Anthony Beale, Longtime Far South Side Alderman, Faces 2 Challengers In 9th Ward Race

ROSELAND — One of City Council’s longest-serving members is slated to face two opponents in next year’s election — though he and one of those candidates are facing challenges to their nominating petitions.

The Details

Ald. Anthony Beale is seeking reelection for an eighth term as leader of the 9th Ward in February’s election, where he’ll be opposed by Kenny Williams and Cecelia Harrison, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.

Beale was first elected to represent the 9th Ward in 1999, when he became one of the youngest people ever elected to City Council.

Over the past 27 years, he has worked to increase development across the ward, which has included the opening of an Amazon facility, Whole Foods, SC Johnson, Method and Gotham Greens. During his tenure, the Pullman National Park and Pullman Community Center have also opened in the ward.

The 9th Ward includes parts of Chatham, Roseland, Pullman, Washington Heights, West Pullman and Riverdale.

Beale and Harrison are both facing objections to their nominating petitions to get on the ballot. Williams personally filed objections to Beale’s petitions, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. Harrison’s objections were filed by Annette Diaz Lockette and Kenneth Curry Jr.

Petition challenges will be considered by hearing officers through the elections board. If they are upheld, the candidates could get thrown from the ballot. The Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the ballot Dec. 17.

The election is Feb. 23.

Here is more on Beale’s two challengers.

Cecelia Harrison

Harrison, a single mother of two children, grew up in Englewood and now lives in Rosemoor, within Roseland. According to her campaign website, she owns a healthcare consulting business, ReveNewCycle Management and Consulting and founded Project 34, a nonprofit in Roseland that offers skills training, employment support and community events.

Harrison’s campaign centers on improving ward streets and transit, pushing for equity in citywide funding, connecting residents to education, workforce training and small business growth and building a more responsive ward office.

One of her top priorities is increasing accountability around Roseland Community Hospital, according to her campaign website. The hospital suspended its labor and delivery department in October and has since filed for bankruptcy. Harrison hopes to strengthen oversight at the hospital and improve patient safety.

Kenny Williams

No website or social media could be found for Williams’ aldermanic campaign. The Roseland resident, however, ran earlier this year in the Democratic primary for the Illinois State Senate District 14. Williams lost to incumbent Emil Jones, who went on to win reelection during the Midterm election Nov. 3.

His campaign website for the Senate race described Williams as a business owner who earned his cosmetology license in 1987 and owns Silk N Classy barber college in the south suburbs.

Williams is the former board president of Thornton Township High School District 205. He was removed from the board by a Cook County judge in 2013 due to a 1985 forgery conviction in Indiana, which was later expunged.

Williams has previously run for the Illinois House of Representatives. He lost in 2010 as a Green Party candidate in District 29 to Thaddeus Jones. He also lost in the Democratic primary in 2014 and 2016 to Jones, according to BallotPedia.

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