WEST LAWN — Ald. Jason Ervin was reelected to his 28th Ward seat Tuesday.
With all precincts reporting, the incumbent held 76 percent of the vote to challenger Shawn Walker’s 24 percent, sealing Ervin’s fourth full term in office.
“I’m humbled the voters of the 28th Ward have placed their trust in me for another term in such an overwhelming fashion,” Ervin said in a statement from his spokesperson. “I will work hard on their behalf every day to make our community safer and stronger.”
The 28th Ward represents parts of Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Pilsen, Little Village, Little Italy and the West Loop.
Ervin ran unopposed for the majority of the election season because Walker and another challenger were knocked off the ballot for not having enough valid signatures. A fourth candidate withdrew.
Walker was reinstated to the race last week after election officials determined he’d collected one extra petition signature above the requirement to appear on the ballot.
Ervin fought this decision and appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court, which sided with Walker.
Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Ervin to the seat in January 2011, and he easily won the 2011 election to serve his first full term. Ervin ran unopposed in 2015, when seven challengers were knocked off the ballot, and he won again in 2019.
Before Ervin was alderman, he served on the local school councils at Tilton Elementary School and Westinghouse Career Academy.
Ervin is the chair of City Council’s Black Caucus and serves on eight committees, including Human Relations, Budget and Government Operations and Finance, among others. His wife, Melissa Conyears-Ervin, was reelected City Treasurer after running unopposed.
Throughout his time as alderperson, Ervin said he’s most proud of his efforts to bring in sustainable developments, increase access to affordable housing and improve infrastructure.
Looking toward the future, Ervin’s top priorities include improving education, keeping families safe and furthering economic development, according to his website.
Ervin said he looks forward to working with the newly elected police council to improve public safety through more collaboration with the community. He also plans to continue increasing access to healthcare in the ward, to improve residents’ life expectancy.