Ald. Suarez Could Be Ousted After 24 Years

It appeared early Wednesday that Chicago's vice mayor is out of a job.

After serving in the Chicago City Council since 1991, Ald. Ray Suarez trailed in his race against Milly Santiago in the 31st Ward. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Suarez held 49.2 percent of the vote to Santiago's 50.8 percent with a margin of only 131 votes. 

Suarez said he would wait for absentee ballots to be counted before conceding, but Santiago declared victory late Tuesday.

"Our attorneys will be involved. . . . This will not be decided tonight," he told supporters.

Although Suarez has 24 years of experience as alderman, Santiago received key endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 31st Ward sits in a steadily gentrifying part of Chicago, covering parts of Hermosa, Belmont-Cragin and Logan Square. Among the key issues in this contested election were safety and education.

Suarez was supported by Emanuel's "Chicago Forward" campaign organization.

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