Voters fire 3 aldermen, put another 10 on notice

Residents vote in the Chicago municipal election at Ike Sims Village, 3333 W. Maypole Ave., Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Three aldermen were handed their walking papers on Tuesday, and voters in another 14 wards pushed candidates into April runoffs.

Losing outright on Tuesday were Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno in the Near Northwest Side’s 1^st Ward, Ald. John Arena in the Northwest Side’s 45^th Ward and Ald. Joe Moore in the North Side’s 49^th Ward.

Incumbents who appeared headed for runoffs included Ald. Leslie Hairston (5^th), Ald. Ray Lopez (15^th), Ald. Toni Foulkes (16^th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21^st), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30^th), Ald. Milagros Santiago (31^st), Ald. Deb Mell (33^rd), Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40^th), Ald. Michele Smith (43^rd) and Ald. James Cappleman (46^th).

Signs for 33rd Ward aldermanic rivals Deb Mell and Rossana Rodriguez are seen side by side in Horner Park on Feb. 26, 2019. | Max Herman/For the Sun-Times

Runoffs were also expected in the open seat battles in the 20^th, 25^th, 39^th, 47^th wards.

The runoffs in the double-digits are not unusual over the past few election cycles. Four years ago, 18 aldermanic contests went into April runoffs. And in 2011, the number was 14; 12 in 2007. But there were only five in 2003.

But three incumbents losing in the first round is higher than normal. Four years ago, only one incumbent — Ald. Rey Colon (35^th) — lost in February, although another six were ousted in April.

On Tuesday, challenger Daniel La Spata beat Moreno, 61 percent to 39 percent. Jim Gardiner beat Arena, 51.8 percent to 35.4 percent. And Maria Hadden beat Moore, 63.8 percent to 36.8 percent.

Incumbents who appeared to barely escape runoffs included Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6^th), Ald. George Cardenas (12^th), Roberto Maldonado (26^th).