Ald. Marty Quinn announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election to the Chicago City Council, ending a 15-year tenure marked by his fight to preserve the 13th Ward’s character while pushing for new schools, economic development, and a long-sought police district on the Southwest Side.
The election will be held Feb. 16, 2027. Quinn, who will remain in office until then, said he made the announcement intentionally before petition season begins on July 28 “out of respect to the residents of the 13th Ward.”
Quinn explained the decision with blunt honesty.
“I’ve done this job for now 15 full years. I have given it everything I possibly can,” he said. “This term alone, the last three years, I have had 4,100 conversations at people’s doorstep or in their living room and at this point, it’s best for me to move on and have someone else take over the reins.”
A legislative record built on ward priorities
Quinn’s tenure produced tangible neighborhood improvements and a consistent legislative philosophy. He oversaw the development of five new schools, six turf athletic fields, and two dog parks. He also championed a statue dedicated to fallen CPD officer Ella French.
His signature fights—banning unregulated hemp, helping to pass an alternative budget to the mayor’s in December 2025 and securing a compromise on short-term accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rentals—all reflected the same principle: protecting residents and neighborhood character.
“There’s a consistent theme with everything that I’ve done legislatively, and it starts from a position of what’s best for the residents of the 13th Ward,” Quinn said. “Whether it’s banning short-term rentals to protect their property value, shutting down these dodgy hemp stores, or fighting the mayor on a budget that wasn’t going to pay the full supplemental pension payment for the hardworking city workers that live in the ward. It’s very intentional, my positioning on issues and the fights that I have been a part of. It’s all on behalf of my neighbors. I’m proud of that.”
Economic development and the Cicero, Archer Avenue corridors
Quinn took particular pride in transforming the Cicero Avenue corridor from what he called “a real dodgy corridor” into a destination.
He recruited Lou Malnati’s, Culver’s, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Dunkin’, and Starbucks to the area. Buffalo Wild Wings is currently under construction on Archer Avenue, and Ciao Ragazzi recently purchased a bank building on the southeast corner of Archer and Narragansett to open a sit-down restaurant.
“Those are great contributions to the corridor on Archer,” Quinn said. “And that pumps new life into the community.”
The unfinished police district fight
Quinn’s only regret, he said, involves the failure to secure a new 8th District police station—a campaign that, while stalled, is not a dead issue.
“It’s certainly going to be an issue that the next mayoral candidate’s going to have to answer because that need isn’t going to go away,” Quinn said. “The one officer per 10,000 ratio is real, and police response times are lagging.”
Citing no disrespect to the hardworking officers in blue, the lack of enough officers in the 8th District is an issue that will not go away, he said.
“I think it’ll be front and center this upcoming election season,” he said.
Hyperlocal work: seniors, snow and community bonds
Beyond headline-grabbing legislation, Quinn’s reputation for hyperlocal initiatives in the ward are well known. For 15 years, he’s hosted a monthly senior citizen residents meeting to discuss ward issues honestly. In winter, he removes snow for 905 seniors—a program he described as relentless.
“I wouldn’t want to disrespect any of my neighbors by not giving it 100 percent,” Quinn said. “The fact that I can’t sign up for another four years at that current level suggests it’s my time.”
He also partnered with the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch and the Midway Chamber of Commerce to bring the Ella French statue to the ward—a project he called “a wonderful collaboration.”
Quinn described the 13th Ward in terms that revealed his philosophy.
“In the 13th Ward, it feels more family than it does constituent to alder. That’s intentional and I’m proud of that culture. That’s the Chicago that I grew up in, that’s the Chicago that I raised my kids in, and we look after each other,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part of that.”
No endorsement, but a suggestion
When asked who might succeed him, Quinn declined to endorse anyone but offered a suggestion: the ward’s superintendent, one of the best in the city in his opinion. If he put his “name into the ring, that would be a fine choice,” he said.
“I made this announcement intentionally before petitions started out of respect to the residents of the 13th Ward who’ve been so great to me. I think there will be a couple of candidates that put forth their qualifications to be considered. I haven’t gotten into endorsing anyone or anything like that,” Quinn said.
What’s next
Quinn said he is not retiring.
“I’m not going to retire. I’m going to keep my options open and see what my next journey is. I’m going to do something else. Just at this point in my life, I can’t commit another four years at the pace that I’m at.”
He emphasized that he and his family are staying in the ward.
“I’m just stepping down,” he said.
Quinn credited his wife—”just an absolute star who doubles as the boss of our house”—his three children, his staff, and the community organizations that made his accomplishments possible.
“All those accomplishments aren’t just mine,” Quinn said. “They’re our team’s, and I’m a big believer in team and bringing people together, and finding common ground, and making progress because of the bringing people together.
“Our community is the backbone of the city. It makes the city run,” he said. “We’re the police officers, and the firefighters, and the laborers that pick up the garbage and fill the potholes and trim the trees. That’s who we are as a community, and it’s been an honor of a lifetime to represent the hardworking backbone of the City of Chicago.”
Is the Madigan & Quinn service vehicle still in operation?