The Chicago aldermanic races will not take place until next year, but in the 46th Ward ( which includes Uptown, Buena Park and East Lakeview ) things are already heating up.
At least one openly gay individual is running for the position as James Cappleman told Windy City Times that he "absolutely intends" to run for alderman. Cappleman's Web site, www.JamesForChange.com, still contains information from his last run in 2007, when he lost a very close race to current Alderman Helen Shiller. However, he said that the site will be updated "in a couple months."
In an e-mail to Windy City Times, Cappelman stated, "I'm running because I am the frontrunner and have the best chances of winning against Ald. Shiller should she decide to run for a sixth term. No other candidate has my campaign experience, my name recognition, and my record of service throughout the ward.
"As it was true the last time ( despite what was promoted by the incumbent ) , this is not a campaign to get rid of any groups of people or to make the 46th Ward into Lincoln Park. It's not about promoting a war between [ two ] different groups of people.
"It's about building on the shared values of the community and working together for the benefit of all. It's about setting up a process of inclusion that invites and encourages community input. And it's about setting up systems that promote reform and an end to pay-to-play politics."
Cappleman has served as board president of LGBT Catholic organization Dignity Chicago. In addition, he has been very active in the HIV/AIDS community, having, among other things, co-founded a homeless shelter for people living with the disease in the late 1980s.
At least two other individuals are intending to run. Gerald Farinas ( www.Chicago46.com ) is running on a "weed and seed" program that would "weed out" criminals and "seed" human-services program, according to his Web site; he counts Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and entertainer Miss Foozie among his Facebook supporters. Police officer Michael Carroll ( www.Carroll46.com ) , who is completing his master's degree thesis in public policy and administration at Northwestern University, is also running; his platform includes, among other things, an "open and honest government."
