LINCOLN SQUARE — From freshmen aldermen running their first race as an incumbent to veterans facing their first serious challenge in years, Tuesday's municipal elections are sure to bring the drama and a few surprise results to North Side neighborhoods.
Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Problems with voting can be reported to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners online at chicagoelections.com or by calling 312-269-7870.
If no candidates receives more than 50 percent of the ballots cast on Feb. 24, the top two vote-getters will square off in a runoff election on April 7.
Here's a quick look at races affecting residents of the Lincoln Square, North Center, Albany Park, Irving Park and North Park community areas.
The ward covers all or portions of Roscoe Village, as well as Bucktown, Lincoln Park and Logan Square.
Incumbent Scott Waguespack is a member of City Council's progressive caucus. A vocal critic of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Waguespack has been targeted by Emanuel's political action committee, which is actively campaigning to defeat the alderman.
Waguespack's opponent is Elise Doody-Jones, a former campaign director for Ald. Joe Moreno (1st).
Covering all or portions of Albany Park, Irving Park, Ravenswood Manor, Avondale, Logan Square and a sliver of North Park, the 33rd Ward has been represented by a member of the Mell family since the 1970s. When Dick Mell retired in 2013, Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Deb Mell to her father's council seat. In her first bid to be elected alderman outright, the younger Mell is facing a pair of scrappy challengers.
Tim Meegan is a teacher at Roosevelt High School and has strong support from the Chicago Teachers Union. Budget wonk Annisa Wanat, a non-profit consultant, has been endorsed by both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.
The three faced off at a candidate forum in late January, covered here.
The ward covers all or portions of Albany Park, Irving Park, Avondale, Logan Square and Hermosa.
Incumbent Rey Colon is looking to hold onto his office against one of the youngest challengers running for alderman in 2015, 26-year-old community organizer Carlos Rosa.
The two recently appeared at a candidate forum.
All or portions of Albany Park, North Park, Hollywood Park, Mayfair, Old Irving Park, Irving Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Old Edgebrook, Forest Glen, Gladstone Park and Indian Woods are including in the ward.
If incumbent Ald. Margaret Laurino is re-elected Tuesday, the Laurino family will mark 50 years at the head of the 39th Ward. Making a case for change are a pair of challengers: Joe Laiacona, who taught computer programming for 20 years at Columbia College, and Robert Murphy, an architect and co-founder of the Fair Allocations in Runways Coalition.
All three candidates fielded questions at a recent community forum.
The ward includes all or parts of Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Peterson Park, Andersonville and West Ridge.
Pat O'Connor has served as 40th Ward alderman since 1983, first elected at the age of 28. Though he's run unopposed the past several election cycles, on Tuesday he's being challenged by teacher Dianne Daleiden, a long-time Andersonville resident.
Old Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Forest Glen and Gladstone Park are included in this ward either in whole or in part.
In 2011, the 45th Ward aldermanic race was decided by only 30 votes and many election observers expect this year's race to be just as close.
In his bid for a second term, Ald. John Arena is facing off against his 2011 foe, Chicago Police Lt. John Garrido, as well as Michelle Baert, who publishes a family-friendly website as the 45th Ward Mom, and state regulatory attorney Michael Diaz.
After narrowly defeating the 47th Ward machine in 2011, Ald. Ameya Pawar is asking voters to return him to the council for a second term representing the ward, which covers portions of North Center, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood.
He's facing challenger Rory Fiedler, a former designer/director at Goatbusters 101.
The two squared off earlier in February at a 47th Ward candidate forum.
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