Eight Black aldermen were among Mayor-elect Lori Light’s proposed shakeup of the leadership of the City Committees.
“Chicagoans expect us to deliver on our commitment to end the old way of doing business in City Council, and this proposal will begin to chart that course,” said Mayor-elect Lightfoot. “We worked hard to ensure diversity in committee leadership, and to empower aldermen who will help achieve our mission of a more transparent and accountable City Council.”
The proposal includes:
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) as chair of the Committee on Finance
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) as chair of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Workforce Development
Ald. Howard Brookins (21st Ward) as chair of the Committee on Transportation and Public Way
Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules
Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation
Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. (24th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Education and Child Development
Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19th Ward) as the chair of Committee on Aviation
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) as the chair of the Committee on Public Safety
Ald. Harry Osterman (48th Ward) as the chair of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate
Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer (6th Ward) as the chair of the Committee on Health and Human Relations (formerly the Committee on Human Relations)
Ald. George Cárdenas (12th Ward) as chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy (formerly Committee on Health and Environmental Protection)
Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward) as chair of the Committee on License and Consumer Protection
Ald. Carrie Austin (34th Ward) was noticeably absent from the list.
The proposal includes several changes to the committee structure, including the creation of a new Committee on Ethics and Good Governance with Ald. Michele Smith (43) as chair; the creation of a Committee on Public Health and Human Relations and a Committee on Environment and Energy, which were previously one combined committee; and the creation of a Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity to focus on matters relating to minority and women-owned business contracting, with Ald. Carrie Austin as chair (34).
“These City Council committees are a reflection of my administration’s priorities, and I ask that aldermen rally around them and work with me to realize a vision of a safe, healthy and equitable city for all,” said Mayor-elect Lightfoot. “I am grateful to the aldermen who have agreed to stand up and lead the way forward with me.”
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) will serve as President Pro Tempore while Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) will serve as Floor Leader. Ald. Tom Tunney (44) will serve as Vice Mayor.
Ald. Villegas, who is the outgoing chair of the City Council’s Latino Caucus, will be the first Latino City Council floor leader in Chicago history.
Mayor-elect Lightfoot has spoken to all the proposed chairs in recent days.
Aldermen will vote on the proposed committee leadership structure at the May 29th City Council meeting.
