Chicago cop Peter Chico to become the next alderman of the Southeast Side’s 10th Ward
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A Southeast Side cop appeared well on his way to defeating a workers’ rights advocate to take over representing the sprawling 10th Ward in the Chicago City Council.
With Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza joining a South Side exodus from the council, the runoff election ballot features South Chicago District police Officer Peter Chico and Ana Guajardo, who co-founded the United Workers’ Center.
Chico held a big lead in the head-to-head contest to represent the Hegewisch and East Side neighborhoods. With 96% of precincts reporting, he had 60% of the vote, to 40% for Guajardo, according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections.
Chico said his Police Department job made him well positioned to tackle the public safety concerns because he already has relationships and expertise.
Guajardo campaigned saying she wants to see more police officers in the streets to build relationships and trust in the community and said she would like to hire more detectives to solve crimes. Additionally, the community needs to invest in anti-violence programs, she said.
In addition to crime, Chico will also be expected to tackle the environmental problems that are at the top of residents’ lists of concerns thanks to air quality issues from the heavy industry in the ward.
Both candidates received important endorsements. Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 and the local Fraternal Order of Police backed Chico, as did the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Sadlowski Garza and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García supported Guajardo. She also got endorsements from several unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Chicago Federation of Labor.
