Ted Matlak (born May 16, 1965) was the alderman of the 32nd ward in Chicago from 1998 until 2007. On April 17, 2007, Matlak lost to challenger Scott Waguespack in a close aldermanic race.
Background
Matlak was born in Chicago near the 2500 block of Marshfield in a tavern to Priscilla Gordon and the son of Polish immigrants, Theodore Matlak Sr. His younger sister now resides there with her children and his parents. Matlak was appointed alderman by former alderman Theris Gabinski and was an intern to ex-Congressman Dan Rostenkowski while attending page school in Washington D.C. He graduated from Gordon College Prep, and originally intended on joining the U.S. army. Unfortunately, health issues relating to his kidneys prevented such a career, and he instead proceeded to attend DePaul University in Chicago, where he received an accounting degree. In 1991, he married Gail and later he had 2 daughters: Emily and Aubrey Matlak.
Matlak has received two kidney transplants: one in 1993 and one in 2004. In 2007 opponent was newcomer Scott Waguespack, who beat him in a tight race by only 121 votes in 2007. Among some of his accomplishments during his aldermanic career were having several Chicago Public Parks built and having a new Chicago Public Library built.
Subsequent political endeavors
Matlak lost the February 2, 2010 Democratic Primary Election for Commissioner of the 12th District of the Cook County Board to politician John Fritchey.
Electoral history
{| class=wikitable
!colspan=5|2007 Chicago 32nd Ward aldermanic election
|-
!colspan=1 |Candidates
!colspan=2 |General Election
!colspan=2 |Runoff Election
|-
!
!Votes
!%
!Votes
!%
|-
| Scott Waguespack
| align="right" | 3,186
| align="right" | 39.30
| align="right" | 4,179
| align="right" | 50.73
|-
| Ted Matlak (incumbent)
| align="right" | 3,799
| align="right" | 46.86
| align="right" | 4,058
| align="right" | 49.27
|-
| Catherine A. Zaryczny
| align="right" | 1,122
| align="right" | 13.84
| colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray |
|-
| Total
| align="right" | 8,107
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 8,237
| align="right" | 100
|}