Matthew O'Shea

Matthew J. O'Shea
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 19th Ward
Assumed office
May 16, 2011
Preceded byVirginia Rugai
Personal details
Born (1969-08-26) August 26, 1969
PartyDemocratic
EducationSaint Mary's University of Minnesota (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Matthew J. O'Shea is the Alderman of the 19th Ward, he has served in the Chicago City Council since 2011. The 19th Ward is located on the southwest side of Chicago and includes the neighborhoods of Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood.

Early life and education, and career

O'Shea is a lifelong resident of the 19th Ward.[1]

O'Shea attended Christ the King Elementary School, Mount Carmel High School[1] and Moraine Valley Community College. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.[1]

In his career, O'Shea worked as a social worker and director of a community center.[1] He also served as an aide to Alderman Virginia Rugai and Cook County Sheriff Mike Sheahan.[1]

O'Shea serves on several boards, including the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Special Children’s Charities, John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Misericordia Home.

Political career

O'Shea was first elected Alderman of the 19th Ward in 2011.[1] He has been reelected in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

He was supportive of Rahm Emanuel as Mayor of Chicago,[2] and has worked with the Chicago Police Department to make public safety a top priority for his community.[3]

Among the committees O'Shea has served on are Aviation,[4] Budget and Government Operations,[1][4] Committees and Rules,[4] Economic, Capital and Technology Development,[4] Education and Child Development,[1][4] Ethics and Government Oversight, Finance,[4] Health and Human Relations,[4] License and Consumer Protection,[1],[4] Public Safety,[1] Special Events, Cultural Affairs, and Recreation, Transportation and Public Way and Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards

In June 2018, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed O'Shea as the chairman of the Chicago Committee on Aviation.[5]

In the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, O'Shea endorsed Jerry Joyce in the first round of the election[6] and endorsed Lori Lightfoot in the runoff.[7] His endorsement of Lightfoot has been credited with securing her strong support in his ward in the runoff vote.[8]

O’Shea was an elected delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He has served as the Democratic Committeeman of the 19th Ward since 2005.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Chicago City Council: Matt O'Shea". NBC Chicago. November 10, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "Inside the political resurrection of Rahm Emanuel". Chicago. April 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "Matt O'Shea Campaign Statement". The Beverly Review. February 17, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Office of the City Clerk - O'Shea, Matthew J." Office of the City Clerk of Chicago. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Byrne, John (June 26, 2018). "Emanuel names Ald. O'Shea to lead Aviation Committee, which will oversee massive O'Hare renovation". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "List of Endorsements in the Race for Chicago Mayor". February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  7. ^ Pratt, Gregory (March 15, 2019). "Lori Lightfoot gets endorsements from progressive group, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  8. ^ Woelfel, Mariah (November 30, 2022). "As Mayor Lori Lightfoot runs again, a look at who's backing her and who's looking elsewhere". WBEZ Chicago. Retrieved December 5, 2022.