Heather Sattler, chief operating officer of a charity benefiting familes of fallen police officers and firefighters, will face 36th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato in the race to represent the 38th Ward. View Full Caption Submitted photos

PORTAGE PARK — The race for 38th Ward alderman is taking shape, and joining the contest is one of the leaders of a charity that helps the families of police and firefighters who die in the line of duty and a longtime Portage Park resident.

Heather Sattler, 39, the chief operating officer of the 100 Club of Chicago, said she would work to ensure that the 38th Ward remains on the "great trajectory" established by Ald. Tim Cullerton.

"I have a track record as a leader and a public servant," said Sattler, who graduated from Georgetown University and has a graduate degree in public service management from DePaul University. "I feel compelled to use my talents."

Heather Cherone said the race for "Cullerton's seat" is heating up:

Tuesday is the first day for candidates to gather signatures to appear on the ballot in the February election.

Ald. Nicholas Sposato, who now represents the 36th Ward, already has announced his candidacy to replace Cullerton.

Sattler said she began considering a run for office after Cullerton announced in July that he planned to retire to spend more time with his five grandchildren and avoid "down-and-dirty" politics.

Cullerton's retirement means the end of an era on the Northwest Side, which has been represented by a member of the Cullerton family since 1973. A member of the Cullerton family has continually served on the City Council since 1871.

And while Sattler isn't related to the Cullertons by blood, she has known the alderman her entire life. Her mother, Rita Sattler, was Cullerton's chief of staff until she retired earlier this year after 21 years running the 38th Ward Office.

Rita Sattler was also chief of staff to former 38th Ward Ald. Thomas Allen — Cullerton's brother-in-law — who represented the 38th Ward from 1993 to 2010, when he became a Cook County judge. Allen replaced Cullerton's father, who served as alderman for 20 years.

Cullerton said he has spoken to "lots" of people who are interested in running for what has been known as the "Cullerton seat" on the Council, but would not endorse anyone in the February election.

He did praise Sattler — whom he has known since she was in preschool at Our Lady of Victory — as a "great person, an amazing person."

"She's already done a lot of good," Cullerton said.

Sattler, who has a 4-year-old son, said Cullerton was part of the "village" that helped raise her.

Sattler said she would emulate his focus on serving the people of Portage Park and Dunning, which make up most of the new 38th Ward, which saw its borders change significantly as part of the new Council district map.

Sattler has been chief operating officer of the 100 Club of Chicago since July 2012, and she said she has helped the more than 40-year-old charity transition into the digital era while maintaining its commitment to helping the families of law enforcement officers in both the immediate aftermath of their loved one's death and for years afterward.

When she was 24, Sattler founded This Is Me, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young women navigate adolescence successfully. Started in Portage Park, the group offered programs at parks and schools throughout the Northwest Side.

If elected alderman, Sattler said she would make all of her decisions based on what was best for the homeowners in the area, and make sure homes remain affordable.

"We have to protect the homeowners," Sattler said.

That means investing in small businesses, ensuring the area's schools remain among the best in the city and keeping Dunning and Portage Park among the safest neighborhoods in Chicago, Sattler said.

Sattler said she would make sure that 38th Ward residents see their tax dollars return to their neighborhoods.

Sattler said she would not join the Council's progressive caucus. Cullerton is not a member.

"I prefer collaboration," said Sattler, who plans to officially announce her candidacy on Sept. 6.

That will give voters a clear choice between her and Sposato, one of the founding members of the Progressive Reform Caucus and a frequent critic of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Cullerton usually supported the mayor's initiatives.

The new City Council ward map redrew the 36th Ward to include a majority of Latino voters, making Sposato's political future there uncertain. The 38th Ward now includes parts of Portage Park and all of Dunning — much of which used to be in the old 36th Ward.

Sposato did not return a phone message seeking a response about Sattler's candidacy.

If elected, Sattler would be one of the youngest aldermen on the Council.

"I know I don't look the part" of an alderman, Sattler said. "I will have to prove how capable I am and how hard I work."

But Sattler said she isn't worried about working with Ald. Ed Burke (14th), 63, the dean of the Council, who was elected to the City Council in 1969, six years before Sattler was born.

Burke sits on the board of the 100 Club of Chicago, along with a long list of Chicago elected officials and prominent business men and woman.

"I know him quite well," Sattler said of Burke.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: