- Credibility:
DUNNING — Ald. Nick Sposato is holding on to his 38th Ward seat, despite a crowded race.
With 24 of 25 precincts reporting Tuesday night, the incumbent held 56.3 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff. Challenger Ed Bannon came in second, getting 26.3 percent. Cynthia Santos came in third, pulling 10.3 percent of the vote.
Software engineer Franco Reyes received 4.5 percent and retired city worker Bruce Randazzo got 2.6 percent, according to election results.
The ward includes Dunning, parts of Portage Park and a small part of Jefferson Park. More of Portage Park became part of the 38th Ward in last year’s remap.
In a brief phone call Tuesday night, Sposato said he was glad to win reelection and was celebrating with his team and supporters at a watch party at Porretta’s, 3656 N. Central Ave.
“Obviously, I’m glad I won,” Sposato said.
Sposato previously told Block Club he was somewhat worried about the race this year, with more candidates than he has faced since last election.
Sposato, who had a career as a firefighter and postal worker before entering politics, was elected 36th Ward alderman in 2011. When his area was redistricted into the 38th Ward, he easily won the seat in 2015 and ran unopposed in 2019.
Known as an outspoken, independent voice on City Council and a strong supporter of firefighters and police officers, Sposato has asked for more officers to join the 16th Police District and wants more patrols to make the ward safer, he has said.
At the end of last year, a speed camera was installed close to Shabbona Park near Bridge Elementary School, 3800 N. New England Ave., at the alderman’s request, which he hopes will prevent speeding and better protect children, he said.
Spoasto’s also helped bring schools and parks to the Northwest Side, including Taft Freshman Academy, 4071 N. Oak Park Ave. and Rickover Naval Academy School, 5700 W. Berteau Ave., he said.
Sposato has faced criticism for some of his remarks, including in 2021 when he suggested Black people are ticketed more by police because white people “know how to talk their way out of a ticket” and when he said he “identifies as a vaccinated person.”
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoSposato hopes to keep building on public safety and education, which go hand in hand and create “strong anchors to the community,” Sposato previously said.
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