Share this... Pinterest Linkedin Rogers Park residents attended watch parties to keep up with the aldermanic elections as results were tallied. Newcomer Maria Hadden defeated 28-year incumben Joe Moore in a highly anticipated aldermanic election for the 49th ward, representing residents of Rogers Park, Edgewater and West Ridge. Hadden’s supporters gathered at a venue called Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse Ave.) to watch as election results poured in. While the venue’s DJ played 2000s R&B music, attendees cheered at each precinct’s update and Hadden’s growing lead. As the final votes were counted, Hadden — who was leading by nearly 30 percent — gave a celebratory speech before joining her supporters in the crowd. “This is a better win, more decisive than I think we could have hoped for,” Hadden told The Phoenix. “I think all the work and all the community effort and energy that went into this — we got the win we deserved.” Hadden’s parents attended the watch party, expressing pride at their daughter’s success. “I think it’s just in her blood, it’s what she likes to do and she just does it,” Maria’s father, Skip Hadden, told The Phoenix. Her mother, Norma Hadden, recalled leadership roles Hadden took on growing up. “She has always been there,” her mother said. “I can remember, as an elementary student, rallying and mentoring people on the playground.” Community members and students of all ages attended the watch party, many excited to be a part of the political process in the community. Nick Boyle and Michael Lachenmeyer, both 20-year-old sophomores at Loyola, have been working on Hadden’s campaign since the fall through Indivisible Loyola — a grassroots activist organization comprised of Loyola students but not affiliated with the university — which they co-founded in mid-September 2018. “We came here tonight because every Saturday we’ve been canvassing for Maria, organizing phone banks on her behalf,” Boyle, a political science major, said. “I support Hadden because I believe she’s going to be a fighter for the 49th [ward].” Lachenmeyer, a political science and international studies major, said he was excited to be a part of a local grassroots campaign. “She was right in the area and we literally just had to walk outside our door and we could go knock on people’s doors and help and do something positive,” Lachenmeyer said. Caleb DeBerry, a 10th grader at Northside College Preparatory High School, has been working on Hadden’s campaign and showed up to the event in support. “Maria just makes me feel so engaged in the political process,” DeBerry said. “Even though I’m 15 and I can’t vote, she still found me kind of worthy enough to campaign for her and to listen to my ideas.” When asked about her next big step, Hadden had a practical response. “Getting sworn in,” Hadden said. After Moore’s decades long run as alderman, some of Hadden’s supporters championed her as someone who could bring change. “[Moore] has been in office for 28 years, I’m only 15,” DeBerry said. “I’ve never seen the 49th ward without Joe Moore and I just really think it’s time for a change.” Two train stops away, supporters of Moore gathered at the restaurant I’m Soul Hungry (2043 W. Howard St.) to watch the results roll in. Despite his loss, Moore told The Phoenix he was thankful for the opportunity to be a public servant. “I’m fine,” Moore said. “No one died. Everyone’s healthy in my family, that’s all that matters. Everything else is secondary. Of course, I’m disappointed, but I’m also grateful that I had the opportunity to serve the community for all these years.” Moore said in his speech he didn’t have any plans for the future yet. He said although it’s been a tough election, he’s treated each election the same. “I’ve approached each [election] with the same sort of work ethic and commitment to my community, so it was no different,” Moore said. Supporters mingled and ate from a buffet while watching the election results on multiple screens throughout the restaurant. Lawrence Itter, a Rogers Park resident who helped run the polling station in Loyola’s Centennial Forum, said he’s never been to a watch party before but wanted to go to support Moore given the competitiveness of this election. “I wanted to come to give Joe my support because it’s gonna be a tight race,” Itter said. “We’ve never been to any of these functions before and it’s pretty exhilarating, but I’m feeling a little anxious.” Robin Mcpherson, a housing specialist for a non-profit organization, said she wanted to support Moore at the event because he’s been the alderman for most of the 34 years she’s lived in Rogers Park. “He’s the only alderman I ever knew, I just wanted him to stay in until he was ready to retire,” Mcpherson said. “Not like this, not before he’s ready to go.” Sandra Jackson, who’s retired, said she wanted Moore to win because she had gotten to know him throughout the 15 years she’s lived in Rogers Park. “You know, when you have someone, no matter what their faults, they know the system, you know they’re gonna get things done,” Jackson said. (Visited 287 times, 1 visits today)<doc-sep>Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed addresses the media following his victory Tuesday night at Vin De Set. The incumbent retained his seat with 36 percent of the votes according to unofficial election results. Photo by Wiley Price/St. Louis American<doc-sep>'Whoever Is Watching This, They're Going To Get A Thrill': Willy T. Ribbs, Paul Tracy, Ernie Francis Jr. Discuss Superstar Racing ExperienceThe Superstar Racing Experience inaugural season begins on June 12 at Stafford Speedway. 'Rugrats' Voice Actors E.G. Daily And Cheryl Chase Call New Animation Style 'Brilliant': 'Every Time They Would Show Us We Would Just Gasp''In the words of Chuckie Finster, "Looks like a giant step to me" as the 90's classic Rugrats returns with all-new episodes and a slick modern animation style on Paramount+. WATCH: Caroline D'Amore Discusses 'Surreal' MTV's 'The Hills: New Beginnings' Experience & Pizza Girl BusinessThe Los Angeles native discusses what it was like to join the cast of "The Hills: New Beginnings" and her new line of sauce. SEC Football: CBS Sports Announces 2021 Schedule Including Alabama At Florida On September 18The SEC on CBS kicks off on September 18 with an SEC Championship game rematch between the Crimson Tide and Gators. Mayweather Vs. Paul: Showtime Sports Announces Broadcast Team For June 6 EventThe network announced its plans for the broadcast of the pay-per-view exhibition bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Logan Paul. The 74th Annual 'Tony Awards' And 'The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back!' Come To CBS September 26thCBS and Tony Award Productions will celebrate Broadway’s highly anticipated return to live theatre with a multiplatform event The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back! Sunday, September 26th (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) broadcasting on CBS and available to stream live and on demand with Paramount+ or the CBS app.<doc-sep>
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Besides the mayor's race, there were a lot of surprises in the aldermanic races Tuesday night.Out of 50 wards, only five aldermen were running uncontested. At least 10 will fight to keep their jobs in April's run-off election.In the 1st Ward, Alderman "Proco" Joe Moreno will be leaving office. Results show Daniel La Spata with a total of more than 60 percent. "This is about a diverse community," La Spata said. "Diverse in every way that said for themselves we want a different future for our community. "Both La Spata and Moreno had their own issues during their campaigns. There was a photo of La Spata dressed as a banana, which some called racist.Meanwhile Moreno was investigated for filing a false police report involving his car.Chicago's 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis is a step closer to being replaced.Solis announced he was retiring, just before we learned the FBI was investigating him for allegations of misusing campaign funds.He then wore a wire to record Alderman Ed Burke during an investigation into Burke's finances.Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Alex Acevedo will likely face each other in the runoff election. "This is a big responsibility for the new alderman to make sure that we bring people together with integrity and more importantly with a vision," said Sigcho-Lopez. "People talk about gentrification, 10,000 families have been displaced, so we have to make sure we are protecting working class families here, but at the same time, making it better for everyone here in the 25th Ward.Alderman Tom Tunney, whose ward includes Wrigley Field and the Lakeview neighborhood claimed victory in the fight to keep his seat.The alderman has been in a feud with the Ricketts family over changes around the ballpark, but he retained a clear majority with more than 60 percent of the vote.If there is a changing face in Chicago's City Council, Andre Vasquez hopes to be it. The 39-year-old forced 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O'Connor into a tight runoff, no small feat given O'Connor's council clout.The veteran alderman is Mayor Rahm Emanuel's floor leader and the new chairman of the powerful Finance Committee.O'Connor is one of 10 incumbent aldermen definitely headed to the April runoff. "It does feel like there is an anti-incumbency wave and some of these runoff candidates are serious players," said David Greising, Better Government Association President.Vasquez won 20 percent of the vote to O'Connor's 33 percent. Vasquez is running on a platform of government accessibility, transparency and accountability, something he said has been missing under O'Connor's rule. "We had a pulse that people wanted change and they wanted a functioning government, where they felt like they were behind the steering wheel," Vasquez said.The need for change drove out other incumbents, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore is out after 28 years in office. "I knew it was a tight race, I knew we might come up short, I didn't know we would come up that short," Moore said.The Rogers Park alderman was once a founding member of the progressive caucus, but recently became one of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's closest allies.With 64.5% of the vote, Moore was beat by Maria Hadden. "We wanted an independent progressive voice in the city council and that is not something new, it's part of this community's legacy and I think the incumbent got away from that," Hadden said.Hadden will become Chicago City Council's first openly gay black woman.And despite facing a federal charge for attempted extortion, 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke has claimed victory.