A chunk of concrete was thrown at a campaign office at Sheridan Road and Leland Avenue. Bricks were thrown at another office in the 4100-block of North Broadway.
Incumbent 46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller decided not to run for re-election and potential candidates are popping up all over. Somebody is apparently not happy with the candidates because at least three of them had their offices vandalized this week. Two instances happened Friday morning.
Lauren Peters, campaign manager for 46th Ward candidate James Cappleman, said the vandalism on his office is not isolated.
"It's 46th Ward, it's Uptown, crazy things are going to happen in this race," said Peters. "Since we knew the brick went through the window and some other offices, we were kind of waiting to see when things were going to happen here."
The campaign office of 46th Ward candidate Andy Lam was vandalized Tuesday, as was the office of 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith. Rocks were also apparently thrown at 46th Ward candidate Michael Carroll's campaign office. Although they did not crack the vandalism-proof film on his windows, they did scratch up his campaign logos.
"As a police officer, I've been kicked, punched, shot at and crashed into, and I come back every day and serve my community," said Carroll. "This brick in the window isn't gonna stop me."
Nothing was taken from any of the offices; they were all closed at the time of the incidents. Police said they are still trying to figure out whether they are related, politically motivated, or just random acts of vandalism. An African handicraft store just steps from Carroll's office was also hit Friday.
"It's upsetting, and I don't know what is going on," said Zach Ajayi, a store worker. "We're looking at something over $2,000 - we cannot fight it."
If the vandalism is politically motivated, Carroll said if the type of people who would throw rocks at windows do not like his campaign's message, that means they are doing a good job.
