Ald. O'Shea Says He Won't Seek Re-Election To Chicago City Council

CHICAGO—Ald. Matt O’Shea announced Thursday in an email blast to 19th Ward constituents he would not be seeking reelection in the upcoming 2027 Chicago primary and election.

“To do this job right, it’s more than a full-time job. You don’t have days off. You can’t go to the grocery store,” O’Shea told the Chicago Sun-Times. “If there’s a crime pattern or something happening in the neighborhood, it’s very stressful. You have to be out front.”

O’Shea follows in the footsteps of City Council colleagues Alds. Marty Quinn (13th), and Michael Rodriguez (22nd), who have also announced they will not run for reelection next year. Earlier this term, former Alds. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Walter Burnett stepped down and were replaced by Johnson.

Johnson is also expected to make an announcement on his political future Sunday, news reports say.

"Serving as your alderman for the past 15 years has been the greatest honor of my professional life. I'm incredibly proud of the work we have done together to protect and enhance the communities of Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood,” O’Shea said in a written statement. “However, after much reflection, I've decided not to seek another term as your alderman.”

The veteran alderman represents Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park, which have the highest number of Chicago police officers and firefighters residing in those neighborhoods. He’s endorsed his chief of staff, Erin Ross, for 19th Ward alderman in the upcoming Chicago’s upcoming primary and election.

“As I look to the future, nothing is more important to me than ensuring the 19th Ward continues to have strong, experienced, and compassionate leadership. That is why I am proud to wholeheartedly endorse Erin Ross as my successor.

“For the past several years, Erin has served as my chief of staff, working beside me every day to solve problems for residents and improve our community. She is a lifelong resident of the 19th Ward who understands our neighborhoods because she has lived in them. She has the experience, integrity, and work ethic to continue moving the 19th Ward forward, and I know she will always put our residents first,” O’Shea’s statement continued.

Ald. Matt O'Shea, 19th Ward

O’Shea was sworn into his first term in the 19th Ward seat on the City Council in 2011, along with then-new mayor Rahm Emanuel, and has served under three Chicago mayors. He complained that the city council has become “siloed” with seven democratic socialists serving alongside Mayor Brandon Johnson, “the most liberal mayor in Chicago history,” the Sun-Times reported.

During his four terms, O’Shea was a staunch advocate for the city’s first responders. He was also a frequent critic of the current mayor and last year sided with a group of alders in passing an alternative 2026 city budget.

He touted his record of getting the Morgan Park Sports Center built, and delivering new school buildings for Esmond, Mount Greenwood and Cassell Elementary Schools. O’Shea also pointed to major investments in the ward’s commercial districts, including bringing new business and “transformative” streetscape improvements on 95th and 111th Streets.

O'Shea is a lifelong resident of the 19th Ward and a product of Christ the King Elementary School and Mount Carmel High School.

“To everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey—our residents, community organizations, businesses, schools, faith leaders, first responders, and my outstanding staff, please know how much your friendship has meant to me,” O’Shea said.

Meanwhile, O’Shea says he plans to hit the ground running for the fall’s budget season and continue to represent the 19th Ward until a new City Council is sworn in next May.