Better Know An Alderman: Mary O'Connor, 41st Ward

" The 41st Ward, which includes the Far Northwest Side neighborhoods of Edison Park, Oriole Park and Norwood Park, as well as O’Hare Airport, has been described as “quasi-suburban.” It’s a popular residence for cops, firefighters and other municipal employees who have to live in the city, but don’t desire an urban lifestyle. Until the election of Ald. Mary O’Connor, in 2011, it was the only ward represented by a Republican on the City Council. The ward’s attractions include the city’s oldest building, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, which dates back to 1833, Taft High School, the inspiration for the musical Grease, and a great strip of French and Italian restaurants along Northwest Highway, including Café Touche, Zia’s Trattoria, Nonno Pino's, and Moretti’s Ristorante.

1. What has been your most significant achievement as alderman? I’m very pleased that the 41st Ward has seen a series of important infrastructure improvements over the last year. We are addressing water and sewer issues, utilities, roads, bridges, transit stations and an increasing number of street resurfacing projects. We have a lot more work to get done, but I’m confident we are headed in the right direction.

2. Why and when did you decide to run for the City Council? I made my decision to run for alderman of the 41st Ward in the summer of 2009. I have a great amount of respect for the generations of residents before me that worked so hard on making our ward the best place in Chicago to call home and I wanted to build on that legacy.  I grew up in the area and I just felt that our corner of the city wasn’t living up to its full potential. As a small business owner and president of my local business chamber, I felt I had a unique perspective on how best to implement a real revitalization. "

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