- Credibility:
GAGE PARK — Jeylu Gutierrez was elected 14th Ward alderperson Tuesday night, ending Ald. Ed Burke’s five-decade reign running the ward.
With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Gutierrez held 65 percent of the vote to candidate Raul Reyes’ 35 percent.
The 14th Ward includes Gage Park, Archer Heights and parts of Brighton Park and Chicago Lawn.
“I just want to thank every single one that came out to vote,” Gutierrez said in an interview. “I’m going to be the alderperson that will serve every single one the same way. I’m not going to make a difference between undocumented, permanent residents or citizens. They all deserve the same type of treatment. They all deserve an equity of services.”
Since 1969, the ward has been represented by Burke, the longtime “dean” of City Hall and one-time chair of the city’s finance committee.
After years of being one of Chicago’s most powerful aldermen, Burke is now under indictment for federal racketeering, bribery and corruption charges, accused of trying to steer tax work to his law firm by holding up permits for a Burger King in his Southwest Side ward.
Burke was reelected shortly after he was indicted in 2019, but he did not submit the necessary petition signatures to get on the ballot for the 2023 election. The outgoing alderman is expected to stand trial for the federal charges in November.
Backed by mayoral candidate and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, Gutierrez will be the first Latina to represent the 14th Ward, which is 86 percent Hispanic, according to census data.
Gutiérrez works as the district director for county Commissioner Alma Anaya and previously worked as a counselor and in other positions at several Chicago Public Schools.
A staff assistant with the City Clerk’s Office, Reyes previously challenged Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) in the 2015 election, finishing fifth out of six candidates, according to elections results.
Reyes has ties to Burke and his family, according to finance records and media reports. In December, he received a $50,000 donation from former Rep. Dan Burke — Ed Burke’s brother.
Reyes did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
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