PILSEN — Candidates Byron Sigcho Lopez and Alex Acevedo are heading to an April 2 runoff in the 25th Ward to replace disgraced Ald. Danny Solis.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Lopez captured 29.3 percent of the vote and Acevedo captured 22.4 percent, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. Hilario Dominguez had 20.8 percent, Aida Flores had 19.3 percent and Troy Hernandez had 8.3 percent of the vote.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., Sigcho Lopez, an organizer and educator who formerly served as the director of Pilsen Alliance, entered Manjares restaurant, 2230 S. Ashland Ave., to celebrate as his supporters broke out in a cheer chanting, “Si se puede.”
“I’m excited and humbled by the results,” he said.
Sigcho Lopez said the next alderman will face big challenges to rebuild trust in the ward.
“I know what’s at stake,” he said. “I want to make sure we have a ward that is inclusive, democratic, diverse and that works for everyone.”
Acevedo, a former pediatric nurse, celebrated with supporters at Lacuna Lofts, 2150 S. Canalport Ave.
“We’ve been out there knocking on doors, listening to voters, and we see a lot of people want change,” said Acevedo, the son of former Illinois State Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo Sr.
The 25th Ward had been under a “cloud” with Solis and “his shady backroom deals,” Acevedo said.
“People want change, we see that, and we look forward to the runoff,” Acevedo said.
Solis, then-chair of City Council’s powerful Committee on Zoning, announced he wouldn’t run for re-election in November after 23 years in office.
In January, a bombshell Sun-Times report revealed Solis wore a wire, secretly recording Ald. Ed Burke (14th) for the feds. He’s been missing from City Hall.
Before cooperating with investigators, Solis was the target of a federal investigation for receiving sex acts at massage parlors, the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra and campaign contributions in exchange for ushering deals through City Council, the Sun-Times revealed.
Solis was appointed to the 25th Ward seat in 1996 and formerly chaired City Council’s Hispanic Caucus.
In 2015, Solis narrowly avoided a runoff, capturing 51 percent of the vote. His closest challenger, Sigcho Lopez, garnered 18.6 percent of the vote.
In 2011, the 25th Ward race went to a runoff, but Solis ultimately defeated challenger Cuahutemoc Morfin with 54 percent of the vote.
The 25th Ward includes all or parts of Pilsen, Chinatown, the West Loop, University Village, Little Italy, Heart of Chicago and the South Loop.