Voting Underway in 2nd Annual Best of the 45th Ward Competition

JEFFERSON PARK — The second annual battle for bragging rights in the 45th Ward is underway.

An online competition, sponsored by Ald. John Arena (45th), will choose the best school, best community festival, best park, best business, best piece of public art and best community leader.

"So many" people and businesses make the 45th Ward "a great place to live and work" and they deserve some recognition, according to contest organizers.

Votes can be cast online, and the winner will be announced Oct. 18 at a fundraiser to benefit Friends of 45, which funds the 45th Ward Independent Democrats as well as Arena's upcoming bid for re-election as 45th Ward committeeman.

The finalists, chosen from a list of nominees submitted by residents online, are:

Best School

• Beaubien Elementary School

• Disney ll Magnet School

• St. Constance School

Best Park

• Jefferson Memorial Park

• Independence Park

• Portage Park

Best Business

• Community Tavern

• Fischman's Liquors & Tavern

• Gale Street Inn

Best Festival

• Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival

• Six Corners BBQ Festival

• Fringe Festival

Best Community Leader

• Anna Zolkowski Sobor

• Cyd Smillie

• George Karzas

Best Public Art

• Ed Paschke Murals

• Positive Babel Mural on Irving Park Road

• Hep Cat Mural on Cicero

The ward includes Jefferson Park, Forest Glen and Gladstone Park as well as parts of Portage Park and Old Irving Park.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: