40th District Seat Up for Grabs, Meet Candidates at Community Forum

IRVING PARK — The Democratic primary race in Illinois' 40th District has attracted a large field of candidates vying for the seat vacated in July by now Ald. Deb Mell (33rd) and filled since August by appointee Jaime Andrade.

Andrade will be among six hopefuls stumping for votes at a community forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, at Irving Park Baptist Church, 4401 W. Irving Park Rd. The forum is being hosted by a coalition of neighborhood groups active in Avondale, Irving Park and Albany Park.

Attendees will have the opportunity to question candidates on issues facing the 40th District, as well as quiz them on their experience and plans for the community.

Confirmed to attend:

• Jaime Andrade, current 40th District representative, former long-time aide to Ald. Dick Mell.
• Melanie (Mel) Ferrand, Chicago Public Schools teacher, former union carpenter, long-time activist in the LGBT community.
• Aaron Goldstein, former Cook County public defender now in private practice, among the attorneys who defended former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
• Wendy Jo Harmston, member of Old Irving Park Association, ties to North River Commission and the Chicago Association of Local School Councils.
• Mark Pasieka, electrical engineer.
• Nancy Schiavone, 35th Ward Democratic Committeeman, lawyer, served on the board of directors of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago.

Primary elections in Illinois will be held March 18.