NBC Chicago and Ward Room bring you profiles on all 50 wards this election season. As candidates face off in the Feb. 24 election, they are also facing a new ward map, which takes effect when the winners assume office.
In this profile, learn all about the 10th ward, which covers parts of Southeast Side, including South Chicago, East Side, South Deering, Calumet Heights, Hegewisch and Arizona.
Demographic
- Total Population: 51,535
- White: 17.77 percent
- Black: 18.02 percent
- Hispanic: 63.23 percent
- Asian: 0.38 percent (Source: WBEZ)
Current Alderman: John Pope
Ward Committeemen: John Pope (democratic committeeman), Thomas Malesh (republican committeeman) and Joseph Barton (Green Party committeeman)
Who Else is Running: Olga Bautista, Frank Corona, Juan Huizar, Richard Martinez, Susan Sadlowski-Garza and Samantha Webb
Adjectives that Describe the Ward: Toxic, working class, forgotten, closely-knit. South Deering residents refer to their community as "Slag Valley" due to the industrial waste.
Chicago Politics
Predominant Economic Engine: Ford Motor Company's Chicago Assembly Plant as well as a few local businesses. Steel mills and industrial plants used to be the main economic engine, but they are all gone now. Several local businesses also left the community when the steel mills closed down.
Where People Eat: Club 81 Too, Calumet Bakery, Pucci's Restaurant and Pizzeria, The Green Olive, Calumet Fisheries and several Mexican restaurants
Where People Drink: The Green Olive, Lemon Tree Too and Frank's Tap and Grill
Where People Pray: St. Kevin Parish and St. Florian
How the Ward Typically Votes: John Pope was first elected in 1999. In 2007, he won 70 percent of the vote, defeating Dinah Ramirez (19 percent) and Thomas Malesh (11 percent). In 2011, Pope won 59 percent of the vote, defeating Richard Martinez (36 percent), Joe Nasella (4 percent) and Jose Leon (1 percent).
Landmarks: Calumet Park, Harbour Point Estates (Chicago's only trailer park) and the city's last remaining sawmill, located in Hegewisch
Resident's Voice: Mike Garcia, an employee at Calumet Fisheries, said the biggest thing the ward needs to grow is more jobs.
Ward Expert: Cynthia Ogorek, author, public speaker and history advocate for the Calumet region of Illinois and Indiana
