James Cappleman, alderman since 2011 for the North Side’s 46th Ward encompassing parts of Lakeview and Uptown, announced Tuesday he will not run for reelection next year.
“I feel fortunate to be doing work that I enjoy every day, but I also know it feels right for me to move on to another adventure with the assurance that our community is now in a good place to keep moving forward to accomplish more,” he said in a newsletter announcing his retirement, which will take effect in May 2023.
In making his announcement, Cappleman, 69, counted as key accomplishments of his nearly 12 years in office the renovation of the CTA’s Wilson stop and nearby historic Gerber building, the “blossoming” of Uptown’s entertainment district and “dramatic lows” in local violent crime. But the former social worker and onetime seminarian also has faced criticism for how he’s handled gentrification in the ward and issues with homelessness and crime. Cappleman himself was hit repeatedly with part of a broken table last year when he was visiting what he called a “problem corner” in Uptown with his husband, Richard.
Cappleman also said the 46th Ward has made significant strides in addressing affordable housing.
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“While other wards have struggled to keep affordable housing, the 46th Ward gained, with two more 100% affordable residential buildings starting construction this year,” he said. “Dilapidated buildings have become restored historic structures and vacant lots have new residential developments that offer a wide range of rents, including affordable housing.”
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After emerging from a crowded field to succeed former Ald. Helen Shiller in 2011, Cappleman’s reelection bids were tight races. He was pushed into runoffs in both 2019 and 2015 — earning roughly 45% of the vote in each initial round. In 2019, he eked out a runoff victory by just 25 votes. At least three candidates have already filed paperwork to run for the 46th Ward seat in 2023.
Asked about Cappleman’s exit, Mayor Lori Lightfoot described him as “the conscience of City Council.”
“He has made a determination that after many years of service he’s going to turn in a different direction and I salute him for that,” she said, adding that the pandemic had “caused a lot of people to rethink where their life is, how they’re investing their time and their talents. Elected officials are not immune from that. I’ve seen a lot of my colleagues across the country, other mayors, who said, ‘You know what? I’ve been on the front lines, I’ve given the full measure of everything that I have, and it’s time for me to move in a different direction.’ … So it’s not a surprise that this is coming after what we’ve been through over the course of the past year.”
“Later this summer, there will be some exciting announcements about more plans for the 46th Ward,” Cappleman said in the newsletter. “This means I will have to work double time to get these final commitments done.”
Cappleman is expected to be one of several aldermen exiting the City Council following the completion of the current four-year term. Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, who last year was indicted on federal bribery charges, announced she would not run for reelection, and 24th Ward Ald. Michael Scott stepped down to head into the private sector earlier this year. Others, such as Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, and Roderick Sawyer, 6th, are running for mayor, meaning they are forgoing their seats on the council in the 2023 elections.
Chicago Tribune Gregory Pratt contributed.
