Theodore Matlak

Ted Matlak was the alderman of the 32nd ward in Chicago from 1998 until 2007. On April 17, 2007, Matlak lost to challenger Scott Waguespack in a close aldermanic race.

Ted Matlak
City of Chicago Alderman
from the 32nd Ward
In office
May 1998 – May 2007
Preceded byTerry Gabinski
Succeeded byScott Waguespack
Personal details
Born
Theodore Anthony Matlak

May 16, 1965
Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseGail Matlak (m.1991)
ChildrenTwo daughters
ResidenceBucktown, Chicago, Illinois
Alma materDePaul University (BA)
ProfessionPolitician
Real Estate Broker

Background

Matlak was born in Chicago near the 2500 block of Marshfield in a tavern to Priscilla Gordon and the son of Polish immigrants, Theodore Matlak Sr. His younger sister now resides there with her children and his parents. Matlak was appointed alderman by former alderman Theris Gabinski and was an intern to ex-Congressman Dan Rostenkowski while attending page school in Washington D.C. He graduated from Gordon College Prep, and originally intended on joining the U.S. army. Unfortunately, health issues relating to his kidneys prevented such a career, and he instead proceeded to attend DePaul University in Chicago, where he received an accounting degree. In 1991, he married Gail and later he had 2 daughters: Emily and Aubrey Matlak.[1]

Matlak has received two kidney transplants: one in 1993 and one in 2004.[1]

Politics

Early career

He had interned with Dan Rostenkowski and worked in the ward office of former alderman Terry Gabinski.

Aldermanic career

Matlak served as 32nd ward alderman in Chicago for nine years, from 1998 to 2007.

He was appointed in 1998 by Mayor Richard M. Daley to finish the term of Theris Gabinski, and was elected outright in 1999. He subsequently was again reelected in 2003. In 2003, his challenger was Jay Stone, son of 50th ward alderman Bernard Stone. Bernard Stone not only supported Matlak, but publicly criticized his son for running.[2] In 2007 opponent was newcomer Scott Waguespack, who beat him in a tight race by only 121 votes in 2007.[3] Among some of his accomplishments during his aldermanic career were having several Chicago Public Parks built and having a new Chicago Public Library built.

Subsequent political endeavors

Matlak lost the February 2, 2010 Democratic Primary Election for Commissioner of the 12th District of the Cook County Board to politician John Fritchey.[4]

Electoral history
1999 Chicago 32nd Ward aldermanic election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Theodore A. Matlak (incumbent) 6,725 54.34
Nonpartisan Lorna Brett 4,019 32.47
Nonpartisan Peter Donoghue 1,512 12.22
Nonpartisan Richard T. Eilenberger 121 0.98
Total votes 12,377 100
2003 Chicago 32nd Ward aldermanic election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Ted Matlak (incumbent) 5,518 73.80
Nonpartisan Jay Stone 1,959 26.20
Total votes 7,477 100
2007 Chicago 32nd Ward aldermanic election
Candidates General Election[7] Runoff Election[8]
Votes % Votes %
Scott Waguespack 3,186 39.30 4,179 50.73
Ted Matlak (incumbent) 3,799 46.86 4,058 49.27
Catherine A. Zaryczny 1,122 13.84
Total 8,107 100 8,237 100
2007 Cook County Board 12th district Democratic primary[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Fritchey 19,878 75.32
Democratic Ted Matlak 6,512 24.68
Total votes 26,390 100

References
  1. Rick, Kogan (July 9, 2006). "A Tavern Kid". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  2. Joravsky, Ben (May 20, 2004). "Stone Rocks the Boat; Somebody's Gonna Be Mad". Chicago Reader. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  3. "Illinois 2010 Elections: Alderman Scott Waguespack Abandons Neutrality in Race to Succeed Rep John Fritchey to Back Ed Mullen." Illinoisobserver.net, www.illinoisobserver.net/2010/02/01/illinois-2010-elections-alderman-scott-waguespack-abandons-neutrality-in-race-to-succeed-rep-john-fritchey-to-back-ed-mullen/.
  4. "List of Democratic Candidates". Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  5. "Election Results for 1999 General Election, Alderman, Ward 32, Chicago, IL". chicagodemocracy.org. Chicago Democracy Project. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  6. "2003 Municipal General - 2/25/03". chicagoelections.gov. Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  7. "2007 Municipal General - 2/27/07". chicagoelections.gov. Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  8. "2007 Municipal Runoffs - 4/17/07". chicagoelections.gov. Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. "2010 Primary - DEM - 2/2/10". chicagoelections.gov. Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. Retrieved 20 February 2020.


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