For 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osternman, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Elected to City Council last March, Osterman occupies the seat once filled by his mother Kathy.
Background:
A former state representative, Osterman was a champion of gun control rights, gay rights and campaign finance. He led the fight to close a gun-show loophole and worked to secure grants for more security cameras near CTA stops and Cease Fire violence intervention while in Springfield. He also worked to pass civil union legislation.
The Ward:
Osterman represents the 48th Ward which includes the majority of Edgewater, Andersonville, and parts of Lincoln Park. Similar to many of the North Side wards, the 48th is considered rather diverse. Swedes, Koreans, Lebanese and Mexicans populate the ward and it includes one of Chicago's largest gay and lesbian communities.
The Office:
A sudden jump in the number of shootings and violent crimes has made safety a priority for the alderman 48th Ward. During his campaign, Osterman pledged to focus on public safety and stand up to city officials who wanted to move police out of the area to those with higher crime rates. "There are parts of the ward that are teetering on the edge, and that's going to make the crime situation worse," said Osterman. Aside from that, Osterman is focused on building on the diverse blend of locally owned stores and restaurants that give the uptown ward its reputation as one of the trendiest in the city.
