Aldermanic Runoff: 2nd 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 2nd Ward.

2nd Ward – Brian Hopkins vs. Alyx S. Pattison

Issues at Stake in Runoff:

Leah Root, president of the Wicker Park Committee, says red light and speed cameras, schools, city services (especially on “neglected 2nd Ward streets” such as Blackhawk, Bosworth, Greenview and Noble), property and other tax hikes, dwindling parking spaces, debt, pension problems, city government accountability, and crime management are issues the community are most concerned with. Specifically with crime management, Root says the apartment building of one of the committee’s board members has been the target of at least three or four burglaries in the past year - something that has only happened once in the previous four years - and that there has been a “very noticeable” crime spike on their block. According to Root, most members of the committee feel that voter turnout in the community for the runoff will be higher than last month’s election, especially within the Wicker Park community as “people realize they can make a difference with this vote.”

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Brian Hopkins (campaign website)

Education: Governor’s State University (graduate work), University of Illinois at Springfield (B.S., Political Science), Moraine Valley Community College, Chicago Christian School, Carl Sandburg High School

Occupation: Chief of Staff, Cook County Commissioner John Daley

Endorsements: Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle; Sheriff Tom Dart, Treasurer Maria Pappas; Commissioners John P. Daley and Jeff Tobolski; U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley; State Senators Kwame Raoul and Antonio Munoz; Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza; 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly; Laborer’s District Council of Chicago; Chicago Latino PAC; Gun Violence Prevention PAC Illinois; Illinois Restaurant Association; Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association

Key Issues: Community involvement and development, crime, North Lake Shore Drive corridor

Alyx S. Pattison (campaign website)

Education: University of Utah (B.A., political science and communications), Northwestern University School of Law (J.D.)

Occupation: Attorney

Endorsements: Chicago Tribune; Chicago Sun-Times; Senator Dick Durbin; Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky and Cheri Bustos; State Senators Heather Steans and Daniel Biss; Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Curri; State Representatives Elaine Neikritz and Mike Zalewski; 48th Ward Committeeman Carol Ronen; Planned Parenthood Illinois; Gun Violence Prevention PAC; SEIU Local 1; Citizen Action Illinois; National Association of Women Business Owners; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31

Key Issues: Crime and safety, education, plan for reform, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) investments, fiscal responsibility, jobs and the economy, tourism, strengthening small businesses.

General information:

Voter Turnout on Feb. 24: 32 percent

How did they vote in the mayor’s race?

Rahm Emanuel: 64 percent
Jesus “Chuy” Garcia: 23 percent

Demographics

Total Population: 55,805
White: 76.51 percent
Black: 6 percent
Hispanic: 9.36 percent
Asian: 7.33 percent (Source: WBEZ)

Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Gold Coast, Old Town, Bucktown

Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Geographically, this ward is odd-shaped and covers parts of several different communities due to gerrymandering over the years. Other adjectives are upper class, relatively homogenous, family-oriented and young.

How Ward Typically Votes: Mayoral candidate and former alderman Bob Fioretti was first elected in 2007. He won 66 percent of the vote, defeating Madeline Haithcock in a runoff. In 2011, Fioretti won 55 percent of the vote, defeating Genita Robinson (31 percent) and four other challengers.