Chicago

Aldermanic Runoff: 11th Ward

NBC Chicago and Ward Room bring you profiles on the 18 wards heading into a runoff election April 7. In this profile, learn all about the 11th Ward.

11th Ward – Patrick Daley Thompson vs. John Kozlar

Issues at Stake in Runoff:
An 11th Ward aldermanic candidate forum Jan. 25 focused on questions concerning the quality of public schools, an elected or appointed school board, aldermanic representation of the diversity of the ward, public safety, city services, noise pollution from a proposed heliport in Bridgeport, public transportation and constituency accessibility to the alderman.
 
Patrick Daley Thompson (campaign website)
 
Education: John Marshall Law School (J.D.), St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, St. Ignatius College Prep High School
 
Occupation: Commissioner of Cook County Water Reclamation District and partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella law firm
 
Endorsements: Chicago Tribune, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Sun-Times, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Senator Dick Durbin, Gazette, SEIU Illinois, Congressman Dan Lipinski, Water Reclamation District Commissioner Deb Shore, Chicago Federation of Labor, State Rep. Esther Golar, Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, Fraternal Order of Police, Senator Antonio Munoz, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, State Rep. Edward Acevedo, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, Chicago Pipefitters Local 597, City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Plumbers Local Union 130, City Clerk Susana Mendoza
 
Key Issues: Public safety, education, economic development, infrastructure, parks and recreation, the arts
 
John Kozlar (campaign website)
 
Education: John Marshall Law School, University of Chicago, Mount Carmel High School, Mark Sheridan Academy
 
Occupation: Law school student and president of Canaryville Little League (volunteer)
 
Endorsements: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Herald
 
Key Issues: Education, safety, taxes and city budget, jobs, rejuvenating dilapidated viaducts, heliport in Bridgeport, building community relationships
 
 
General information:
 
Voter Turnout on Feb. 24: 38 percent
 
How did they vote in the mayor’s race?
  • Rahm Emanuel: 48 percent
  • Jesus “Chuy” Garcia: 32 percent
  • Bob Fioretti: 14 percent
Demographics
  • Total population: 51,497
  • White: 37.3 percent
  • Black: 4.77 percent
  • Hispanic: 23.08 percent
  • Asian: 34.05 percent (Source: WBEZ)
Neighborhoods: Bridgeport, Armour Square, McKinley Park, Fuller Park, New City
 
Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Diverse, working/middle class, tightly knit
 
How Ward Typically Votes: James Balcer has been alderman of the 11th ward for 17 years, but he is retiring this year. In 2007, Balcer won 79 percent of the vote, defeating Carl Segvich. In 2011, Balcer won 61 percent of the vote, defeating John Kozlar (22 percent) and Segvich (16 percent). An interesting note about Bridgeport, which is contained in the 11th ward: Five Chicago mayors are from this neighborhood (Edward Joseph Kelly, Martin H. Kennelly, Richard J. Daley, Michael A. Bilandic and Richard M. Daley).
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