Wards to the wise, part 2

Café Colao in the 26th Ward

Plus:
• Part 1: The issues affecting voters in the 1st through 25th wards

26th Ward
Where is it? Humboldt Park
Why would you go there? Paseo Boricua, the stretch along Division marked by the huge steel Puerto Rican flags. The 1940s-era California Clipper lounge. Beautiful Humboldt Park itself, which will be home to the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, due to open in June.
What are people pissed about? Crime. Humboldt being called “West Bucktown” or “West Wicker Park.”
Who will rule the land? Former 1st Ward alderman Jesse Granato is up against incumbent Billy Ocasio. Since 1993, Ocasio has brought in more than 500 units of affordable housing and kept Division Street businesses in Latino hands; the corridor has gone from 70 percent vacant to 95 percent occupied. Our money’s on Ocasio.

27th Ward
Where is it? Greektown, Ukrainian Village, West Loop, Garfield Park
Why would you go there? For a concert or game at the United Center, and then to Byron’s Hot Dog Haus
What are people pissed about? Epic gentrification. The Cabrini-Green projects are slowly coming down, and residents mourn the loss of community and the reality that many won’t occupy the incoming mixed-income units.
Who will rule the land? Ald. Walter Burnett, of the ubiquitous bench ads for his public-access show. He’s from the ’hood, and focuses on affordable housing set-asides in his diverse ward.

28th Ward
Where is it? Garfield Park, Lawndale
Why would you go there? The Garfield Park Conservatory
What are people pissed about? Poor transit, potholes, few retail outlets
Who will rule the land? Ald. Ed Smith came in with Harold Washington and has been an independent voice on City Council. This may have cost his constituents some services, but he fights for them, and will be reelected.

29th Ward
Where is it? Austin, Belmont-Cragin
Why would you go there? To sled at Riis Park. Peach cobbler at Cathy’s Diner.
What are people pissed about? Loss of ER services at Bethany Hospital. Street-level drug sales, gang activity.
Who will rule the land? Isaac “Ike” Carothers is the man on the West Side. His domination of West Side politics is rivaled only by his loyalty to the mayor.

30th Ward
Where is it? Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Belmont-Cragin
Why would you go there? Ferndell’s Family Restaurant, Birrio Huentitan for tacos, and Bim Bom, a Polish metal bar on Belmont.
What are people pissed about? This gerrymandered ward’s map resembles a bicycle run over by a truck, so it’s difficult to coordinate services, like trash pickup and police response.
Who will rule the land? Jose Anthony Alvarez of the Chicago Housing Authority is qualified,but Ald. Ariel Reboyras has the infamous Hispanic Democratic Organization, and will likely reign.

31st Ward
Where is it? Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Belmont-Cragin
Why would you go there? For high-end Polish nightclubs like Jedynka
What are people pissed about? Ald. Regner “Ray” Suarez caught slack for not supporting the Balanced Development Ordinance.
Who will rule the land? Suarez brought in the first new high school in 25 years, but what will clinch the win is Joseph Berrios, Suarez’s committeeman. Berrios is the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Organization, the group that has dominated Chicago politics and is the reason the term Chicago Machine exists.

The elevated railway embankment of the Bloomingdale Line, which could one day be transformed into a recreational trail though the 1st, 26th, 32nd and 35th Wards.

32nd Ward
Where is it? Lakeview, Clybourn Corridor, Roscoe Village, Bucktown
Why would you go there? Kitschy boutiques and eateries. Maybe one day for the Bloomingdale Trail, a proposed park on an elevated railbed that also runs through the 1st, 26th and 35th Wards.
What are people pissed about? Cookie-cutter condos. Teardowns of historic buildings without notice.
Who will rule the land? Scott Waguespack, a local Democratic Party operative, was born in the ward and could trump Ald. Ted Matlak’s insider and cash advantages. Though weakened by an influx of politically apathetic newcomers, Matlak’s machinery is nothing to sneeze at.

33rd Ward
Where is it? Albany Park, Avondale
Why would you go there? The Persian fare of Noon o Kabob
What are people pissed about? The well-served ward—by an unfortunate accident of narrow road widths—has terrific traffic and parking problems.
Who will rule the land? Incumbent Richard F. Mell, father-in-law to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has ruled this land for 32 years, and will until the end of time.

34th Ward
Where is it? Roseland, West Pullman
Why would you go there? Bee Palmer—star of Ziegfeld Follies and inventor of the “shimmy dance”—is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery.
What are people pissed about? Lack of healthy food options
Who will rule the land? Ald. Carrie Austin angered organized labor by opposing the big-box living-wage; Bernard “B.K.” Kelly, a cop, has the support of the Fraternal Order of Police. Austin is favored, but we think her days are numbered.

Palmer Square in the 35th Ward

35th Ward
Where is it? Logan Square
Why would you go there? A few businesses, the boulevards, a $3 movie at Logan Square Theater.
What are people pissed about? Lots of new development, not enough affordable housing. The Logan Square Skate Park should be built this spring underneath I-90/94 at Logan Boulevard, but area skaters think the temporary components are a waste of money.
Who will rule the land? Vilma Colom lost to Rey Colón in 2004, and she’s back for a second try. Politically savvy residents have tired of Colón, and are backing state tollway manager Miguel Sotomayor. Between Colón’s even demeanor and Colom’s magnetism, it’ll be a race to watch.

36th Ward
Where is it? Far Northwest Side
Why would you go there? Belmont Avenue at Nagle Avenue is to the Polish what 26th Street is to the Mexicans.
What are people pissed about? There’s now funding for a new library, but it was a really long wait.
Who will rule the land? Ald. William J.P. Banks is chairman of the all-important City Council Zoning Committee. He also has secured funding for a $100 million redevelopment of the Brickyard Shopping Center. That and his electoral organization secure a win.

BORN AGAIN? Storefront churches in the 37th Ward

37th Ward
Where is it? Austin
Why would you go there? The city’s first Wal-Mart, at Kilpatrick and Grand Avenues. To “window-shop” at small storefront churches.
What are people pissed about? The 37th has seen some recent retail development, notably a strip at Cicero and North Avenues. Ald. Emma Mitts’s lack of willingness to ask Wal-Mart to ensure a living wage angered residents, but many also rallied to her side.
Who will rule the land? Community and labor groups couldn’t recruit a viable candidate, so Mitts is unopposed.

38th Ward
Where is it? Portage Park
Why would you go there? The Portage Park Center for the Arts in the old Nebo Church building.
What are people pissed about? Ald. Thomas Allen is known for cracking down on illegally converted rooming houses, but many of the offenders were immigrant Poles.
Who will rule the land? It’s largely Latino now, and Allen is unopposed.

39th Ward
Where is it? Old Irving Park, Albany Park
Why would you go there? Lingonberry pancakes at Tre Kronor
What are people pissed about? The fact that Ald. Margaret Laurino gets mentioned the least in the media?
Who will rule the land? Laurino cosponsored a resolution to investigate technology that would allow 911 callers to send cell-phone pictures and texts. She’s spearheaded many school and park improvements, so challenger Christopher Belz has an uphill battle.

40th Ward
Where is it? Rosehill, Edgewater
Why would you go there? To catach a glimpse of the smartypants at Northside College Prep
What are people pissed about? Edgewater Hospital had poor services before closing; now it’s just an eyesore.
Who will rule the land? Ald. Patrick O’Connor doesn’t have the rep of old-timers like Ed Burke (14th), but as Daley’s unofficial council-floor leader, he’s one of the most unbeatable alderman—and he’s unopposed.

41st Ward
Where is it? Far Northwest Side
Why would you go there? You secretly want to live in the suburbs, but still want to have a Chicago address.
What are people pissed about? Business owners are pissed about the smoking ban. The ward lies right at the city’s boundary, so patrons can just hop over to the suburban taverns to light up.
Who will rule the land? Brian Doherty, the only Republican on the City Council, surprisingly voted for the big-box living-wage ordinance. He has more pull in the community than his three challengers, including 23-year-old Michael Hannon, a financial analyst.

42nd Ward
Where is it? Loop, Near North, River North, River West, Gold Coast
Why would you go there? To gawk at the Trump Tower, splurge on the Mag Mile, pretend you’re rich.
What are people pissed about? If residents really cared, they’d complain about a lack of participation in development decisions as the Mayor treats the ward as a common area.
Who will rule the land? This may be the end of the line for longtime incumbent and City Council jester Burt Natarus, who dates back to the first Mayor Daley. His young and idealistic opponent, Brendan Reilly, has serious funding and an impressive campaign organization for a first-time challenger. Natarus only managed 56 percent against a single opponent in 2003.

43th Ward
Where is it? Lincoln Park
Why would you go there? Go for the zoo, stay for Oz Park’s sculptures of the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man, created by John Kearney.
What are people pissed about? Buying a condo for a park view just to have another condo go up and block it
Who will rule the land? So long as Lincoln Park is the city’s epicenter of high-end development, every sitting alderman will be endangered—including incumbent Vi Daley (no relation to the mayor). She faces a serious challenger in labor-backed Tim Egan. Former federal prosecutor Michele Smith has also raised enough money to take some of Daley’s votes.

44th Ward
Where is it? Lakeview
Why would you go there? Head shops, gay bars, restaurants, the Cubs.
What are people pissed about? New residents in Boystown who bitch about noise and racy window displays.
Who will rule the land? TomTunney is gay, popular and unopposed.

45th Ward
Where is it? Portage Park
Why would you go there? To catch a movie at the newly renovated Portage Theater or the LaSalle Bank Cinema.
What are people pissed about? Money from a Jefferson Park TIF fund, intended for neighborhood improvements, was allegedly used to acquire plots to sell to developers.
Who will rule the land? The controversy may have inspired Ald. Patrick Levar to skip an aldermanic forum to call bingo at a senior-citizen center. Terry Boyke, Robert Bank and Anna Klocek will make it a good race.

46th Ward
Where is it? Uptown, Buena Park
Why would you go there? The Green Mill, the Aragon Ballroom, the Riviera; the vacant Uptown Theatre, has attracted some potential buyers .
What are people pissed about? Subpar public services. The proposed retail/residential Wilson Yard development. If you’re a new condo owner, the halfway houses.
Who will rule the land? James Cappleman has the support of anti-Helen Shiller activists who started www.whatthehelen.com. But Shiller has always pushed for social services, and has cred in this progressive ward.

47th Ward
Where is it? Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village
Why would you go there? Beer and brats at German-American Fest
What are people pissed about? Ald. Gene Schulter keeps the neighborhood clean and makes sure the trash is picked up, but development pressures have soured some.
Who will rule the land? It used to be a Republican stronghold until Democratic Party Committeeman Ed Kelly transformed it into one of the highest-turnout Democratic wards in the city. Schulter has ruled ever since.

The shuttered Uptown Theatre in the 48th Ward

48th Ward
Where is it? Edgewater, Andersonville
Why would you go there? The bell tower at St. Ita’s Catholic Church
What are people pissed about? No parking due to retail-packed Clark Street, and multifamily apartments.
Who will rule the land? Ald. Mary Ann Smith successfully wiped any opponents off the ballot.

49th Ward
Where is it? East Rogers Park
Why would you go there? The Heartland Café. The Morseland.
What are people pissed about? Ald. Joe Moore appears to care more about foie gras than crime and affordable housing.
Who will rule the land? Three competent challengers could cause a run-off in April.

50th Ward
Where is it? West Rogers Park
Why would you go there? Indian food on Devon
What are people pissed about? Halted plans for a bridge on the North Branch Channel Trail
Who will rule the land? Ald. Bernard Stone has been in office for 34 years, but faces a fight from labor-backed Greg Brewer, businessman Salman Aftab and Naisy Dolar of the city’s Commission on Human Relations.

Check out “Wards to the wise, part 1”.