Several incumbent aldermen sailed to victory

In more than half of the 19 predominantly Black wards, incumbent aldermen retained their seats –– some easily and a few squeaked out a win.

Alds. Bob Fioretti (2^nd), Pat Dowell (3^rd), Leslie Hairston (5^th), Sandi Jackson (7^th), Michelle Harris (8^th), Anthony Beale (9^th), Howard Brookins (21^st), Walter Burnett (27^th), Carrie Austin (34^th) and Emma Mitts (37^th) garnered more than 50 percent of the vote shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m.

Narrowly avoiding a runoff was Alds. Lola Lane (18^th), Jason Ervin (28^th) and Deborah Graham (29^th). Ervin and Graham were appointed by outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley after Ed Smith retired from his 28^th Ward post and Isaac Carothers resigned after pleading guilty to corruption.

Former state Rep. Will Burns won the 4^th Ward seat left vacant by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender