Ald. JoAnn Thompson died Monday at the age of 58 after suffering a sudden heart failure, but her family says they still want Thompson's name on the 16th Ward election ballot, according to her campaign spokesman, Ray Harris.
The Chicago Board of Elections printed a notice to all voters in the 16th Ward Tuesday notifying them of Thompson's death. Her name remained on the ballot Tuesday afternoon, but officials said ballots would be reprinted and touchscreens reprogrammed to remove her name.
Thompson's family, however, said taking her name off the ballot would take away the voice of her supporters.
Harris said "the family is considering legal action."
Thompson had represented the 16th Ward since 2007. The ward includes the Englewood and Gage Park neighborhoods.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called Thompson a "tireless advocate" for her constituents.
Due to the ward map being redrawn, Thompson was in a hotly-contested re-election battle. One of her opponents was Ald. Toni Foulkes (15th).
