Here's an email I tried to post on Beacon Neighbors.org, but was obviously never posted:

I moved to Uptown about 3 years ago from out of state and have followed the political landscape closely. 

I've viewed both aldermanic candidates and have come to the conclusion that Sandra Reed would be the best option for this ward for several reasons. 

First of all, she is a teacher that makes a meager salary as opposed to Helen Shiller who makes $90,000 a year.  Sandra lives in the heart of the ward - the corner of Wilson and Kenmore, whereas Shiller lives up in the affluent area around the border of Andersonville.  Sandra lives with the issues on a daily basis.  Helen gets to go home to her cozy estate up north.  I just don't understand how people in the ward don't see the irony and hypocrisy in this situation.

Nobody should be in political power for over 15 years.  For a neighborhood, city, or country to thrive, political change is needed.  Look at Iraq.  Their people have been at the mercy of one person for about as long as Shiller has been in power in the 46th ward. 

Shiller is a very divisive figure, whereas Reed works diligently with all the people in the ward.  Reed herself is someone that could very easily be "priced out" of the ward if it weren't for affordable housing programs. 

I'm sure Shiller has done good things for the ward in the past, but after 15 years in office, I'm sure anyone would become corrupt.  Sometimes people don't know when their time is up, and i think that is the case with Shiller.

I really wish people in this area would open their eyes and see that change is needed.  I've never seen a neighborhood where one woman causes so much friction.