EDISON PARK — Cook County Clerk David Orr endorsed Chicago firefighter Anthony Napolitano in the 41st Ward aldermanic race, saying he will provide much-needed "independence" on a City Council "full of rubber stamps."
Orr, who endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for Chicago mayor, said Napolitano's five years of service as a Chicago police officer and 10 years as a firefighter prove he would be unafraid to be an independent voice on the City Council.
"Frankly, the City Council is full of rubber stamps and that's a bad way to do government," said Orr, who briefly served as mayor after the death of Mayor Harold Washington. "Anthony would be the kind of alderman to stand up for the neighborhood."
Napolitano, who is running against Ald. Mary O'Connor and business owner Joe Lomanto, said he was humbled to get an endorsement from Orr, who he called a "highly respected independent politician."
Napolitano said he decided to run for alderman after he found himself frequently complaining to his friends and family members about the state of the ward, which includes Edison Park, Norwood Park, O'Hare and parts of Edgebrook.
"I would represent the voters on the City Council," said Napolitano, who has said he would consider joining the Progressive Caucus, which frequently opposes Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposals, if elected.
O'Connor, who is running for her second term on the City Council, where she has frequently voted to support Emanuel, said the 41st Ward had undergone a "remarkable revitalization" under her leadership after being neglected for decades.
Lomanto has vowed to use as a small-business owner to deliver city services more efficiently and effectively and has also he planned to join the Progressive Caucus.
If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote on Feb. 24, the top two vote-getters will square off in a runoff on April 7.
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