IRVING PARK — Jessica Gutiérrez and Ruth Cruz have advanced to a runoff in the 30th Ward election, with no candidate receiving the necessary 50 percent of the vote to win.
With all 26 precincts reporting Tuesday night, Gutiérrez received 37 percent of the vote, with Cruz coming in second with 27 percent. They will face off in the April 4 runoff election.
Candidate Warren Williams came in 3rd with 22 percent, and candidate JuanPablo Prieto in 4th with 11 percent.
Gutiérrez and Cruz hope to replace Ald. Ariel Reboyras, who is retiring after 20 years in office.
The newly redrawn Northwest Side ward includes portions of Belmont Cragin, Irving Park, Portage Park and Avondale.
The daughter of former Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Jessica Gutierrez challenged Reboyras in the 2019 election. She narrowly lost to the incumbent in a contentious runoff.
“Our campaign unifies the ward and the results show it,” Gutierrez said in a statement. “From Old Irving Park to Portage Park to Belmont Cragin, we put in the work to turn people out to vote. This ward is diverse, it’s vibrant, and it’s ready for new leadership —one that focuses on constituent services and our community values like public safety and quality education. I look forward to earning the support of the majority of the voters in April. I’m proud to be their number one choice.”
An assistant admissions director at Roosevelt University, Cruz has received Reboyras’ support. The outgoing alderperson has given her two $5,000 donations since December, according to campaign finance records.
In an interview Tuesday, Cruz said voters want a fresh face in the ward, referring to Gutierrez’ family’s long history in local politics.
“The community is rejecting an old dynasty and wants to see change,” Cruz said. “We’re ready for the runoffs.”
She said she’s not sure if Reboyras will continue supporting her in the runoff, but that her “commitment to the 30th ward has been there for a very long time.”
Gutiérrez has been endorsed by mayoral candidate and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and various unions. Her campaign has around $193,400 on hand, according to finance records.
Cruz has received endorsements from the Chicago Federation of Labor and other organized labor groups. Her campaign fund has around $93,500 on hand.