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Chicago Decides: Interviewing candidates in City Council runoff elections

CBS News Chicago Live

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Leading up to the April 4 runoff elections in Chicago, we are speaking with the aldermanic candidates on the ballot.

There are 14 races for City Council that are headed to runoffs, and CBS News Chicago reached out to all of the candidates for interviews as voters prepare to cast their ballots.

The 29th Ward, where incumbent Ald. Chris Taliaferro, a former police officer who chairs the City Council Committee on Public Safety,  is facing off against businessman and community activist CB Johnson, CEO of the nonprofit Drug Free Westside, neither candidate agreed to an interview with CBS News Chicago.

We were able to hold interviews with all but two candidates in the other 13 wards with runoff elections.

We'll be posting those interviews below as we speak to the candidates in each race.

 

Peter Chico and Ana Guajardo vie for 10th Ward seat

In the 10th Ward, on the Far South Side, Chicago police officer Peter Chico and labor organizer Ana Guajardo are facing off in a bid to replace retiring Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza.

Garza announced in September that she would not be running for a third term, and Chico and Guajardo took the top two spots in the first round in a five-way race for the seat.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to Guajardo and Chico about the race.  

Chicago Decides: Peter Chico and Ana Guajardo vie for 10th Ward seat 04:51
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Ald. Nicole Lee faces challenger Anthony Ciaravino in 11th Ward

The 11th Ward became the city's first Asian American majority ward under new ward maps going into effect in May, and the incumbent alderperson – the first Chinese American woman on the City Council – is hoping to keep her seat in the upcoming runoff election.

Ald. Nicole Lee is facing off against Chicago police officer Anthony Ciaravino in a Southwest Side ward that has long been the home of the Daley family. The ward includes the Chinatown, Bridgeport, Armour Square, and Canaryville neighborhoods.

While Ciaravino's campaign said he was not available for an interview, CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to Lee about the runoff.

Chicago Decides: Ald. Nicole Lee facing challenger Anthony Ciaravino in 11th Ward 03:39
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Prentice Butler faces Lamont Robinson in 4th Ward

With Ald. Sophia King stepping down at the end of her term, following a failed bid for the mayor's office, voters in the 4th Ward will be deciding between her top aide and a local state lawmaker in the upcoming runoff election.

Illinois State Rep. Lamont Robinson took 46.3% of the vote in the first round of voting on Feb. 28. Prentice Butler, who serves as King's chief of staff, got 15.2% of the vote, but also has won the endorsement of three of the remaining four candidates who were on the ballot in February.

The ward includes parts of the South Loop, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and Kenwood neighborhoods.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to both candidates about the race.

Chicago Decides: Prentice Butler faces Lamont Robinson in 4th Ward 06:33
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Joe Dunne, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth face off in 48th Ward

With longtime Ald. Harry Osterman retiring from his City Council seat at the end of his term, the race to replace him in the 48th Ward was one of the most crowded races on the ballot in February, with 10 candidates running for the seat.

Joe Dunne, vice president of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, a nonprofit real estate group that builds affordable housing, will face Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, a photographer and small business owner, and board member of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, in the upcoming runoff election on April 4.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to both candidates about the race.

Chicago Decides: Joe Dunne, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth vie for 48th Ward 06:03
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Activist Angela Clay, former Quigley aide Kim Walz vie for 46th Ward

The runoff race to replace Ald. James Cappleman in the 46th Ward has grown heated over the issue of public safety.

Community activist and Uptown native Angela Clay is facing Kim Walz – a former aide to U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and now an executive for Walgreens.

The ward includes most of the Uptown community and also parts of Lakeview. Cappleman announced back in July that he would not be running for another term.

Clay and Walz both spoke with CBS 2's Marie Saavedra.

Chicago Decides: Angela Clay, Kim Walz vie for 46th Ward 06:01
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Ald. Timmy Knudsen, challenger Brian Comer agree crime is main issue in 43rd Ward

Incumbent Ald. Timmy Knudsen and challenger Brian Comer both agreed crime is the most serious issue facing the 43rd Ward as they face off in the runoff election.

The ward is made up of the Lincoln Park neighborhood and a part of the Gold Coast. Both candidates spoke with CBS 2's Marie Saavedra about their platforms.

Chicago Decides: Ald. Timmy Knudsen, Brian Comer face off in 43rd Ward 06:39
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Tina Hone faces Desmon Yancy in 5th Ward alderman race

In the 5th ward on the South Side, Martina "Tina" Hone faces Desmon Yancy in the runoff.

They're competing to represent the ward and replace incumbent Leslie Hairston who is retiring at the end of her term.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to both candidates about their views and pitches to voters in the ward which includes parts of Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore and Grand Crossing neighborhoods.

Chicago Decides: Tina Hone faces Desmon Yancy in the race to be the next 5th Ward alderman 09:22
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Small business owner Megan Mathias faces Ald. James Gardiner in 45th Ward

Controversial incumbent Ald. James Gardiner is facing off against small business owner Megan Mathias in the runoff election in the Northwest Side's 45th Ward.

We reached out to Gardiner, who has not responded to our requests for an interview. Gardiner has been the subject of controversy, scrutiny, and accusations of intimidation and retribution in his term in office. He has been found guilty of violating the city's Ethics Code and is under federal investigation.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to Mathias about the race.

Small business owner Megan Mathias faces Ald. James Gardiner in 45th Ward 03:36
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Ald. Monique Scott faces challenger Creative Scott in West Side's 24th Ward

In the 24th Ward on the West Side, Ald. Monique Scott is running for a full term in office after being appointed to replace her brother Michael, who left the City Council last summer to take a job with Cinespace Film Studio.

Small business owner Creative Scott (no relation) is running against Monique Scott in the runoff.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to both candidates about the race.

Chicago Decides: Ald. Monique Scott faces challenger Creative Scott in West Side's 24th Ward 06:24
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Ronnie Mosely faces Cornell Dantzler in 21st Ward on South Side

In the 21st Ward on the South Side, incumbent Ald. Howard Brookins is retiring after 20 years in office.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke with the two candidates running to replace him – consultant Ronnie Mosley and retired firefighter Cornell Dantzler.

Chicago Decides: Ronnie Mosley faces Cornell Dantzler in 21st Ward on South Side 05:35
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Richard Wooten and William Hall face off in South Side's 6th Ward

In the 6th Ward on the South Side, incumbent Ald. Roderick Sawyer is not seeking re-election after a failed bid for mayor.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke with the two candidates running to replace him – pastor Richard Wooten and pastor William Hall.

Chicago Decides: Richard Wooten and William Hall face off in 6th Ward 07:06
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Ald. Gil Villegas, Lori Torres Whitt face off in 36th Ward

Chicago's 36th Ward has an odd shape after being redrawn – crawling northwest up Grand Avenue from West Town to Montclare.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke to both candidates – incumbent Ald. Gil Villegas and his challenger, Lori Torres Whitt.

Chicago Decides: Ald. Gil Villegas, Lori Torres Whitt face off in 36th Ward 08:34
By CBS Chicago Team
 

Jessica Gutiérrez, Ruth Cruz face off in runoff in Northwest Side's 30th Ward

In the 30th Ward on the Northwest Side, incumbent Ald. Ariel Reboyras did not seek another term, so two challengers will face off.

CBS 2's Marie Saavedra spoke with the finalists – Jessica Gutiérrez and Ruth Cruz.

Chicago Decides: Jessica Gutierrez, Ruth Cruz face off in 30th Ward 08:59
By CBS Chicago Team
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