There will be at least 11 new members of the Chicago City Council in May due to the retirements of several long-time aldermen. Some will be elected tonight, others will begin their runoff campaigns tomorrow. We will be tracking it all throughout the evening on our liveblog. Be sure to check back for updates.

UPDATE (8:21 p.m.): State Rep. Will Burns (who was endorsed by the SEIU State Council, which sponsors this site) has been declared the winner in the 4th Ward. That is the progressive-minded seat, based in Hyde Park, that was long held by toni Preckwinkle.

UPDATE (8:29 p.m.): Ald. Sandi Jackson (endorsed by SEIU) is poised to avoid a runoff in the 7th Ward where she faced former Ald. Darcel Beavers, the daughter of Cook County Commissioner William Beavers. Jackson had 52 percent of the vote, with 81 percent of precincts reporting.

UPDATE (8:33 p.m.): With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) looks like she has defeated Ebony Tillman the daughter of the ward's former alderman, Dorothy Tillman. Dowell (who was endorsed by SEIU) had two-thirds of the votes with 90 percent reporting.

UPDATE (8:34 p.m.): In the 50th Ward, the oldest member of the City Council, Bernard Stone, looks to be headed to a run-off with Debra Silverstein (who was endorsed by SEIU), the wife of State Sen. Ira Silverstein. With 78 percent of the precincts reporting, Stone had 38 percent of the vote, while Silverstein had 34 percent.

UPDATE (8:39 p.m.): In what is likely the most surprising result of the night, Ameya Pawar may avoid a run-off in the 47th Ward, beating out Tom O'Donnell, the candidate selected by Ald. Eugene Schulter to replace him. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Pawar had 51 percent of the vote, while O'Donnell (who was endorsed by SEIU) had 44 percent.

UPDATE (8:41 p.m.): In the crowded race to replace Helen Shiller in the 46th Ward, James Cappleman looks headed to a run-off against Molly Phelan. With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, each had 19 percent of the vote. Eleven candidates faced off in the race. Cappleman ran against Shiller in 2007.

UPDATE (8:46 p.m.): Ald. Rey Colon (35th Ward) appearrs to have avoided a runoff, winning 51 percent of the vote with 97 percent of the precincts reporting. Colon (who was endorsed by SEIU) faced two challengers: Miguel Sotomayor and Nancy Schiavone.

UPDATE (8:51 p.m.): There will be a runoff in the 38th Ward. Tim Cullerton, Mayor Daley's choice to replace Tom Allen, who left the seat to become a judge, failed to get the 50 percent needed to avoid the runoff. With 48 percent of the vote, Cullerton (who was endorsed by SEIU) will face Tom Caravette, who won 22 percent.

UPDATE (8:54 p.m.): Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) easily won reelection, avoiding a runoff against David Pavlik, Bryan Lynch, and Brian Gorman. Waguespack (who was endorsed by SEIU) had 66 percent of the vote with 92 percent of the precincts reporting.

UPDATE (8:58 p.m.): Ald. George Cardenas (12th Ward), who received a challenge from progressive opponents who won several key endorsements has avoided a runoff. Cardenas won 55 percent of the vote, while Jose Guereca won 19 percent, and Jesus "Jesse" Iniquez (who was endorsed by SEIU) won 16 percent.

UPDATE (9:10 p.m.): The 6th Ward looks to beaded to a runoff. With 91 percent of the precincts reporting, Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (who was endorsed by SEIU) has won 45 percent of the vote. Roderick T. Sawyer, the son of the former mayor, has 25 percent of the vote.

UPDATE (9:25 p.m.): Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward) appears to have avoided a run-off against Genita Robinson. Fioretti (who was endorsed by SEIU) won 55 percent of hte vote with 95 percent of the precincts reporting, while Robinson had 31 percent of the vote.

UPDATE (9:28 p.m.): WBEZ is reporting that as many as 11 aldermanic races could be headed to a runoff.

UPDATE (9:33 p.m.): In the 20th Ward, hip hop star Che "Rhymefest" Smith has forced a runoff against incumbent Willie Cochran. Smith won 20 percent of the vote, while Cochran won 46 percent.

UPDATE (9:35 p.m.): Ald. Daniel Solis (25th Ward) is headed to a runoff for his seat. Solis, who has been criticized for his refusal to support the Clean Air Ordinance, failed to win 50 percent of the vote. He will face Cuahutemoc Morfin, who won 28 percent of the vote.

UPDATE (9:41 p.m.): In the 47th Ward, O'Donnell has conceded to Pawar. The surprising win makes Pawar the first-ever Asian American member of the City Council.