AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/29th-ward/)
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners officially declared Ald. Chris Taliaferro the winner in the 29th Ward after a close runoff with CB Johnson. Members of the new 15th and 25th Police District Councils will officially begin their roles on Tuesday.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro held a slight lead Tuesday night over challenger CB Johnson, with less than 100 votes separating the two candidates and more than 1,600 mail-in ballots yet to be counted.
For the first time since the Feb. 28th election, incumbent Ald. Chris Taliaferro fell below the required 50.1% needed to win another four-year term on the Chicago City Council. An April 4th runoff seems likely.
As of March 6, Taliaferro had received 4,853 votes in the Feb. 28th election – or 50.37% of the votes cast, while challenger CB Johnson had received 3,881 votes – or 40.28% of the vote. In the 15th Police District Council race, a handful of votes separate three candidates vying for the last seat on that new body.
Ald. Emma Mitts is headed to another four-year term on the Chicago City Council, while Ald. Chris Taliaferro may still face a runoff, depending on the mail-in ballots still coming in and being processed. Voters also elected three members to both the 15th and 25th Police District Councils. And Austin resident Brandon Johnson appeared headed to a runoff in the mayoral election against former CPS CEO Paul Vallas.
Tensions rose as some residents argued the restaurants’ request to sell alcohol on site violates the moratorium in the area, while others voiced their support.
Candidates discussed public safety, economic development, housing and mental health, among other key topics Austin residents are considering as they vote in the Feb. 28th local election.
Incumbents Chris Taliaferro and Emma Mitts could face up to three contenders on the Feb. 28th ballot, depending on whether objections are filed and how election officials rule. Several candidates also filed to run for the newly created 15th and 25th Police District Councils.
Saturday is the deadline for residents to submit their ideas about which projects they want to be considered for funding through participatory budgeting.
In an interview, the longtime congressman explains why he was able to beat challenger Kina Collins for a second time. Ald. Taliaferro says he intends to run again for the city council.