Alderman Laurino plans to retire in May

by BRIAN NADIG

The 39th Ward will have a new alderman next spring.

Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th) announced her retirement on Friday. She plans to remain on the job until her term ends in mid-May.

“Serving as 39th Ward alderman has always been my dream job,” Laurino said in a statement. “I never took that role lightly.”

Those running in the 39th Ward aldermanic race include 39th Ward Democratic Committeeman Robert Murphy, Albany Park Community Center director of development Casey Smagala and attorney Samantha Nugent.

Laurino was appointed alderman in 1994 after her father, Anthony Laurino, retired after serving in the position for nearly 30 years. Anthony Laurino was later charged in connection with a scandal involving no-work city jobs, and while his case never went to trial, others were convicted.