NBC Chicago and Ward Room bring you profiles on all 50 wards this election season. As candidates face off in the Feb. 24 election, they are also facing a new ward map, which takes effect when the winners assume office.
In this profile, learn all about the 38th ward, which covers parts of Portage Park and Dunning.
Demographic
- Total Population: 56,001
- White: 69.20 percent
- Black: 1.04 percent
- Hispanic: 24.43 percent
- Asian: 4.65 percent (Source: WBEZ)
Current Alderman: Timothy Cullerton
Ward Committeemen: Patricia Cullerton (democratic committeeman), Kevin White (republican committeeman) and Mike Karijolich (Green Party committeeman)
Who Else is Running: Belinda Cadiz, Tom Caravette, John Cianci (removed), Michael Duda, Carmen Hernandez, Mike Keeney (removed), Jerry Paszek, Heather Sattler and Nicholas Sposato. Cullerton is not running for re-election; he is retiring.
Chicago Politics
Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Quiet, residential and community-oriented
Economic Engine: Wilbur Wright College and local businesses and restaurants
Where People Eat: Restaurants include Umami Sushi, Lonnie's Pizzeria, Bob-o's Hot Dogs, Caponies Trattoria, New England Inn, La Parilla Colombian Steak House, The Portage, Broiler's Flip, Panciteria Mabuhay and Cassianas.
Where People Drink: Bars include Second Time Around, The Brewery, O K Pub, Touch of Europe, Casual Tap, Cabaret and Club Belmont.
Where People Pray: Churches and places of worship include Faith Community Presbyterian Church, Forest Preserve Bible Church, Spiritualist Church of Truth, St. Pascal, Polish Jesuit Fathers, St. John of Rila Bulgarian Church, Montrose Baptist Church, Romanian Seventh Day Adventist and St. Priscilla Catholic Church.
How the Ward Typically Votes: The alderman of the 38th ward has typically been from a political familiy, including former Ald. Thomas Allen (1993 to 2011) and current Ald. Timothy Cullerton. Allen ran unopposed in 2007. In 2011, Cullerton won 60 percent of the vote, defeating Tom Caravette in a runoff.
Landmark: Read Dunning Memorial Park, the site of a former insane asylum, tuberculosis hospital and cook County Almshouse. In the last 25 years, several bodies have been discovered buried here and elsewhere in Dunning without a grave.
Resident's Voice: Pedro Villegas, an employee at Leadbelly and a four-year resident of the ward, said he would like to see more restaurants and bars, but otherwise he can't complain about the community.
Ward Expert: Melissa Kaszynski, Dunning resident, manager of the Dunning branch of the Chicago Public Library and member of the Dunning Neighborhood Organization.
