Cappleman Will Not Seek Fourth Term As 46th Ward Alderman

CHICAGO — James Capplemn announced to his constituents that he will not be seeking a fourth term as the 46th Ward Alderman, which covers Uptown and parts of Lake View. Cappleman said he plans to retire in May 2023 after the Chicago municipal elections.

“Being the 46th Ward Alderman has been an incredible experience for me and it’s something I will always treasure. I ran for Alderman to interrupt the trajectory of the ward because our community demanded more,” Cappleman told 46th Ward residents in an email blast. “From my work with many of you, we surpassed many people’s dreams for this ward’s improvement. I feel fortunate to be doing work that I enjoy every day, but I also know it feels right for me to move on to another adventure with the assurance that our community is now in a good place to keep moving forward to accomplish more.”

The 69-year-old Cappleman lost to Ald. Helen Shiller is his first run for 46th ward alderman in 2007. The day after his 2007 election, Cappleman was back attending community meetings and town halls for the next four years, building a name for himself in the community. Shiller declined to run in 2011 amid growing community discord regarding crime, violence and economic stagnation in one of the city’s most ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods. Cappleman won the 2011 election, becoming the second openly gay alderman on the Chicago City Council, and today is part of the city council's LGBTQ+ caucus.

“In those early days, people were frustrated about the horrible condition of the Wilson CTA Station and there were discussions about the need to demolish the historic Gerber Building on the 4600 block of N. Broadway given the extensive costs to repair it,” Cappleman said. “Through my work with others, the CTA station is one of the best in Chicago, and the historic Gerber building is now utilized as Chicago Market's Community Co-op, a prime example of our reinvigorated business community and diversified commercial storefronts and entertainment district.”

The alderman, who said he is leaving with “mixed feelings,” touted the addition of two more 100-percent affordable residential buildings that will start construction this year. Cappleman also pointed his record of restoring dilapidated historic buildings back to their original glory, and residential developments that off a wide range of rents, including affordable housing.

He also took credit for the comeback of the neighborhood's entertainment district. In October 2020, TimeOut Magazine named Uptown as the “24th coolest community on the planet.”

"While teaming up with many of you, we have accomplished more in the last decade than I ever thought possible. For that, I am truly thankful,” Cappleman said.

Cappleman promised more exciting announcements about plans in store for the 46th Ward” later this summer. Uptown residents, as other Chicagoans, are hopeful plans include a historic restoration of the Uptown Theater back to its Spanish Baroque style, that opened as a movie and entertainment palace in 1925.

He also assured residents that he and his staff would continue to serve and assist them. Cappleman said he and his husband, Richard, have no plans to move out of the neighborhood after his retirement from the Chicago City Council.

“We will do what we’ve always done since we met one another over 30 years ago; we will keep giving our time to endeavors that will make our planet better for everyone.”