More endorsements in aldermanic races

The Sun-Times continues its endorsements today for the City Council in the Feb. 27 primary election.

10th Ward: John A. Pope has satisfied the voters in his ward well enough to avoid meaningful challenge and gets the nod.

11th: Incumbent James A. Balcer, a strong supporter of veterans and the leading advocate of the Vietnam War Memorial along the Chicago River, is endorsed over Carl Segvich, a political staffer.

12th Ward: Incumbent George Cardenas won four years ago thanks to the support of the scandal-plagued Hispanic Democratic Organization and the infamous withdrawal of his opponent from the runoff election. Although his allegiance to Mayor Daley has produced some results, there have not been enough to offset his lack of independence. We favor Carina E. Sanchez, the former director of policy and community relations at the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, who has a good handle on the issues facing the ward and some bright ideas for addressing them. Also in the race are attorney Jesus Salazar, businessman Jesus Iniguez, activist Alberto Bocanegra Jr. and Alan Mercado.

15th: Twelve candidates are vying to replace Ted Thomas, who stepped down for health reasons. We back Felicia Simmons-Stovall, an enforcement attorney in Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's office. Her priorities include the ward's infrastructure, education, crime and affordable housing. Other good candidates are in the race, but voters should steer clear of former Ald. Virgil Jones, who was convicted of taking bribes in the Operation Silver Shovel probe in 1999 and is attempting a comeback.

16th: Ald. Shirley A. Coleman, a 16-year incumbent, has fought some tough battles -- from hounding police into addressing complaints that a serial rapist was on the loose -- to agitating for minority participation in city contracts. So it is with regret that we do not endorse her for re-election.

Instead, we are throwing our support to Hal Baskin, once a cocky street activist who appears to have matured into a credible grass-roots community organizer. Baskin, a real estate manager, is founder of People Educated Against Crime in Englewood, a nonprofit gang intervention program for area youth. He pledges to support stronger illegal handgun possession legislation, advocate for mobile health exams, and strengthen after-school programs.

Coleman's term has been tarnished by her relationship with Tracy Williams, a real estate consultant being sued by a group of California investors, Blythe Holdings Inc., who say they were scammed out of more than $500,000 in a deal to buy 400 city-owned lots. The lawsuit claims Williams paid out $70,000 for the benefit of Coleman. Although Coleman denies any wrongdoing, she now says she regrets she ever trusted Williams, whom she once described as "her best friend." The scandal shows surprisingly poor judgment, and could interfere with Coleman's ability to effectively serve another term.

17th: Ald. Latasha Thomas has worked hard to bring economic development to impoverished areas in her ward, which encompasses Auburn-Gresham, Englewood and West Chatham. Her priorities for another term also include improving the school environment, increasing participation in the police CAPS program and boosting affordable housing. Thomas is favored over three other candidates.

18th: Five candidates are competing to succeed longtime Ald. Thomas Murphy, who called it quits to become a Cook County judge in December. Lona Lane, who was on Murphy's staff and is the former executive director of the Greater Ashburn Planning Association, was a good choice to fill out the few months left in Murphy's term, and we back her for election. Also running are former city worker Paul Stewart, insurance broker Sydney Washington, community activist Joseph C. Ziegler and Eldora Davis.

19th: Ald. Virginia Rugai is favored over John Somerville, an assistant Cook County state's attorney who lost to Rugai in 2003, and real estate broker Tim Sheehan. Critics say Rugai has become complacent after being in office for 16 years, but we don't share that view. She can point to a variety of developments in her Southwest Side ward as well as her work on issues as diverse as recycling and breast cancer awareness.