UPTOWN — After months of campaigning, aldermanic candidates vying to represent North Side wards are about to learn their fate.
Voters headed to the polls Tuesday, which are open until 7 p.m.
In the 46th Ward, which includes Uptown, Lakeview, Buena Park and Sheridan Park, election judges at three separate polling places told DNAinfo Chicago that voter turnout seemed low Tuesday afternoon.
Incumbent Ald. James Cappleman, who has served one term, is running against attorney Amy Crawford and Denice Davis, who served as former longtime Uptown alderman Helen Shiller's chief of staff.
Johnny Pilcher, 56, cast his ballot for Davis at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
"I voted for her because everyone seems to think she'll make a good alderman," he said. One issue Pilcher is concerned with in the ward: reducing crime.
"Cappleman has been working on it, but I think they could be doing a lot better if they intervene with people on the street and add more officers," he said.
He added that officers should be out in the community more, talking to kids and families.
Another 46th ward resident who voted for Davis "worries that the 46th ward will slowly squeeze out longtime residents."
"Sometimes you vote for someone who is less mainstream because it is important for everyone take notice of them," said Norma, who has lived in the ward for 15 years and declined to provide her last name.
A polling place at Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainsle St., was relatively empty save for one or two voters around 4 p.m. Meanwhile, cars waited in a line that wrapped around the block at neighboring National Car Wash.
Cappleman did not attend a recent debate where Crawford criticized him, saying it's "shameful we have an alderman who says he was a social worker but supported slashing mental health clinics."
Recently, she distributed campaign mailers that accused Cappleman of making pigeons a priority, rather than issues like crime and affordable housing. Cappleman has blamed pigeons for less economic development and crime in Uptown.
Also at the debate, Davis attacked Crawford for not being as involved in the community. She said she has fought against school closings and unwanted developments alongside residents, but hasn't "seen Amy there." Davis has also tried to set herself apart from Shiller, by saying she's a "totally different person."
40th Ward
Ald. Patrick O'Connor is running against Dianne Daleiden, a CPS math and science teacher, in the 40th Ward race.
Recently, Daleiden's campaign questioned the approximately $50,000 the Lincoln Bend Chamber of Commerce has been receiving annually from the city. Her attorney called it a "political machine for the alderman."
O'Connor has represented the ward since 1983, when he was first elected at age 28. He's also the City Council floor leader for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The 40th ward includes parts of Andersonville, Peterson Park, West Rogers Park, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood.
48th Ward
Ald. Harry Osterman is running unopposed in the 48th Ward, an area that includes Andersonville and parts of Edgewater and Uptown.
Osterman grew up in Edgewater and was an Illinois state representative from 2000 to 2011, representing the 14th District in Springfield. His mother, Kathy Osterman, was also an alderman.
If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote, the two with the most votes will square off in a runoff on April 7.
Having problems voting? Report it to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners by visiting their website or calling them directly at 312-269-7870.
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