Like the rest of Chicagoans, residents in the 6th Ward have been hitting the polls slowly but surely, with about 160 voters visiting the St. Columbus polling place on 71st St. by around 3:00 p.m. The race for incumbent Freddrenna Lyle's city council seat is a crowded one with six candidates on the ballot, but area residents seemed to be out in support of either Lyle or Roderick T. Sawyer, son of former Chicago mayor Eugene Sawyer. Check out what a few residents had to say about who they picked for alderman and why:  

Residents of the ward that Progress Illinois spoke to said violence and loitering were some of the main problems plaguing the area, motivating them to brave the chilly weather to cast their votes. Both candidates say the issue of crime can be best addressed if a new superintendent of police were installed to replace Jody Weis.

But that may be one of just a few instances in which they agree. The front-runners for the 6th Ward city council seat differ on several issues, according to a candidate questionnaire issued by TheSixthWard blog. When it comes to tax increment finance districts, Lyle is in support of using tax increment financing (TIF) funds for economic development in the area. Meanwhile, Sawyer says the ward has become too reliant on TIFs and would like to impose a moratorium on the creation of new districts if elected alderman. Sawyer is also in support of bringing video gambling to the area, while Lyle is not.