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Challengers Emerge in 40th and 47th Wards on Last Day of Candidate Filing

By Patty Wetli | November 24, 2014 7:56pm
 Rory Fiedler (l.) challenging Ald. Ameya Pawar for the 47th Ward seat.
Rory Fiedler (l.) challenging Ald. Ameya Pawar for the 47th Ward seat.
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FiedlerForThe47th.com; DNAinfo/Patty Wetli

LINCOLN SQUARE — In a reversal of roles, Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th), who was a heavy underdog in the 2011 aldermanic election, is now the incumbent taking on a largely unknown challenger.

In the 40th Ward, Ald. Patrick O'Connor will face an opponent for the first time since at least 2007.

Rory Fiedler filed his candidacy for 47th Ward alderman with the Chicago Board of Elections Monday morning, in advance of the 5 p.m. deadline.

Each candidate had to submit a petition containing the signatures of at least 473 registered voters, said spokesman Jim Allen.

Objections to any of those signatures are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 3, Allen said.

Fiedler's platform includes working with developers to provide affordable housing for seniors and long-time ward residents; identifying green space for playlots, community gardens, dog parks, etc.; and securing vacant lots and sites under development.

A self-described lifelong resident of the ward, Fiedler is an alum of Queen of Angels and Lane Tech and lists experience in customer service, design, property management, rehabilitation and development.

In the 2012 ward remap, Fiedler's home in the 2800 block of West Lawrence Avenue was redistricted into the 40th Ward. According to Board of Election documents, candidates affected by the remap can run in their former ward if they resided in the district for a year prior to the remap.

Should Fiedler win the 47th Ward seat and opt to run for re-election in 2019, he would need to establish residency in the 47th one year prior.

No fundraising information for Fiedler's campaign was available through the Illinois Board of Elections as of the latest filing date in October.

Pawar filed his petition for re-election Nov. 17. Legislative accomplishments during his first term include establishment of an independent budget office. He's also directed Tax Increment Finance dollars to additions at Coonley and Bell schools, Clark Park, Sulzer Library, the Lawrence Avenue streetscape and other infrastructure projects.

The alderman has stated that if reelected, his top priority would be the development of a viable K-12 school system within the ward.

Following the retirement of long-time 47th Ward Ald. Eugene Schulter, Pawar won his seat in 2011 with 50.8 percent of the vote, just managing to stave off a run-off election.

Records show that Pawar has approximately $205,000 in his campaign fund, having raised $184,000 between July 1 and Sept. 30, with expenditures of $26,000 in that same period.

In the 40th Ward, Ald. Patrick O'Connor, is running to retain the office he's held since 1983. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's council floor leader, O'Connor has been unopposed in the 40th the previous two election cycles.

O'Connor has approximately $136,000 in his campaign fund, according to state records.

He'll face Chicago Public Schools teacher Dianne Daleiden, who's been endorsed by Reclaim Chicago and Northside Democracy for America.

Daleiden's priorities include an elected school board, TIF reform, progressive tax rate and participatory budgeting.

Records show Daleiden has approximately $900 on hand in her campaign fund, having spent nearly $5,000 between July 1 and Sept. 30.

The election is set for Feb. 24. In races where no candidate earns 50 percent of the votes cast, a runoff between the top two candidates will take place April 7.

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