has practiced medicine for more than two decades. He's currently one of 20 doctors at Presence St. Joseph Hospital who specialize in Psychiatry. Ladien has also served as Medical Director at St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, and The Chair of Psychiatry at Grant Hospital in Chicago. He wrote the book, "Safe Haven," which includes solutions for his top issues: reducing gang violence, crime, joblessness and drug abuse.

Angie Maloney is a teacher with Chicago Public Schools. She is also a mother, a musician and a social activist. Her priorities include improving schools, reforming the TIF system and restructuring the school board. Maloney is also focused on maintaining neighborhood safety, infrastructure and a strong network of small businesses.

Matt Martin is an attorney at the Illinois Attorney General's Office, where he focuses on issues including police reform, workers' rights, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and immigration. Through his work, he helped draft the consent decree to hold the city accountable in reforming the police department. He co-founded the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association and served on Pawar’s Zoning Advisory Council. Martin's priorities include fully funding schools, affordable housing and police reform. He lives in Lincoln Square with his wife, Katelyn, and his son.

Michael Negron has been Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chief of Policy for more than five years. Negron worked for Barack Obama's presidential campaign from 2007 until his election, and then went on to work as a staffer for Elizabeth Warren and serve in the Obama Administration. Then in 2011, he returned to Chicago to work for Emanuel. Negron's priorities include investment in neighborhood schools, improving parks and infrastructure and enhancing public safety. Negron lives in North Center with his wife, Coral, and their two children.

Thomas Schwartzers is a former CPD officer and current firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department. He's part of several community organizations and has volunteered at Animal Care and Control, at street festivals and in community events. His central priorities include solving the city's unfunded pension liabilities, lowering crime levels and halting tax increases.

Heather Way Kitzes spent 13 years as the executive director for the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, and has spent the past four years working as Manager of Neighborhood Relations for the Chicago Cubs. Her priorities include improving neighborhood safety, public parks and schools. Way Kitzes lives in Ravenswood with her husband, David, and their two children.

For more information on voting in the city's municipal election, click here.

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Images via 47th Ward candidates' campaigns.