State Rep. Lamont Robinson set to become next alderman of the 4th Ward on the South Side
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In the race to replace Ald. Sophia King, state Rep. Lamont Robinson appeared to be cruising to victory Tuesday over Prentice Butler, King’s chief of staff, in the 4th Ward, representing the South Loop, the Bronzeville lakefront neighborhood, Prairie Shores, South Commons and Kenwood.
Butler conceded Tuesday night. “I appreciate the time of service in the 4th Ward the last 12 years. I’m looking forward to the next phase, the next step of life,” he said. “I’ve learned so much in this campaign, and I thank the community for giving me the opportunity to serve the past decade.”
With 96% of precincts reporting, Robinson had 66% of the vote to 34% for Butler, according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections.
Robinson had the backing of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the 4th Ward’s former five-term alderman and the current head of the Cook County Democratic Party.
Robinson and Butler faced off for the Chicago City Council seat after King chose not to run for reelection and instead made a losing bid to become Chicago’s next mayor. She lost in the first round of voting in February.
A former teacher at City Colleges of Chicago and a State Farm insurance agent, Robinson was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2018. In campaigning for the job, he said he wants to make the jump to the Chicago City Council to “move the needle” on economic development in the ward.
Two massive projects in the ward are the redevelopment of the old Michael Reese Hospital site and the potential One Central development, which, if it ever moves forward, would occupy land in both the 4th Ward and the neighboring 3rd Ward.
Robinson was the top vote-getter in the six-candidate Feb. 28 first round election, garnering 46% of the vote to Butler’s 15%.
In addition to being King’s chief of staff, Butler also worked for King’s predecessor, Ald. Will Burns. On the campaign trail, Butler talked about having the know-how to run the office from day one and the ability to tackle major projects.
