Scott Waguespack
Scott Waguespack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 32nd ward | |
| Assumed office May 21, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Theodore Matlak |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 23, 1970 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jade |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Colorado State University, Fort Collins (BA) Illinois Institute of Technology (JD) |
Scott Waguespack (born June 23, 1970) is a member of the Chicago City Council, representing the 32nd ward since May 2007. The current 32nd ward includes parts of the neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Bucktown, Goose Island, Hamlin Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Roscoe Village.[1][2]
Early life and education
Waguespack earned his undergraduate degree in political science at Colorado State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. After college, he was in the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya.[3] Waguespack also worked with the U.S. State Department, the American Bar Association, and various governments in the Balkans working to assist the War Crimes Tribunal in the former Yugoslavia, establishing a rule of law, and working on economic development. He served as an advisor to the President of Kosovo and the interim government after the end of the Kosovo War.[4]
Waguespack was the city administrator and chief of staff to Berwyn, Illinois mayor Michael A. O'Connor in 2005.
Aldermanic career
Waguespack was first elected as Chicago alderman for the 32nd Ward in 2007, unseating incumbent alderman Ted Matlak. He has subsequently been reelected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
He is a founding member of the Chicago City Council's Progressive Reform Coalition, and has chaired the Progressive Reform Caucus from 2015 to 2019.[5] Waguespack is the Democratic Committeeman for the 32nd ward.[4][6][7][8]
In the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, Waguespack endorsed Lori Lightfoot, publicly declaring his support of her candidacy in advance of the first round of the election.[9] Waguespack was a City Council ally of Lightfoot during her mayoralty.[10][11] He endorsed her for reelection in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election.[12] During Lightfoot's mayoralty, Waguespack chaired the City Council's Committee on Finance.[11]
In January 2020, Waguespack proposed legislation that would have placed limits on single-use plastics and foam food containers by giving restaurants and take-out establishments until January 1, 2021, to stop selling or serving food in polystyrene containers and limit use of plastic utensils and straws.[10][13]
Waguespack currently serves on the following committees – Aviation, Committees and Rules, Economic, Capital and Technology Development, Ethics and Government Oversight, Finance, License and Consumer Protection, Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation, and Transportation and Public Way.[4]
Parking Meter Deal
To close the City of Chicago’s 2009 budget deficit, Mayor Richard M. Daley proposed leasing Chicago’s parking meters to a private investor for 75 years in exchange for a one-time $1.15 billion payment, most of which was spent in the next two years. Despite only a few days between the introduction of the Chicago Metered Parking System Concession Agreement and its passage, Waguespack was one of only five members of the City Council who voted against it.[14] Waguespack conducted an independent study of the sale, later cited in the City of Chicago Inspector General’s report on the sale, concluding that the $1.15 billion paid in the contract was substantially less than the actual value of the asset over the proposed time period.[15]
Actions on housing
In 2012, Waguespack pushed to reduce the number of units in a proposed apartment building on the site of a gas station on North and Hermitage avenues. Initially proposed to be a five-story building with 44 units, Waguespack pushed to scale it down to a 30-unit 4-story building.[16]
In 2017, Waguespack blocked a proposed 6-story 27-unit apartment building on a vacant industrial lot at 1894 N. Milwaukee Ave in his district. Waguespack had concerns about the height of the building.[17]
In 2024, Waguespack sought his aldermanic privilege to block a 615-unit apartment building (of which 124 units were affordable housing) on the lot of a former industrial site in his ward.[18][19][20] Waguespack offered various explanations for opposing the increase in housing supply, including saying the building was too tall, the building would lead to congestion, and criticizing that the developer received tax breaks for including affordable housing units.[18][19][20] Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed for the building despite Waguespack's opposition.[19]
Government Transparency
Since his inauguration in 2007, Waguespack has been dedicated to government transparency and ethics reform. In 2009, Waguespack and Alderman Manny Flores passed the TIF Sunshine Ordinance, establishing transparency requirements around Chicago’s TIF districts.[21]
Upon assuming the role of chair of the City Council’s Committee on Finance in 2019, a position long held by Alderman Ed Burke, Waguespack began reforming the Committee’s handling of worker’s compensation, reducing headcount, and reducing spending.[22]
Waguespack has been a frequent critic of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, especially of his ethics practices. In response to Johnson’s continued employment with Chicago Public Schools, Waguespack introduced an ordinance in early 2025 prohibiting the mayor and other executive officials from dual employment with sister agencies.[23] Waguespack also introduced a resolution with City Clerk Anna Valencia calling for more oversight of mayoral appointments to boards and commissions.[24]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Ted Matlak (incumbent) | 3,799 | 46.86 | |
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack | 3,186 | 39.30 | |
| Nonpartisan | Catherine A. Zaryczny | 1,122 | 13.84 | |
| Total votes | 8,107 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack | 4,179 | 50.73 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ted Matlak (incumbent) | 4,058 | 49.27 | |
| Total votes | 8,237 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack (incumbent) | 8,845 | 65.83 | |
| Nonpartisan | David M. Pavlik | 2,322 | 17.28 | |
| Nonpartisan | Brian P. Lynch | 1,489 | 11.08 | |
| Nonpartisan | Brian Gorman | 781 | 5.81 | |
| Total votes | 13,437 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack (incumbent) | 6,425 | 78.95 | |
| Nonpartisan | Elise Doody-Jones | 1,713 | 21.05 | |
| Total votes | 8,138 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack (incumbent) | 11,519 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 11,519 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Scott Waguespack (incumbent) | 12,537 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 12,537 | 100 | ||
References
- ^ "Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward | Your Chicago City Council: Our guide to all 50 aldermen. By Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
- ^ "Alderman,-32nd-Ward:-Scott-Waguespack – Chicago Sun-Times". Suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
- ^ "About | 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack". Scottforchicago.com. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
- ^ a b c Cox, Ted (2013-03-12). "Progressive Aldermen Unite, Vow to End 'Business as Usual'". DNA Info Chicago. Archived from the original on 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Who We Are". chicagoprogressivecaucus.com. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ "List of Ward Officials". Cook County. Archived from the original on 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Vote totals, 32nd Ward Democratic Committeeman". Chgo Bd of Elections. 2012-03-06. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
- ^ "Fritchey drops out of 32nd Ward committeeman's race". Chicago Suntimes. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
- ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Chicago alderman's plan would ban foam packaging in restaurants and reduce the use of plastic utensils, straws and more". Chicago Tribune. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ a b Myers, Quinn (29 November 2022). "Ald. Scott Waguespack Will Run Unopposed To Represent Bucktown, West Lakeview". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ Hinz, Greg (1 February 2023). "Ald. Tom Tunney backs Paul Vallas for mayor". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (15 January 2020). "Restaurants worry about cost of proposed limits on single-use plastics and foam food containers". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ Tribune, Chicago (23 August 2021). "Boxed in by parking deal?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ Hoffman, David (2 June 2009). "REPORT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEASE OF THE CITY'S PARKING METERS" (PDF). igchicago.org. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Residents Vote Down Four-Story Apartment Building at North and Hermitage". DNAinfo Chicago. 2012.
- ^ Hauser, Alisa (2017-12-20). "Six-story, 27-unit apartment building in Bucktown gets support from community at public meeting". Medium Chicago Cityscape’s Blog.
- ^ a b "Mayor Brandon Johnson narrowly avoids showdown over North Side development plan". Chicago Tribune. 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b c "After fiery City Council showdown, Sterling Bay project avoids final rejection". Crain's Chicago Business. 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b "Sterling Bay's high-rise apartment project tests aldermanic privilege". The Real Deal. 2024-06-18.
- ^ Gardiner, Kate (22 April 2009). "Sunshine Ordinance Passes". Chicagoist. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ Cherone, Heather (30 August 2020). "After Investigation Forced Ald. Burke to Yield Control of Finance Committee, City Saved $1M: Annual Audit". WTTW. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ McDevitt, Michael (21 January 2025). "Waguespack ordinance would prohibit mayor, executive officials from dual roles with sister agencies". The Daily Line. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ Fran, Spielman (12 March 2025). "City clerk wants closer scrutiny of CTA, CPS, Chicago's other sister agencies". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Public Media.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007 A.D." (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTARY ALDERPERSON ELECTIONS HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN WARDS 2, 3, 15, 11, 16, 18, 21, 24, 32, 35, 43, 49, AND 50, IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO ON TUESDAY, APRIL 177, 2007 A.D." (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 22, 2011 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 24, 2015 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 26, 2019 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 28, 2023 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
