Chicago Decides: Interviewing candidates in City Council runoff elections

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'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.

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.