Next year, the Chicago City Council will be different. Jerry Morrison, Executive Director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), foresees a turnover of 15-20 aldermen, the largest in modern political history. New aldermen with different bases of political support will create a new council.

Already, Aldermen Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Mary Ann Smith (48th) have announced they won’t run for reelection. Jim Balcer (11th), Frank Olivo (13th), Ginger Rugai (19th), Ed Smith (28th), and Bernie Stone (50th) are rumored to be considering retirement. Most have served at least twenty years. These open seat elections automatically bring change.

In addition, Aldermen Bob Fioretti (2nd), Leslie Hairston (5th), Scott Waguespack (32nd), and Tom Allen (38th) are seriously considering running for mayor. Others are quietly dreaming of the opportunity.

The lesson of Alderman John Hoellen of the 47th Ward, who ran against Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1975, is that you can’t run successfully for reelection as alderman and mayor at the same time. Hoellen not only lost to Mayor Daley, he also lost his aldermanic seat to Eugene Schulter, who has served as alderman of that Northwest side ward ever since.

More new aldermen will fill these seats.

If Mayor Richard M. Daley decides to retire after 21 years on the job, a revolution in Chicago politics will occur. After his father, Richard J. Daley, died with no successor the chaotic mayoralties of Bilandic, Byrne, Washington, and Sawyer followed ­and major transformations transpired before the battle for power in Chicago was over.

Unions like SEIU, the Teamsters, and the Chicago Federation of Labor, which played such a major role in the 2007 aldermanic elections, have already begun targeting aldermen they would like to defeat and recruiting good candidates to beat incumbents. And in this anti-incumbent fervor, a number could be tossed out. The unions believe there are better issues and that incumbents who usually get campaign contributions from developers will have less money.

Coalitions of community organizations have issued a report card on City Chicago Government, which is available at their web site: http://www.chicagodgap.org. They give the city grades of D or D+ for criminal justice, ethics, economic development, and education; an F for housing policy. The only B was given in the area of the environment. Those organizations analyze the votes of the aldermen and provide information on conflicts of interests in their campaign contributions. Many community groups will align with the unions once again to challenge aldermen with whom they are dissatisfied.

This turmoil is also reflected in voting patterns in the Chicago City Council. There have been more divided votes, in which at least some aldermen have voted against the mayor’s administration, this summer than in previous years. The council has become restive. Long-time aldermen are calling it quits, dreaming of running for mayor, or running for cover from their constituents.

As Congressman Tip O’Neil famously said, all politics is local. Two examples: in the 43rd Ward, Democratic Committeewoman Michele Smith, who almost defeated Vi Daley in the last election, is the most likely to win the seat this time. Tim Egan, Tim Balinoff, Raphael Vargos, and others are considering giving it a try. But Michele has a considerable following, a proven track record as committeeman and the resources to win. She will be a stronger and much more independent than Alderman Vi Daley.

In the 46th Ward James Cappleman, who ran a strong race for alderman in 2007 and is the leading candidate in 2010, says on his web site: “The bottom line is this: residents of this ward - whether they live in a high-rise on the lake, in a homeless shelter, or in a new condo - deserve better. It’s time for a change. As your next alderman, I will make sure your concerns about public safety will be taken seriously and addressed; be accountable and transparent…; and make sure that economic and housing development responds to the broader needs of the community.”

Cappleman’s statement pretty much sums up the rhetoric of all candidates fighting for vacant seats or challenging incumbents and through these ward by ward battles, times will be a’ changing at city hall.

---

By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 11/23/2010 12:58 PM

Is Dan Balanoff running as an openly gay candidate or are his endorsements from Jay Deratany and Todd Connor intended to serve only as a "wink and a nudge" to LGBT voters in the ward?

---

By Carl from Lincoln Park
Posted: 11/09/2010 12:16 PM

Michele is in touch with the ward and the ward's needs. As Committeeman for the 43rd, she's made community involvement a priority through things like creation of the Clark Street Task Force, organizing citizens to address the commercial vacancies in the ward. Michele has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years, and will represent the ward with an independent mind and a focus on Lincoln Park's needs.

---

By FGFM from South Loop
Posted: 08/29/2010 11:26 AM

If Cappleman and his supporters can follow me around on the Internet, I can certainly go have a laugh at their pathetic displays. They certainly looked uncomfortable in front of the S & L Pantry Friday night!

---

By Roberta from Lakeview
Posted: 08/27/2010 6:01 PM

FGFM lives in the South Loop and he travels to the Northside to monitor a candidate outside his ward doing some event with neighbors? Hey, it's starting to sound weird to me.

---

By FGFM from South Loop
Posted: 08/26/2010 10:09 PM

I have a lot of respect for Dick Simpson, but I don't think that he's a flawless political prognosticator or that you have the ability to read his mind. Furthermore, my Uptown credentials are second to none given that I grew up there and my family has owned property in the area for decades. In any event, Cappleman's Caucasian Cavalcade drew a couple of dozen people tonight, so the bandwagon keeps rolling!

---

By Mike from 46th Ward
Posted: 08/26/2010 12:11 PM

More 46th Ward residents gave to Cappleman's campaign than any other candidate running in that ward. No other candidate comes close, which may be one of the reasons why Dick Simpson views Cappleman as the frontrunner. I think Simpson has more credibility than an Internet troll who is not from the South Loop.

---

By FGFM from South Loop
Posted: 08/25/2010 3:10 PM

About half of Cappleman's money came from himself or family connections along with five grand from a fellow I believe to be that right-wing yo60640 propagandist on Twitter, so it's not terribly impressive. Check out Smilin' Bob Fioretti's list if you want to see how a real player does it. Cappleman is having yet another of his "positive loitering" rallies this Thursday in an apparent response to last night's shooting, so we'll see if he can break that 2 digit barrier this time.

---

By Friend of Bob Fioretti from Western and Flournoy
Posted: 08/24/2010 10:38 PM

Alderman Fioretti's 2WDO is currently circulating petitions in the ward for re-election, please engage us if you see us, we want to hear your thoughts on building a better ward and city! 721 S. Western Ave Please join us at our Near West Side Social at Bar Ten Doors 1259 W. Taylor St Chicago on Thursday 8/28. 530 pm South Loop and Printer's Row -- Saturday morning Coffee and Canvas on behalf or the Democratic Party and our endorsed candidates with Alderman Fioretti.

---

By Mike from 46th Ward
Posted: 08/23/2010 5:44 PM

Cappleman was smart to make so many solid connections with residents, neighborhood organizations, and various elected officials over the years. Then again, he was doing that before he ever decided to run for public office. That's probably why this time around he was able to get so much money from ward residents without the benefit of a large loan from the wife of a Democratic committeeman. The others are playing catch up.

---

By FGFM's Granny from Uptown
Posted: 08/23/2010 5:36 PM

FGFM is absolutely right. That 47 percent of the vote Cappleman got last time was a fluke. Imagine, he did that with very little organization. Can you say Alderman Cappleman? Get used to it troll. Now go back to attacking Christopher Hitchens

---

By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 08/23/2010 3:01 PM

PART 4/4: A Run Down of the Dan Balanoff Biographic Video Clip on www.db43.com 71% of the video talks about his childhood, grandmother and school years a clear indication that he has not accomplished anything thus far in his career and is simply trying to trade on his family name. To top it all off, Balanoff’s campaign committee is "Balanoff for Illinois" clearly indicates that he is not quite focused on a serving in the city council.

---

By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 08/23/2010 3:00 PM

PART 3/4: A Run Down of the Dan Balanoff Biographic Video Clip on www.db43.com The video mentions a summer clerkship at the state’s attorney’s office and serving as “policy director” on Larry Suffredin’s losing campaign for state’s attorney to make it appear as though he has law & order credentials. - @ 6.5 minutes into the video we (finally) learn that he was (only recently) elected to a Lincoln Park H.S. local school council in 2010.

---

By David from Portage Park
Posted: 08/23/2010 1:35 PM

The 47th Ward is not on the northwest side. It goes from Clark St. to the river. If that is northwest, I guess only the beaches are on the north side. Also, 35 years ago someone ran for mayor and lost his seat. I am not sure we can extrapolate a "lesson" from that. That being said, Tom Allen is crazy if he thinks he can be mayor. I'm pretty sure that I have about as much name recognition as he does.

---

By FGFM from South Loop
Posted: 08/22/2010 10:30 AM

Cappleman didn't even get 10 people to turn out for his last exercise in "positive loitering" at Leland and Sheridan. So I'm not sure if he has the kind of following that will be willing to do the precinct work that will be needed to prevail against Nowotny. Until then, he'll just have to settle for being Alderman of the Internet. Phelan also seems to have access to a lot of dough, so it's possible that he'll come in third!

---

By Joe Lake from Bucktown
Posted: 08/21/2010 5:04 PM

For announced mayoral candidates (5), go to ChicagoNLA2011. More will be added as they announce. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChicagoNLA2011

---

By Ben from Lincoln Park
Posted: 08/20/2010 11:54 AM

I agree with Andy, James, and Robert. I don't think Michele has much of a chance considering her past antics and it's unlikely that Labor will support her the way they did in '07.

---

By Alderman Candidate Donielle Lawson from Lawndale
Posted: 08/20/2010 8:18 AM

I announced in March of 2010! I am excited about the 24th Ward. An educator who teaches at Cook County Jail... lawsonforlawndale.com

---

By Tim Egan from 43rd Ward
Posted: 08/20/2010 1:19 AM

Thank you for spelling my name correctly Mr. Simpson. TIM EGAN (website coming soon)

---

By Fred White from Chicago
Posted: 08/19/2010 6:13 PM

There are going to be many more Aldermen running that are being reported. I know of 30 thet are running in various wards. On my web site I started a "Help Wanted" section where I will be helping various people to run for Alderman. I have also heard through the grapevine that there will be from 6 to 12 different people in each ward running for Alderman. This is going to be a great election and a positive change for ALL CITIZENS OF CHICAGO.

---

By Fred White
Posted: 08/19/2010 6:09 PM

You want a Mayor who will act his age? Do you want HONEST OPEN GOVERNMENT? Lower Taxes? Better Schools? Then I will suggest that you visit my web site and review my platform and watch the 30 minute interview that appeared on “Chicago Clout”. I have been running since April of 2010, met over 20,000 people across Chicago, handed out over 10,000 business cards and 1000 flyer packets. My web site is full of GREAT IDEAS that will help out everyone in the City. http://www.Fredrick-K-White.com For

---

By Andy from Roe
Posted: 08/19/2010 10:13 AM

I agree with you both. Michele is not the answer unless we want to ensure more divisiveness in the ward for the next four years. By the way another correction; It's Rafael Vargas and his website is www.Vargas43.com.

---

By James Burling from Lincoln Park
Posted: 08/19/2010 9:38 AM

I completely agree, Michele is only out for herself...and also her chalengers names are Raphael Vargas (vargasfor43.com) and Dan Balanoff (DB43.com)

---

By Robert Kirkwood from Old Town
Posted: 08/19/2010 8:17 AM

Mr. Simpson's argument for the 43rd Ward is that Smith came in 2nd 4 years ago, the incumbent is retiring and ergo Smith is a 'shoo in'. It does not take into account what anyone living here already knows: Smith been very a divisive presence in 43 known only for her relentless pushy self-promotion, political career aspirations beyond the ward and opportunistic support of 'anti' niche causes for political gain. Vi Daley's supporters vehemently dislike her and people in general want a uniter.