Another Chicago alderman to retire: Ald. Harry Osterman says he’s not running for reelection

Ald. Harry Osterman, who has represented parts of Uptown, Edgewater and Andersonville for more than a decade, said Friday that he is stepping down at the end of his term next year.

The alderman of the 48th Ward since 2011, Osterman said in a notice through his newsletter that he will not run for a fourth term in the February 2023 city election. He joins several members of City Council who have said they are either retiring or not seeking another term on the council to run for a different office.

“As someone who deeply loves this community this was not an easy decision,” Osterman wrote. “However, I feel that the time is right to make this transition.”

Osterman, a former longtime Illinois state representative before being elected alderman, is the son of ex-Ald. Kathy Osterman, who represented the same ward in the late 1980s. Harry Osterman was facing a potential challenge from community organizer Nick Ward, who has tweeted his intent to run for office.

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In his statement announcing his plans to not run for reelection, Osterman said over the past decade he’s worked to improve safety in the ward, expanded park programs, worked on infrastructure issues in the neighborhoods and expanded the arts and theater community. He said a new Metra station and a modernization program for the CTA’s Red and Purple lines “will give our community vastly improved public transportation options.”

In his final months as alderman, he said his goals will include improving pedestrian safety along Broadway, advancing an affordable housing building in Edgewater by the developer Bickerdike and overseeing the establishment of a new police oversight board that he has pushed for as a co-sponsor of the measure in the council.

The council approved the new police board last year. It will be led by civilians and is the product of years of advocacy from community members who say Chicago residents need more input in policing and public safety. But the final ordinance that passed did not grant the commission all the powers grassroots activists originally wanted, such as the power to fire the police superintendent, and allows the mayor broad ability to veto its decisions.

Osterman’s decision is the latest move by an incumbent alderman on the council, which will see many new faces next year.

Earlier this month, fellow North Side Ald. James Cappleman, 46th, also announced he was not running for reelection.

Ald. George Cardenas, 12th, also will be exiting the council before the end of his term. He won the Democratic primary last month to serve on Cook County’s Board of Review and is so far unopposed in the November election.

Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, who was indicted on federal bribery charges, has also announced she’s retiring at the end of the term.

Last month, 24th Ward Ald. Michael Scott stepped down to head into the private sector and was replaced by his sister Monique Scott via mayoral appointment. Still others, such as Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, and Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, are running for mayor, so they are unable to run for reelection as City Council members.

Meanwhile, former 11th Ward Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was forced to vacate his seat in February after being convicted of felony tax fraud. Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Nicole Lee as his replacement.

Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, the longest-serving alderman in city history, also is under scrutiny after being charged with racketeering and other counts in 2019. But his trial is not set until after the 2023 election. He has not announced whether he is seeking a 14th term as alderman.

ayin@chicagotribune.com