Chicago's Second Ward has been represented by a black alderman since 1915.

Now Bob Fioretti - a white attorney - is looking to take the seat from black incumbent Alderman Madeline Haithcock.

At issue in April's run-off election: gentrification, development, and the landscape of the Second Ward.

For Chicago Public Radio - Tony Arnold reports.
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If you follow the odd shape of the 2nd Ward from the South Loop - down Congress Avenue - to the corner of Western and Madison - you'll come to Moon's Sandwich Shop.

It's a small, dark diner with a wobbly screen door in its entrance.

Just a few blocks away is a line of new red brick homes. Inside Moon's is local Sheri Cranshaw, who's waiting for her tuna on rye.

Cranshaw: "It's changed tremendously. Especially since they tore down the projects right here."

She says the neighborhood's better to live in, but new development is making it too expensive for many people to stay in the predominantly African-American community.

Cranshaw: "Absolutely, they're being forced out and I'm sure a lot of people that's homeowners around here, their taxes has doubled. Or tripled even."

Cranshaw also says there's a big homeless problem in the neighborhood - but that's not stopping developers.

Cranshaw: "And you see them going up with new complexes every day. Every day it seems like. So sure, my rent has doubled."

Rush: "Now you have not only a mixed economic strata, but you also have a mixed racial demography there in the 2nd Ward."

U.S.Congressman Bobby Rush was the alderman of the Second Ward for 10 years back in the 80s and early 90s.

He's endorsing Haithcock for re-election - even though a decade ago the two reportedly had a public dispute that left her locked out of her own aldermanic office.

Rush: "The Second Ward has been called 'the mother ward of black politics.'"

The Second Ward was home to Oscar DePriest - who was Chicago's very first black alderman.

It's also where William Dawson served as an influential congressman for decades.

Rush says the Second Ward is essential to the history of black politics in America.

But even with the changing demographics of the ward - he stops short from describing it as gentrifying.

Rush: "Gentrification is really in the eyes of the beholder."

Fioretti: "That's why I'm running. To make a difference so people can address the problems of development, education, crime and the runaway taxes and gentrification that is occurring throughout this ward."

That's where challenger Bob Fioretti comes in.

He's never run for public office before.

He insists gentrification isn't the reason he's made it this far in the election.

Fioretti: "It doesn't matter whether you're white, black, Latino. People want somebody who's going to represent the people of this ward."

That's about the only issue he agrees on with his opponent - incumbent Alderman Madeline Haithcock.

Haithcock "Now you may want to say that it's color because it's always been black. But then, you know, times change. It's new. But, I know this ward better than my opponent. Yeah. Ok?"

She's been Second Ward alderman for 14 years - but in February's election she received 750 fewer votes than Fioretti.

Since February's election - the campaigns have been attacking each other.

Fioretti: "This alderman's missed 80 percent of her committee meetings."
Haithcock: "I wonder if he knew the truth if it stared him in the face."
Fioretti: "She represents the special interests. And only the special interests."
Haithcock: "He probably doesn't even know which way to walk. He thinks he does."
Fioretti: "She will flip flop on every issue."
Haithcock: "He's a stalker. That's what he is."
Fioretti: "She's ignored her lifelong constituents of 14 years, and she's ignored the new people that have come in here."
Haithcock: "I can go on and on."
Fioretti: "She probably doesn't even know where the schools are."
Haithcock: "So you can't tell a lot of mistruths and people will still think that you're going to be the great white hope if that's what he thinks he is."

One area business manager says there are bigger issues at stake here.

Heather Hornor works at an upscale tea shop in the South Loop.

The store's not even been open a month - and on a recent weekday afternoon there's a quiet flow of customers coming in and out.

Hornor says it's important for public officials to remember their first priority is taking care of the community.

Hornor: "Every organization and every store here and everything in the South Loop makes up the South Loop and without them, you're missing a part of it and you need to remember that it's not just about this place or another place that matters. It's everything combined together."

Hornor says the decision to locate the store in the South Loop came about partly because of the new development - but also because of the neighborhood's rich history.

For Chicago Public Radio - I'm Tony Arnold.