An independent advocate for the 32nd

Four months ago, Catherine Zaryczny returned to her home in Ukrainian Village to find the door plastered with large green stickers. Her water had been shut off. The 34-year-old trial lawyer said she always pays her bill on time, but wasn't surprised to find the notice: just the day before Zaryczny had publicly announced her candidacy for the 32nd ward alderman.

"It's unfortunate but this is how people choose to operate sometimes," Zaryczny said, recalling the incident months later.

A call to the water company and many apologies later, Zaryczny's service returned to normal, but the incident merely strengthened her resolve. Zaryczny filed papers with the Chicago Election Board in December and, along with two other candidates, will challenge current Ald. Ted Matlak (32) for seat on the city council in the elections on Feb. 27.

"I have a great respect for the office of alderman, but I have no respect for Ted Matlak because I believe Ted Matlak has turned his back on this community," Zaryczny said. "He has an obligation as an elected official in the city council to serve the interests of this community and I believe he has turned his back on this community and that he serves the special interests."

The 32nd ward, located on the north side of Chicago includes Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park and over the past ten years has experienced a sharp increase in new residents and developments. But Zaryczny, like a number of other ward residents, strongly disagrees with Matlak's pro-development approach to zoning.

Matlak, who was appointed to the council in 1999 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, has supported a number of unpopular projects within the ward, including the demolition of the Artful Dodger, a Wicker Park bar that had been housed in a historic building, and the opening of the Pleasure Chest, an adult-themed store in Lakeview, in spite of protests from residents that the retailer should have been classified as "adult-use."

"[Matlak] does not respect our votes about zoning," said longtime Lakeview resident Liz Larson, 56. "There will be meetings where the alderman will ask about zoning change in our area. - People will pile in to vote against the up-zone. The vote often ends up being 95 percent no and the alderman goes back to the city council and passes it. He never comes back and explains himself. It's like he's just humoring us by asking."

Frustrated with the current situation, Larson joined the 32nd Ward New Leadership Alliance, a group dedicated to finding alternative candidates for the city council seat. At the meeting, Larson met Zaryczny and decided to volunteer for the campaign.

"Catherine is very intelligent and very educated," Larson said of Zaryczny. "She's a fresh face that is not connected to the machine. She has no obligations to contractors or politicians. She is the fresh face I'm looking for to run the ward."

Zaryczny said she thinks voters will appreciate her lack of political commitments.

"I'm the only independent in the race," Zaryczny said. "I'm the only one not beholden to a party. I have no desire other than to work with the community. I have no political affiliations. I don't owe anyone anything other than the people who elect me."

Zaryczny's independence began early in life. The only child of European refugees, Zaryczny always wanted to be a lawyer. She grew up in Ukrainian Village and attended public schools in the area, including Lane Technical High School on West Addison Street.

After receiving her diploma, Zaryczny chose to stay in Chicago for college, graduating with a double major in English and political science from Loyola. As a college student, Zaryczny spent a year studying in Italy and traveling through Europe and Africa.

Her year in Europe helped her master two languages, German and Italian, in addition to the Polish, Ukrainian and Russian she learned growing up.

"This ward is so diverse," Zaryczny said. "I'm able to speak the languages of the people in this ward. That is one of the things that I hope will make me more accessible to people."

After finishing at Loyola, Zaryczny went on to study law at DePaul University, working for two years in the Cook County Public Defender's Office. Her time as a public defender helped her realize her passion for the courtroom.

"I love the ability to be an advocate, to be vocal and to present my positions in what I believe is one of the greatest ways an attorney can present their positions - in a trial courtroom in front of a jury," Zaryczny said. "The most difficult case to handle is a case where someone's liberty is in jeopardy. "Your decisions and the decisions of the court are going to have a major impact on the livelihood or the lives of the individuals involved."

Zaryczny hopes to convince ward residents that she would make a good advocate for the ward on the city council as well.

"People are desperate for an alternative," Zaryczny said. "I talk with person after person who doesn't know who the alderman is or if they do they are unhappy with the fact that he doesn't participate in the community. They feel shortchanged. "I'd like to be the voice of those people. That's one reason why I fought back."

Though Zaryczny said the response from residents has been largely positive,the reactions from people who have long been involved in ward politics have not been as pleasant. In addition to her water being shut off, Zaryczny said she has been heckled and intimidated by workers from other campaigns. The events came to a head on Election Night in October when Zaryczny was collecting signatures for her petition outside the Holstein Park Field House precinct in Bucktown.

"[Campaign workers] were blocking the entrance to the polls, they were jeering at me," Zaryczny said. "One individual kept walking in and out of the polling place, which is illegal. "The people of the ward shouldn't have to tolerate a gauntlet every time they go to the polls."

Not content to simply forget about the incident, Zaryczny filed a complaint with the Chicago Election Board. Though officials from the board said they could not do much after the fact, Zaryczny said speaking out about the situation was reason enough to file the complaint.

"If you go into an old building and turn on the lights, all the rodents scatter. I wanted to ensure it was brought into the light," Zaryczny said. "Every candidate stands for something. Someone has to stand against bad government."

ALDERMANIC ELECTION STORIES: Catherine Zaryczny (32nd) Scott Waguespack (32nd) Mell Monroe (3rd) Pat Dowell (3rd) 48th Ward Challenger Sues Incumbent.