In the Feb. 22 election, Cullerton received 5,833 votes, or 47.6 percent, and Caravette received 2,713 votes, or 22.1 percent of the total cast.

“We feel pretty confident that we will hold it at 60 to 40 percent,” Cullerton said. “I’m grateful to the people that they came out and voted and I’m looking forward to getting back to work. Tomorrow is a work day.”

Caravette, a real estate broker and a business owner who has a degree in political science from Northern Illinois University, said that he was running for alderman because the ward needed fresh ideas. He said that the alderman’s office should have accessibility, transparency and dependability.

Following the Feb. 22 election, Cullerton was proud that he ran a clean campaign. In recent weeks however, a Web site sponsored by the group Citizens for Tim Cullerton stated that Caravette has been cited more than 132 times for violations at his buildings.

Cullerton called Caravette a “slumlord” during a forum held at Luther High School North, 5700 W. Berteau Ave. in March.

Caravette defended himself at the forum and said that Cullerton exaggerated the number of citations against him and that most problems for which he was cited were caused by tenants whom he was trying to evict. Caravette said those issues were resolved.

“It was necessary to point out Mr. Caravette’s record and I didn’t necessarily think that that was a negative thing. People run on their record,” Cullerton said.

Cullerton said that he didn’t take anything for granted during the campaign season, and that he was confident that he would be successful during the election.

“I’m happy and I’m looking forward to getting the ward cleaned up, fixing our street lights and filling our pot holes and working on the other issues that need to be taken care of,” Cullerton said.

A member of the Cullerton family has occupied the 38th Ward aldermanic seat for decades. Cullerton’s sister, Patty Jo Cullerton, is the ward Democratic committeeman, and Allen is related to the family by marriage.