NORTH PARK — Ald. Margaret Laurino is officially in the race to retain her seat in city council as representative of the 39th Ward.
"I have always considered it an honor that the residents of the 39th Ward have entrusted me to advocate for our community's hopes and to be a voice for its concerns," Laurino said in a statement released Tuesday.
"I have never lost sight of that trust and that is why I enthusiastically announce my candidacy for reelection as 39th Ward alderman."
In her statement, Laurino, who was named president pro tempore of the council in 2013, set forth her priorities for a new term: easing the impact of O'Hare noise in the community, funding for infrastructure and schools, improving and expanding local parks and forest preserves, recruiting and retaining businessess, and full staffing of police and fire departments.
Laurino has served as alderman of the 39th Ward since 1994. She was appointed to the post by then Mayor Richard Daley following the retirement of her father, Ald. Anthony Laurino, who had held the seat since 1965.
Anthony Laurino was later indicted as part of a ghost payrolling investigation that resulted in the conviction of several Laurino family members. Margaret Laurino was not among those included in the scheme. (The elder Laurino died before the trial was concluded.)
Though she faced a run-off in her first bid for outright election in 1995, Laurino, who lives in Sauganash, has since handily staved off challengers. In 2011, she was reelected with 76 percent of the vote, though four opposing candidates were dropped from the ballot after objection petitions were filed.
Following the remap of ward boundaries, the 39th Ward encompasses all or portions of Albany Park, North Park, Hollywood Park, Mayfair, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Old Edgebrook, Gladstone Park, Indian Woods and Forest Glen.
Chicago municipal elections are set for Feb. 24.
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