News Archives
Meet the new bosses
Chicago Tribune editorial, Apr 18, 2007
"Chicago should have high expectations for Scott Waguespack, who beat Dan Rostenkowski's once-powerful organization in the 32nd Ward."
Election results
Chicago Journal, Apr 18, 2007
We took out the machine
Waguespack defeats Matlak in nail-biting 32nd Ward race
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Apr 18, 2007
"It was a virtual tie until the very last precinct, but the 32nd Ward got anew alderman Tuesday night, with Scott Waguespack beating out incumbent Ted Matlak by just 122 votes."
76-year reign teeters in 32nd Ward Rostenkowski dynasty in runoff after neighborhoods change
by Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times, Apr 14, 2007
Matlak gets schooled
by Mick Dumke, Chicago Reader, Clout City, Apr 14, 2007
Check indicate linke between Zaryczny, Vrdolyak in 32nd Ward race
by Mary Corrado, Inside Publications, Apr 11-17, 2007
Waguespack sues Matlak for defamation
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Apr 11, 2007
Waguespack said. "This is serious. The alderman and who ever's been assisting him have been lying to voters. This goes beyond the bounds of decency for any campaign."
Lawsuit in 32nd Ward race
by Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Tribune Clout Street political blog, Apr 10, 2007
"Aldermanic challenger Scott Waguespack filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court today against his rival in next week's runoff election, Ald. Ted Matlak (32nd).
Waguespack alleges that he was defamed by a Matlak campaign ad that falsely states that he 'was fired for doing politics on taxpayer time.' "
Alderman race in 32nd Ward all about change
By Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Tribune, Apr 5, 2007
New residents in the 32nd Ward have brought new expectations of their Alderman. This story first appeared on the Home page of ChicagoTribune.com.
Campaign Controversy Hits Alderman Matlack Days Before Runoff Election (Video)
by Dane Placko, Fox News Chicago, Apr 4, 2007
"There's a new campaign controversy in Chicago's 32nd Ward which features a run-off election between Alderman Ted Matlak and newcomer Scott Waguespack. The challenger is crying foul after Matlak's campaign website got linked to his official aldermanic page on the City of Chicago website."
Getting personal in the 32nd Ward
Campaign rhetoric hits below the belt in final weeks
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Apr 4, 2007
One mailer sent to 32nd Ward residents about two weeks ago pictures an actor playing Waguespack in handcuffs. "If you impersonate a lawyer,it is a crime," the flier reads.
"I've never practiced law, and I've never portrayed myself as a practicing lawyer," Waguespack said in a recent interview. "I think it is outrageous and shameful for Ted Matlak to say that."
Tribune endorsements
Chicago Tribune, Apr 4, 2007
The Chicago Tribune affirmed its endorsements today including the endorsement of Scott Waguespack for 32nd Ward Alderman.
Lawyerin' up
by Chicagoist, Apr 3, 2007
The Chicagoist confronts false accusations from the 32nd Ward Regular Dems that I've campaigned as a practicing lawyer. Far from that, I've gone to great lengths to be clear that while I earned a JD degree from law school, I've never practiced law.
"...nothing we've seen in his campaign literature, or his history indicates that he ever claimed to be. He did earn a law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and has been endorsed by several professors there, as well as other lawyers in the area."
Smackdown gets down and dirty
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Mar 21, 2007
The BCO hosted their second Candidates Forum on Tuesday. While there was some discussion of Bucktown's schools (only one of the elementary schools is considered excellent and there are few spots available therefor neighborhood children), the questions asked of the candidates focused mainly on development.
"Waguespack said he would work more openly with community organizations to make them aware of tear downs and major developments before they happen."
"...developers[are] requesting zoning changes in order to build new structures that are out of scale with neighboring homes... City Hall just rewrote the... zoning code in 2004...[the City] spent a few million dollars...rewriting the 1957 [zoning] code," Waguespack said...and what our alderman has gone back and done is spot-zoned throughout this ward..."
Aldermanic runoffs: Matlak vs Waguespack in 32nd...
by Jeff Borgardt, Inside Publications, Mar 7-13, 2007
"Waguespack said he was pleased to emerge from the field as the candidate to take on the alderman one-on-one.
Waguespack said he, 'knocked on a lot of doors' in order to stress his message on taxes, education, and the elimination of city waste and corruption."
Surprise endorsement in 32nd ward
by Ben Javorsky, Chicago Reader - Clout City blog, Mar 5, 2007
"It was only a few weeks ago that Catherine Zaryczny was blasting 32nd Ward alderman Ted Matlak, calling him an unresponsive and unaccountable individual ...Today she pulled a surprising 180 degree turn, endorsing Matlak in the April 27 runoff against Scott Waguespack."
Shakeup in 32nd Ward runoff
by Laura Putre, Chicago Journal, Mar 5, 2007
Waguespack said of Zaryczny's support of Matlak: "...It's unfortunate that the people who voted for her thought they were getting ... reform, and all they're getting is the same old politics."
Matlak and Waguespack headed for runoff election
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Feb 27, 2007
WEB EXTRA - Video of Waguespack on election night.
The days of machine politics are over in the 32nd Ward, according to runoff aldermanic candidate Scott Waguespack, who overcame a three-way race on Election Day to face Alderman Ted Matlak in the April 17 runoff election.
"We're all fighting for the same things, good government and clean elections."
The Race to be 32nd Ward Alderman (Audio)
by Diantha Parker, Chicago Public Radio, Eight-Forty Eight, Feb 23, 2007
Chicago Public Radio's Diantha Parker reports on what the fight for alderman in the northwest side 32nd Ward says about old-style machine politics and newcomers.
City Council Campaign Notebook (Audio)
by Steve Edwards, Chicago Public Radio, Eight-Forty Eight, Feb 22, 2007
Chicago Journal Managing Editor Haydn Bush discusses some of the aldermanic races he's been covering.
Wards to the wise, part 2
by Gewargis Canon and Leah Pietrusiak, Time Out - Chicago, Issue 104, Feb 22-28, 2007
A few of the facts are wrong but they got the right conclusion!
Where is it? Lakeview, Clybourn Corridor, Roscoe Village, Bucktown
Why would you go there?Kitschy boutiques and eateries. Maybe one day for the BloomingdaleTrail, a proposed park on an elevated railbed that also runs through the 1st, 26th and 35th Wards.
What are people pissed about? Cookie-cutter condos. Tear downs of historic buildings without notice.
Who will rule the land? Scott Waguespack,a local Democratic Party operative, was born in the ward and could trump Ald. Ted Matlak's insider and cash advantages. Though weakened by an influx of politically apathetic newcomers, Matlak's machinery is nothing to sneeze at.
Chicago Journal Endorsements
Chicago Journal, Feb 21, 2007
Scott Waguespack for 32nd Ward Alderman
Chicago Tribune endorses Scott Waguespack
Chicago Tribune, Feb 15, 2007
"32ndWard (North Side): There's plenty of bad blood between Ald. Ted Matlak and some community groups over development issues in this ward. A change would be for the best. The best chance for that rests with Scott Waguespack, who is administrative coordinator for the city of Berwyn. He promises to be more responsive to the community, and we're confident he would run a more open, transparent office. He is endorsed."
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board interviews (Video)
Chicago Tribune, Feb 15, 2007
32nd Ward candidates meet with the Tribune Editorial Board. The interview that led the Tribune to endorse Scott.
Connecting the Dots
by Kevin Robinson, Chicagoist, Feb 15, 2007
"With February 27 primed to be a day for aldermanic turnover, our money is on Waguespack."
Patronage Play in 32nd Ward
by Ray Quintanilla, Clout Street - Chicago Tribune's local political blog, Feb 15, 2007
The Tribune covered the South Lakeview Neighbor's candidates forum that went on despite the near-blizzard. "...the day after the forum, 32nd Ward Democratic precinct captain Lester Cioch was charged with doing political work for the mayor's campaign on city time in December."
"The only way to stop political corruption is to vote out of office those who participate in it, encourage it, rely on it, or act dumb to it," Waguespack said.
Chicago Journal endorses Scott Waguespack
Chicago Journal, Feb 14, 2007
"Matlak has displayed little but disrespect and condescension to the community,and it's time for the community to do something about it. Namely, vote him out of office. "
"After careful consideration... we have to give ... the endorsement-to Scott Waguespack because he not only would be effective on the ward level, he has real-life experience working inter-departmentally in city government. "
Chicago employee charged for political work
By Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Tribune, Feb 14, 2007
Lester Cioch,a Water Management Department supervisor, was charged with violating state and city ethics laws that prohibit public employees from doing political work while on the clock...
He(Cioch) joined the 32nd Ward Democrats three years ago and recently campaigned for Ald. Theodore Matlak (32nd), who is running for re-election.
Matlak challenger Scott Waguespack seized on the charges to criticize the incumbent, saying the Cioch case indicates that "clout is alive and well in the 32nd Ward."
City Worker Indicted - Tied to 32nd Ward
Feb 14, 2007
Press Release from the City of Chicago, Office of the Inspector General
Ward races zone in on development plans
by Ray Quintanilla, Chicago Tribune & RedEye, Feb 9, 2007
The Chicago Tribune has picked up the on-going story of zoning issues in the 32nd Ward. This story appeared page 1 of the Tribune Metro section, on the Tribune home page under "local breaking news", and in RedEye.
"At the spot where the Artful Dodger once stood in Bucktown, a City Council hopeful spoke recently to potential voters... 'That mansion is so out of place...', said Scott Waguespack, who is challenging Ald. Ted Matlak (32nd) in the Feb. 27 election."
Cost of Clout
by Abdon M. Pallasch & Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 4, 2007
Throughout my campaign I've discussed the direct connection between our property taxes and waste & corruption in Chicago government. This Chicago Sun-Times article informs us of a "$12million fund to compensate people denied City Hall jobs or promotions because of politics".
Bringing Zoning Into the 21st Century
by Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader, Feb 2, 2007
"Upzoning is a hot-button issue in the tight race for the 32nd Ward, but Alderman Ted Matlak is still a fan."
"I think when you're basically carpet bombing the ward with spot zoning you're throwing your whole zoning map out of whack," says Waguespack. "It's out of control."
Matlak targeted in 32nd
by Anitra Rowe, Booster-Bucktown, Jan 31, 2007
"Candidates challenging Ald. Ted Matlak in the 32nd Ward are speaking out on what they view as an ongoing cycle of corruption in Matlak's office."
"...Scott Waguespack ...brought attention to the Tomczak testimony..."
"Matlak continues to rely on patronage for political support."
YouTubin' the Locals,
by Richard F. Carnahan, Gapers Block - Revenge of the Second City, Jan 31, 2007
The blog, Gapers Block, assessed my YouTube video calling for an end to spending our tax dollars on government waste & corruption and instead spending that money on schools, parks and services.
"This Scott Waguespack character is just gosh-durned likeable.How can you not like somebody who ends a good government reform proposal with this sentence: 'Who knows, maybe we'll stop some of that government waste.' "
32nd Ward challengers call for new leadership
by Anitra Rowe, Booster-Lakeview, Jan 31, 2007
"Spirited debate filled the Hamlin Park field house last week, as three 32nd Ward aldermanic candidates sparred off on community issues."
"If we don't get new leadership downtown," Waguespack said, "things are going to stay the same way."
Challengers accuse Matlak of pay-to-play politics
by Tim Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Jan 31, 2007
"Clout and pay-to-play politics is alive and well in the 32nd Ward. Ted Matlak hasn't cleaned up his act and continues to rely on political patronage, despite all the federal investigations, trials, and convictions of crooked politicians." Waguespack said
"Waguespack said if elected alderman, he would institute office policies banning ward office employees from donating to or participating in [his] political campaigns."
Now is the time to speak
Editorial, Chicago Journal, Jan 31, 2007
"The ...race for alderman in the 32nd Ward is heating up..."
"Scott Waguespack...identified several individuals from the federal government's "clout list"..."
A friend like Scott,
Letter to the Editor by Aqeel Hajer, Chicago Journal, Jan 31, 2007
"I have watched and learned about this country from him over the years, and I know that he does the job right and does not stop until it is done."
Foot Soldiers
by Kevin Robinson, Chicagoist, Jan 30, 2007
"Two aldermanic races that are shaping up to be real contests in the city have drawn a lot of attention..."
"higher-profile candidates... Scott Waguespack, have gotten endorsements..."
Aldermen Stone, Matlak Loom as 2007 Casualties,
Analysis and Opinion by Russ Stewart, Jan 24, 2007
"This year Aldermen Ted Matlak (32nd) ... poised to be among the losers --Matlak for his ineptitude in his increasingly affluent, upscale ward,encompassing Wicker Park and Bucktown."
"The ward just ain't what it used to be...The new 32nd Ward residents...are unimpressed with Matlak. They view him largely as an ineffective,inarticulate dolt. And they are impressed with Waguespack."
"My prediction: ...Matlak will lose."
Two Races We're Watching
by Kevin Robinson, Chicagoist, Jan18, 2007
"Thetwo races that keep us most interested, for the sheer passion andpotential to shake things up, are in the 32nd and the 50th Wards."
"In the 32nd Ward, Scott Waguespack,who is challenging Ted Matlak for Alderman, has opened a new campaign headquarters and will be hosting events most weeks leading up to the election. Aside from being a credible challenger to Matlak, this race is interesting because the winner will define the direction of the ward. "
Charges fly in 32nd Ward forum
by Tim Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, Jan 17, 2007
"I'm glad we got to listen to Manny Flores because it sounds like they're getting a lot done in the 1st Ward, " [Waguespack] said... Matlak,however, challenged Flores' account of accomplishments for the 1stWard...
..."Who on the Hired Truck gave me money?" Matlak said. "...I was told that none of the campaign accounts I control had anything to do with the Hired Truck scandal."
Waguespack...later provided the names of the Hired Truck-linked trucking company... which gave ... to the 32nd Ward Regular Democratic Organization... Matlak is listed as one of the committee candidates for the 32nd Ward Regular Democratic Organization.
Waguespack... would send all zoning decisions to neighborhood organizations.
"Noone's saying we have to yield aldermanic power to the community groups," Waguespack said. "All we have to do is yield information... You deserve to know what's going on in your ward."
Aldermaniacs! The Contenders in Chicago's 32nd and 43rd Wards
by Carter O'Brien, keepgoing.org, Winter 2006
"...you could count on a non-response from Mr. Matlak's office, which told me and various neighbors numerous times 'Well, whaddya expect us to do about it?'... Scott Waguespack knows what needs to be done about it. It's called listening to your constituency..."
"The momentum is shifting in Waguespack's favor, as people see a proven political reformer as a viable alternative."
Tier Two Aldermanic Races
by Richard F. Carnahan, Gapers Block - Revenge of the Second City, December 20, 2006
"...this time around Matlak has much more serious competition. Scott Waguespak has real brawling election experience and is waging a serious bid,with his main weapon being shoe leather. Waguespak has been working the ward hard, introducing himself to his neighbors personally and trying to blunt Matlak's enormous cash advantage with real organizing. "
No accountability on murals
Chicago Journal Editorial, December 20, 2006.
Developer and alderman silent on mural removal... Association House at 2150 W. North Ave
Neighbors and one of the artists were surprised...murals were being sandblasted...without any notice or explanation.Tholke and other contractors working at the site passed the buck, which ultimately lies at the doorstep of developer Krzysztof Karbowski of MCMRealty...
Matlak should hold MCM Realty accountable for its actions and show the public that he cares about their concerns. Instead, like many other decisions that are made in the ward by the alderman, he says one thing and simply does another, hoping that no one will notice.
The Race for 32
by Kevin Robinson, Chicagoist, December 18, 2006
Last week ended with 144 aldermanic candidates having filed nominating petitions...Several races have piqued our interest, in particular the race in the 32nd Ward...the campaign of Scott Waguespack has piqued our interest the most....
A Sleeping Tiger in the 32nd Ward
by Leah Nylen, The Methods Reporter, November 30, 2006
On a brisk Saturday morning in November, Scott Waguespack rang the bell of a two-story brown brick home on West Barry Avenue and waited...
Chicago Preservationists Decry Condo Mania
Daily Real Estate News, Realtor Magazine Online, November 9, 2006
...Matlak acknowledges that he has used his authority to alter zoning requirements for particular lots, known as the "aldermanic privilege,"to enable developers to put up bigger structures than allowed under city zoning ordinances. Some alderman approve spot zoning without first consulting residents.
Long hours on election day not only for the candidates
by Leah Nylen, The Methods Reporter, November 9, 2006
...Shhaib said he thinks Waguespack, a long-time resident of Bucktown, can effectively reach out to voters who are unhappy with current ward Alderman Ted Matlak and can change the negative perception of the alderman's office.
Matlak yanks zoning cases
by Anitra Rowe, Booster, November 1, 2006
The clock has slowed on five surprise Bucktown zoning changes requested in Alderman Ted Matlak's 32nd Ward...Matlak will forward all five rezoning requests to the Bucktown Community Organization, in accordance with a promise that Matlak made to that group...
Rubber-stamp Alderman Might Get Bounced in Next Election
by Dick Simpson, Chicago Sun-Times, October 6, 2006
Dick Simpson, the director of UIC's Political Science Department, writes that many of the so-called "rubber stamp" aldermen will lose their seats in City Council in the February 27, 2007 election. Simpson notes"This is the best group of aldermanic challengers to run in the past 20years...
Waguespack announces 32nd Ward bid
by Timothy Inklebarger, Chicago Journal, September 20, 2006
Berwyn City Administrator Scott Waguespack of Bucktown, who helped organize a mayoral victory for Berwyn Mayor Michael O'Connor in 2005, announced this week that he will run for 32nd Ward alderman...
Ugly elections link Berwyn and the Balkans
by Carol Marin, Marin Corps Productions, 3/4/05
Berwyn is far from the Balkans so it might not be fair to compare an election in a western suburb of Chicago to post-war Kosovo. Then again, Scott Waguespack has worked on campaigns in both places and says he now believes Berwyn is closer to the Balkans than he ever dreamed.