Matthew J. O’Shea

Alderman of Chicago’s 19th Ward
Class of 1989
Matthew J. O’Shea serves as the current alderman of Chicago’s 19th Ward. O’Shea is in his fourth term and represents the communities of Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood by helping improve local schools, stimulate economic development and enhance public safety.

A lifelong resident of the 19th Ward, O’Shea grew up in Beverly and attended Christ the King Grammar School and Mount Carmel High School. In 1987, O’Shea took his first classes at Moraine Valley and later transferred to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, earning his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1991.

After graduation, O’Shea began his career in public service and community advocacy in Cook County. He worked as an aide for several politicians, including former 19th Ward Alderwoman Ginger Rugai and state Rep. Kevin Joyce. He served as a social worker in the Cook County court system, the assistant director of operations for Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan and the director of community programs at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. In 2011, O’Shea became alderman of the 19th Ward, the ninth in the ward’s history.

Many of O’Shea’s accomplishments have benefited the Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood communities. He has worked to increase access to high quality public school options, welcomed new businesses to commercial corridors and helped open the Beverly Arts Center and the Morgan Park Sports Center. O’Shea chairs the city council’s Committee on Aviation and serves on the following
committees: Budget & Government Operations, Education & Child Development, Finance, Committees & Rules, Ethics & Oversight, License & Consumer Protection, and Special Events.

Passionate about public safety, O’Shea secured funding for more than two dozen public safety cameras within the 22nd District. He also raised more than $500,000 to purchase new bulletproof vests for officers through his work with the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Furthermore, O’Shea worked with the Chicago Police Department to build a new officer wellness facility, which opened in 2023.

An advocate for volunteerism, O’Shea participates with local nonprofit organizations, including the Beverly Area Planning Association, Maple Morgan Park Community Food Pantry, Mount Greenwood Community & Business Association, Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Saint John Fisher Holy Name Society, Road Home Program at Rush Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House at Advocate
Children’s Hospital.

O’Shea and his wife, Cara, live in West Beverly with their three children, Brigid, Patrick and Eileen.