UPTOWN — Incumbent Ald. James Cappleman and challenger Amy Crawford will face off in a runoff election April 7 after both candidates and a third challenger all failed to secure a majority vote Tuesday.
With 100 percent of the votes reporting, Cappleman had 46.76 percent to Crawford's 37.66 percent.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS HERE
"We feel great about the campaign we put together to this point," Crawford told DNAinfo Chicago after the runoff was announced. "Obviously the goal from day one was getting my name out to voters and the opportunity for some change to be a more effective leader for the ward but also less divisive."
She added: "People are still learning about my campaign and what I represent, so we've got a lot of opportunity to win over more voters."
Now that the runoff is a reality, Crawford said she's going to "figure out how best to use the next six weeks to get the message out about our campaign."
She said when she was out at the polls Tuesday, she was pleased to meet people "who are ready for change.
Earlier in the evening, when a runoff was possible but not confirmed, Crawford walked into Uptown Lounge, 1136 W. Lawrence Ave., to a crowd of her supporters, who erupted in applause.
"I'm incredibly excited," said Sally Scherer, one of Crawford's volunteers. "I can't say enough good things about Amy. I think she would bring a level of competence and experience that this ward needs."
Uptown resident David Kaplinsky said he was "proud that [voters] put up a strong fight and showed the ability and will to change [the neighborhood] for the better."
He added: "It's very impressive, Amy's team is very impressive."
While Cappleman's campaign could not be reached for comment after the runoff was announced, his supporters, who filled Michael's Pizzeria at 4091 N. Broadway earlier in the evening, called him everything from "the best" to a "a breath of fresh air."
Uptown resident Anne Farodoye-Cole said Cappleman has continued to fight for residents who live in affordable housing.
"He's a humble man," she said. "He respects everyone and he supports the homeless."
Another resident, Eric Horn, 23, called himself a "disenfranchised youth in the political system" before Cappleman took office.
He said Cappleman cares about the residents in the ward, recalling a time when he called the alderman's office to remove loud roosters from a nearby rooftop that were causing a ruckus in the middle of the night.
He appreciated the fact that Cappleman's office took care of it within a few days, he said.
Plus, Cappleman is a "more humanized view on homeless people than [former Ald. Helen] Shiller," Horn said.
Denice Davis, who also ran against Cappleman, received 15.59 percent of the votes with 100 percent reporting.
Davis' campaign manager, Cortez Duquett, told DNAinfo Chicago that "all the candidates ran a good race."
"As long as the candidate who wins continues the diversity in Uptown, Ms. Davis will be happy. She's all about preserving the diversity and social services."
However, Duquett said Davis' camp does not believe Crawford or Cappleman are right for the job.
"[Crawford] is not different from Cappleman, so it's going to be a difficult four years for our neighborhood if she does win," he said.
As for the next six weeks, Crawford said "she's looking forward to getting some sleep, spending quality time with my family and regrouping and figuring out how best to proceed in the next chapter."
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