In the race to represent the South Side's 5th Ward, which includes the University of Chicago and future site of the Obama Presidential Center, two candidates are at odds over gentrification near Jackson Park. Desmon Yancy, a community organizer backed by major progressive groups, is facing off against Martina "Tina" Hone, an attorney who most recently headed up engagement for outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The central issue in this contest involves preventing displacement in the South Shore neighborhood due to development around Jackson Park. Voters from nearly a dozen precincts have widely supported an advisory referendum asking their new alderman and mayor to back legislation creating a community benefits agreement (CBA) for that purpose.
Yancy has expressed strong support for implementing such agreements as part of his campaign platform: "A CBA would protect housing affordability in our communities while ensuring fair distribution of resources," he said during a recent candidate forum.
On the other hand, Hone stated she does not wholly endorse CBAs: "While I understand concerns about gentrification near Jackson Park," she explained during her address at one event. "I cannot say I wholeheartedly support this specific CBA proposal without further evaluation."
Cook County polls closed at 7 p.m., with five candidates selected for upcoming elections—incumbent Debbie Chafee CPA; challenger John Gawel; incumbent Lauren Potokar business owner who was appointed last year onto NP Dist.117 school board; Steve Olson elected Franklin City Council member along with fellow conservative John Nelson both claiming they're best suited based on experience or interpersonal skills respectively—with many across city choosing new alderpersons too after reading full candidate profiles provided online earlier today