Scott Waguespack
Scott Waguespack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 32nd ward | |
| Assumed office May 20, 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 Bucktown, Goose Island, Hamlin Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Roscoe Village.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]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 was the city administrator and chief of staff to Berwyn, Illinois mayor Michael A. O'Connor in 2005.
Aldermanic career
[edit]Waguespack was first elected as Chicago alderman for the 32nd Ward in 2007, unseating incumbent alderman Theodore Matlak. He has subsequently been reelected in 2011, 2015, and 2019.
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.[4] Waguespack is the Democratic Committeeman for the 32nd ward.[5][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 has been a City Council ally of Lightfoot during her mayoralty.[10][11] He has endorsed her for reelection in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election.[12] During Lightfoot's mayoralty, Waguespack chaired the City Council's finance committee.[11]
In January 2020, Waguespack proposed legislation that would have placed limits on single-use plastics and foam food containers by giving give 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]
Actions on housing
[edit]In 2012, Waguespack pushed to reduce the number of units in proposed apartment building on the site of a gas station on North and Hermitage avenues. Initially proposed to be a five-storey building with 44 units, Waguespack pushed to scale it down to a 30-unit 4-storey building.[14]
In 2017, Waguespack blocked a proposed 6-storey 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.[15]
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 district.[16][17][18] 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.[17] [18] Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed for the building despite Waguespack's opposition.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "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.
- ^ "Who We Are". chicagoprogressivecaucus.com. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.