Chicago candidates rev up for 43rd Ward

Race builds following Daley's retirement notice

09/01/2010 10:00 PM

By Jennifer Slosar
Contributing Reporter

19 Comments - Add Your Comment

Facing a Nov. 22 deadline for filing nominating petitions, contenders for the alderman’s seat in the 43rd ward are out knocking on doors and scrambling to position themselves on the issues.

Ald. Vi Daley’s recent announcement that she will retire after a decade of service has left an open playing field.

Martin J. Oberman, a long-time Lincoln Park resident and former alderman (1975-1987), observed that some recurring local issues will factor heavily in voters’ minds as they approach the February city elections. Oberman has endorsed Michele Smith, who has not yet officially announced.

“In terms of local issues, it’s always a question of making sure the community has a voice in zoning and development issues,” said Oberman. “That’s a concern year in and year out.”

Indeed, the ward currently finds itself with a full-plate of development decisions. Plans for a mixed-use development at the Lincoln Park Hospital site have sparked controversy. More resident-developer friction could build over the pending move of Children’s Memorial Hospital to Streeterville. Further down the line, Finkl Steel’s shift to the South Side will leave a 22-acre site for redevelopment in the Clybourn avenue industrial corridor.

Continued delivery of ward services, such as following up on potholes and water mains, is another perennial, “mundane” but “important” issue, said Oberman.

Oberman said that the new twist in this year’s race stems from the city’s financial crisis. The prospect of a $655 million budget shortfall has city officials warning of further cuts in city services.

“I imagine voters will want to hear whether you are for a tax increase, for cutting city jobs, or for putting TIF funds in the district back into school and city budgets,” said Oberman. Tied with this issue, he said, is the degree of independence that the alderman will show in the city council.

In addition to these issues, shuttered storefronts and a public perception that crime is on the rise register highly on ward residents’ radar, according to all of the candidates interviewed.

As of this week, two candidates from the 2007 race, Tim Egan and Michele Smith, look likely to reprise strong campaigns — handful of new faces have entered the race as well.

Rafael Vargas

Civil rights attorney Rafael Vargas launched his campaign in July, before news of Daley’s retirement.

“I think our ward needs a more active voice in the city council,” said Vargas, 33, who works on issues of equity in education, transportation and employment with the firm of Futterman Howard Ashley Watkins &Weltman.

“In these economic times, we don’t need people who are complacent and sitting on the sidelines,” he said, pointing to the city’s yawning budget gap.

“We need people actively crafting the city budget,” he said. “We need to make sure our TIF budget doesn’t freeze out our public schools.”

As a belt-tightening measure, Vargas has proposed shrinking the city council. Citing New York City, Vargas said cities with smaller councils still produce consistently strong constituent services by streamlining their operations.

Locally, Vargas said there’s a lot of confusion in the community over the status of plans for the Lincoln Park Hospital development, something he attributes to a breakdown in communication and outreach.

“A lot of the work that I do is related to engaging communities and public entities, said Vargas. “I have experience working with people to make sure there is real understanding about what the issues are so we can work on solving them as opposed to bickering about the process.”

Although state records show that the candidate has gathered over $150,000, Vargas said the total is now closer to $200,000.

Tim Egan

Tim Egan is back for a second go at the 43rd’s seat. After placing third in the 2007 race, he promised a more intelligent campaign this year.

“We certainly can’t run any harder,” Egan said. “We just have to work smarter.”

Since 2007, Egan finished a master’s degree in nonprofit administration at North Park University. As founder of the charitable Chicago Irish Brotherhood and a political action committee called “43rd United,” which aims to help neighborhood organizations, he believes he is perfectly situated to bring business, community and residential groups together.

Egan is vice president of development and executive director of the foundation for Norwegian American Hospital in Humboldt Park.

Improving constituent services ranks high on his priority list, said Egan. He said his team has developed a plan based on his hospital operations background.

“It’s going to be an automated system that’s data-driven,” said Egan. “Every call, every email, every letter that comes into our office will be entered into the system and reports will be generated on a daily, monthly, yearly basis.”

“I bring tremendous business acumen, and I know I’ll be able to help the struggling retail situation the 43rd ward is facing,” said Egan, who also promised a fight to get more police officers on the streets.

After netting $30,000 in campaign contributions during a recent dinner, Egan hasn’t yet filed financial disclosure statements with the state. His candidacy is expected to be formally announced at the same time a new website is rolled out on Sept. 11.

Bita Buenrostro

Bita Buenrostro is running as an independent on her activity promoting public safety in the ward. Buenrostro, 39, is president of Neighborhood Watch, a group she created to bring CAPS information to people who don’t attend the meetings.

“I work with the 18th and 19th district police officers to educate and inform the neighbors,” said Buenrostro.

She performs her outreach through emailing, and door-to-door visits and says she invests her own money in address signs for back buildings that face alleys, which aids in reporting crime.

Buenrostro is a manager at Dublin’s Pub on State Street, where she’s worked for more than six years. She brings an international background to the candidate roster. Born in Iran, she was raised in Sweden and moved to the United States 19 years ago.

“It [restaurant management] gives me a great background in budgeting and customer service, and that’s what an alderman does—it’s customer-oriented service.”

State records showed her committee with a small budget of $1600 at the end of June — down from $9,000 at the beginning of the filing period.

Buenrostro is championing her lack of political pedigree and willingness to work hard at reaching out to the community. The North Park graduate said the next alderman should be a strong supporter of small business.

“If you’ve been to Halstead and Clark streets, it looks like a ghost town, because nobody’s out there promoting,” said Buenrostro. Her ideas include working with business owners to get them breaks on permits, taxes and leases, as well as discounts on parking, especially in their “first critical year” of business, she said.

Dan Balanoff

Dan Balanoff, a 30-year-old probate and estate lawyer, says he will bring “new energy” to the job of responding to constituents’ concerns.

Redevelopment of Children’s Memorial Hospital and nearby Lincoln Park Hospital should be considered as one piece in the larger development puzzle, Balanoff said.

He’s put together a detailed plan for the Children’s Memorial site that includes a “scaled-down version of Millennium Park” that he says will promote highly desirable foot traffic, stimulate retail and provide more green space in the ward. A satellite website, cmhproject.com, details the project.

Balanoff sits on the Local School Council for Lincoln Park High School. He was endorsed by Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin on Tuesday. [today]

Noting that Ald. Daley voted with the mayor 94 per cent of the time in divided council votes, Balanoff said it’s time to revive the tradition of the 43rd ward as having an alderman “that’s leading the independents.”

TIF reform tops his to-do list as alderman, said Balanoff. “Right now 52 per cent of the TIF budget is coming from the public school system,” he said. “Keeping a high level of public education in the 43rd ward is paramount.”

Balanoff’s committee has not yet filed financial reports with the state, but he says, “we will raise every penny needed to win this election.”

Michele Smith

Rounding out the roster of potential candidates is the ward’s Democratic committeeman Michele Smith. The former federal prosecutor, who forced a run-off with Daley in 2007, said she will announce her decision in mid-September.

Smith, 55, said that as committeeman she’s accomplished her goal of increasing political awareness in the ward, with debates featuring candidates for Cook County board president and congress and increased voter turn-out for primary elections.

Another point of pride, said Smith, is that her office has provided a strong forum for discussing local issues. She said a meeting on the future of development in the ward drew 300 people and she’s received good feedback on a newsletter that keeps residents apprised of ward news.

The next alderman, Smith said, should be able to lead the community through the major development issues facing the ward.

“We’re looking at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Park Hospital and the redevelopment of Finkl Steel,” said Smith. “Lincoln Park will not see that much development in another 50 years.”

She said voters will also want to consider who can provide an independent voice on the city council.

“Who has the financial and political experience to be a leader on issues like the city budget and TIF reform?” said Smith.


19 Comments - Add Your Comment



By laura from old town
Posted: 02/01/2011 2:17 PM

I would have to agree with one of the last post. I think the two best candidates are Bita and Egan. They both have run a clean campaign, which makes a difference to me. they both seem to care more about the neighborhood then getting a Job.


By LincolnPark43Watcher from Old Town
Posted: 01/28/2011 3:27 AM

Michele is an officer of the court but knowingly breaks election law: http://www.scribd.com/doc/47708472/Michele-Smith-For-Alderman-org-Breaks-Election-Law-Complaint-Chicago-Board-of-Elections http://www.scribd.com/doc/47708239/MicheleSmithforAlderman-org-Breaks-Election-Law-Evidence


By Nancy from Lincoln Park
Posted: 01/20/2011 10:02 AM

Please urge all the 43rd ward candidates to OPPOSE the proposed night stadium lights at FRANCIS PARKER. Visit : www.francisparkerneighbors.org for more information on this awful proposal. Lincoln Park West can not handle more traffic, noise and disturbances from Francis Parker. This is a residential street.


By Mary from Lincoln Park
Posted: 12/01/2010 12:40 PM

I don't understand Michele Smith. She has no job, so where is her money coming from? In response to a previous comment, the woman may be a "joy to work with," but when you work with the person they may act completely different because they know you support them. Even if she is a nice person to work with, her tactics in campaigning don't abide to the rules at all times... Bita and Egan actually prove that they've served the community...


By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 11/18/2010 6:03 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 PJS from Lincoln Park
Posted: 11/11/2010 9:47 AM

How could Michelle Smith vote for the parking meter lease as 43rd Ward Committeewoman?? Not that I support her in the least, but if you\'re going to comment, at least know what you\'re talking about.


By Boyee from Lincoln Park (Mid-North)
Posted: 11/10/2010 2:21 PM

Dan Balanoff will be best for this position. His awesome plan for a mini-Millennium Park (Centennial Garden) would be the best use of the former CMH site.


By Joe from Lin
Posted: 11/04/2010 1:38 PM

Interestingly enough, Balanoff had fraternity brothers at college named Jim and Rocco ...


By sb from old town
Posted: 11/01/2010 6:27 PM

Michele Smith has done nothing in office shes rubber stamped everything in government (voted on parking meter sale). Tim Egan working for the Norwegian Hospital in Humbolt bringing highest foreclosure rate in Chicago showing true colors for big business not for the community. Vargas has backing from lawyers and big business that's what we need steer more city business to friends and law firm with no bid contract Balanoff has SEIU backing more unions you kidding me? Bita who?


By John from Chicago
Posted: 10/10/2010 8:16 PM

Smith has not been a federal prosecutor for over 20 years, and she is far from a business leader. She currently does not even have a job.


By Mal from Lincoln Park
Posted: 10/08/2010 7:52 PM

I will have to respectfully disagree with the comment about Michele Smith. I have worked with her many times before and never ONCE have I gotten the impression that she has the "holier than thou" or "power hungry" attitude. In fact, I have always found her a joy to work with and a very kind person. She is certainly well qualified for the position, with her background as a federal prosecutor and a business leader, and has been involved in our community for a long time now.


By Ben from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/10/2010 3:00 PM

I'm with Mike on this one. If you want to be an independent, more power to you. But if you're the elected Democratic committeeperson, that endorsement shows a serious lack of loyalty and a shoddy understanding of a ward committeeperson's job.


By Rocco from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/10/2010 2:06 PM

I too have met Dan Balanoff at a variety of business and social events (formally and informally); his energy is unparalleled and his love and passion for the 43rd Ward (i.e. the people, the businesses, the future) will give all of us the voice needed in City Council, but have gone without in recent memory. Before I start attacking other candidates based on looks or quotes (that are probably taken out of context) I will give all of them a fair chance, but Balanoff set the bar very high to start.


By Jim D. from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/08/2010 2:24 PM

I've gotten to know Dan Balanoff over the past couple of years at local meetings and his commitment to improving public education and serving his neighbors is unparalleled. He will be my choice to be our next alderman.


By G. Cranston from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/06/2010 9:53 AM

I think "high level of education" means tenth or eleventh grade. Balanoff sounds like the least promising of the bunch. He's better suited for a frat party than a city council meeting.


By Mike from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/05/2010 10:36 PM

Michele Smith is the elected Democratic Committeeman. She has just put out an endorsement of Forest Claypool for County Assessor. She is not upholding her job in this elected position. She has lied to her constituency and misrepresented herself to the Democratic Voters of the 43rd Ward. Go join the IVI-IPO if you want to run with the independents. She had a choice to have no endorsement in this race, and she has show her true colors in this decision.


By Bill from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/04/2010 5:38 PM

But New York has more than twice the residents. Most understood that this is on a proportional basis but How will he get the other 49 to agree? Will he be one of those to go? Speaking of more reasonable proposals, if green space and a park can be placed on privately owned real estate that will also be a miracle. None of the candidates have much experience but maybe one of these candidates can come through like the newcomers downtown like Aldermen Reilly of the 42nd and Fioretti of the 2nd.


By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/03/2010 2:50 PM

Dan Balanoff: "Keeping a high level of public education in the 43rd ward is paramount." --What does "high level" refer to - quality? quantity? something else? And how many 43rd Ward (i.e. Lincoln Park) residents send their kids to neighborhood public schools? His comment is meaningless.


By Brendan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/03/2010 2:48 PM

Rafael Vargas: "Citing New York City, Vargas said cities with smaller councils still produce consistently strong constituent services by streamlining their operations." --Come again? NYC has a council with 51 members..that's 1 more than Chicago.