Brian G. Doherty was the alderman

Alderman

An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...

 of the 41st Ward (map) of the City of Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

 from 1991 to 2011. First elected to the Chicago City Council

Chicago City Council

The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...

 in 1991 when he defeated longtime incumbent Roman Pucinski

Roman Pucinski

Roman Conrad Pucinski was an American Democratic politician from Chicago, Illinois. He was a U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1973, and alderman from the 41st Ward of Chicago from 1973 to 1991...

, Doherty represented portions of the city's Northwest Side, including O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...

. Doherty lost as the 2010 Republican Nominee for Illinois State Senate District 10 to replace retiring Senator James DeLeo

James DeLeo

James A. DeLeo was a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 10th district since 1992, and is an Assistant Majority Leader. Earlier he served in the Illinois House of Representatives. He announced his retirement from the State Senate in 2010, and left office in August 2010....

 (D-Chicago) losing to John Mulroe. Doherty did not seek re-election after his defeat in the Senate contest and left office in 2011.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/us/13cncpulse.html.

Doherty has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune for "presiding ably over his ward" and by the Chicago Sun-Times for acting "independently." Brian has been a consistent advocate for more efficient, less intrusive government.

Political career

While on the City Council, Brian Doherty revitalized commercial retail districts and brought economic opportunities to the community. Doherty also had a record of opposing property tax increases. Political columnist Russ Stewart wrote recently, "Doherty has opposed the Daley Administration on every tax hike ordinance."

Brian also voted to implement strong ethics reforms and more government transparency. He voted for a sunshine ordinance that makes it much easier to determine how taxpayer dollars are spent on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. He also established a Zoning Advisory Board to give residents and families a voice in all local zoning issues.

Doherty has been formally endorsed for State Senate in the 10th District by the Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7.

Doherty is notable as the only member of the Republican Party

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 in the Chicago City Council, but supports some of the policies of Chicago's Democratic Mayor Richard M. Daley

Richard M. Daley

Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...

. Doherty voted in favor of the mayor's parking meter plan that leases out the revenue rights to a private firm http://www.chicityclerk.com/journals/2008/dec4_2008/120408_SP.pdf. According to the Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...

, the plan would increase the hourly meter rate at some Chicago parking meters to $6.50 in 2013 http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/12/aldermen-deba-1.html.

Personal

Brian grew up in the Austin area as the oldest boy born to Irish immigrants, Dan and the late Kathleen Doherty. Brian attended St. Angela Grammar School and Lane Tech High School before earning a degree in Business Management from Northeastern in 1984. In 2005, Brian earned his Masters in Urban Studies from Loyola University.

Brian and his wife of 23 years, Rose (née Gillespie), are the parents of Katie and Kevin. They have resided in the Oriole Park Neighborhood for over 22 years.

Doherty was a Chicago Golden Gloves

Chicago Golden Gloves

This amateur boxing tournament is considered by many boxing aficionados as one of the three most elite Golden Gloves titles, along with the Intercity Golden Gloves and the New York Golden Gloves. The tournament is also more formally known as the Chicago Tribune Charities Golden Gloves Tournament of...

 boxer in 1973, 1974 and 1975, and was a Golden Gloves

Golden Gloves

The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...

 Finalist and Champion. He was a Chicago Park District

Chicago Park District

The Chicago Park District is the oldest and largest park district in the U.S.A, with a $385 million annual budget. It has the distinction of spending the most per capita on its parks, even more than Boston in terms of park expenses per capita...

Champion as a boxer from La Follette Park. Brian is also a frequent marathon runner and this year he completed his ninth marathon.