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 2nd ward, which covers parts of the Near North Side, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Gold Coast, Old Town and Bucktown.
Demographic
- Total Population: 55,805
- White: 76.51 percent
- Black: 6 percent
- Hispanic: 9.36 percent
- Asian: 7.33 percent (Sources: WBEZ)
Current Alderman: Bob Fioretti
Ward Committeemen: Bob Fioretti (democratic committeeman)
Who Else is Running: Bita Buenrostro, Brian Hopkins, Steve Niketopoulos, Alyx Pattison, Stacey Pfingsten and Cornell Wilson. Note: Fioretti is not running again because he will no longer live in the 2nd ward when the new boundaries take effect in February. Fioretti is running for mayor instead.
Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Geographically, this ward 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.
Chicago Politics
Predominant Economic Engine: Restaurants, coffee shops, bars, pubs and retail
Where People Eat: Restaurants include Cafe Iberico, Table Fifty-Two, Piece Brewery and Pizzeria, Pequod's, Briciola, Enoteca Roma, The Southern, Seadog Sushi Bar and The Monkey's Paw.
Where People Drink: Bars include Goose Island Brewing Co., Fatpour Tap Works, Maeve, The Hideout, Hangge Uppe, Dave and Buster's, Exit and Louie's Pub.
Where People Pray: The Moody Church, St. Vincent DePaul, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, and Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
How the Ward Typically Votes: 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.
Landmark: The Drake Hotel
Resident's Voice: Dirk Fucik, the owner of Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop in Lincoln Park, says he's pretty happy with how things are now in the ward, and he doesn't think it needs significant change. He said he is curious to see how the old industrial parts of Lincoln Park will be developed, however.
Expert in the Ward: It's difficult to pin down an expert in this ward because the boundaries have changed significantly over the years, and former 2nd ward communities are now in different wards.
