Aldermanic races take center stage as February 22 approaches

With the Aldermanic election just around the corner, Our Urban Times will be bringing you a series of stories about and by candidates.

Anne Halliday, new to our writer lineup, brings you information about the candidates in the 35th Ward where Alderman Rey Colon is facing off with challengers Nancy Schiavone and Miguel Sotomayor.

Jack M Silverstein is beginning a seven part series of his "People with Passion" profiles based on interviews conducted from the end of January to early February with aldermanic candidates in the 32nd and 1st Wards.

His stories reference a quote from the 1883 Theodore Roosevelt speech titled "The Duties of American Citizenship." The quote is used in Don Gordon's Piss 'Em All Off, and Silverstein reads it to each candidate to lead to a discussion on term limits. The quote:

"If, on the other hand, [a man] attains public position, let him not strive to plan out for himself a career. I do not think that any man should let himself regard his political career as a means of livelihood, or as his sole occupation in life; for if he does he immediately becomes most seriously handicapped."

Check back each day as Jack presents the candidates' answers to such questions as:

• Biggest surprise in being a candidate or alderman?
• Your opponent's ideas.
• Why should Chicagoans trust you?
• The one issue most pressing to the ward.

A series of Guest Editorials starts with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. providing his statements about issues the city faces, how they may impact his Ward and his plans for the future as he faces challengers in the Feb. 22 election.

We have much more information for you, which will hopefully help you be an informed voter on February 22.