The Latest Breaking News from George Cardenas

Year of the Incumbent? Only one sitting City Council member unseated this year — first time in a century

The solitary defeat of appointed Ald. Anabel Abarca (12th) marks the fewest defeated incumbents since Chicago instituted the 50-member City Council system in 1923. Seven sitting members were knocked out in each of the previous two election cycles.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 19, 2023

Pollution, public safety drive ward races in Southeast Side’s 10th, Southwest Side’s 12th

In the 10th, Yessenia Carreón, Peter Chico, Ana Guajardo, Óscar Sanchez and Jessica Venegas are running to succeed Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza. And in the 12th, newly appointed Ald. Anabel Abarca is challenged by Julia Ramirez.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 17, 2023

What will the next Chicago City Council look like?

With many alderpersons choosing not to run for reelection, decades of institutional knowledge will be lost when the new Council convenes.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 25, 2023

Lightfoot makes environmental concession, but critics still not satisfied

The mayor is proposing to beef up the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity — from six employees to 10 — and take it out of the mayor’s office, placing it under a director who would be confirmed by the City Council.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 2, 2022

Zoning out? Lightfoot’s choice to replace Smith in 43rd Ward to step down from zoning panel

Attorney Timmy Knudsen is expected to be confirmed by the full City Council on Wednesday and sworn in immediately so he can take his seat and cast his first votes. If Tuesday’s Rules Committee meeting was any indication, there might just be only one dissenting vote: Southwest Side Ald. Marty…

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 20, 2022

Kaegi leading Steele in early returns after tough fight for Cook County assessor

Cook County Assessor Frederick “Fritz” Kaegi was trying to fend off challenger Kari Steele. And in the Board of Review’s 1st District, first-term incumbent Tammy Wendt faced Chicago Ald. George Cardenas.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 29, 2022

Steele-Kaegi match for Cook County assessor revolves around calls for, reform, transparency, fairness

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi argues he has instituted key reforms in the relatively obscure office, but Democrat challenger Kari Steele, the president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, says he’s done more harm than good.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 14, 2022

Lightfoot’s pre-election budget shortfall now $561 million lower, due to surging tax revenues, held over federal relief

Nearly a year ago, a $866.8 million shortfall had been projected for 2023. But a top city official warned Wednesday that the revised shortfall of roughly $306 million is still “very preliminary” and easily could rise.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 18, 2022

Compromise struck on new Chicago City Council ward map; could avoid referendum

Under the deal, which still needs to be cemented by a Chicago City Council vote next week, the map will create 16 Black majority wards and 14 Latino majority wards — one fewer than the Latino caucus had fought for.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 10, 2022

Chicago ward map proposal blasted as ‘backroom deal’ and a loss for city’s Latinos

CHICAGO — Enough Chicago aldermen are in agreement on a new map of the city’s 50 wards that they will avoid a ballot referendum next month that would have let voters choose from between competing maps, sources said Monday.

Chicago Tribune · May 10, 2022