After a tonsillectomy, Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) has been diagnosed with throat cancer, forcing him to abandon his plan to run for mayor, his top aides told associates on Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
Fioretti has scheduled a news conference Tuesday to announce the surprise diagnosis that will force him to begin a two-month treatment plan that will make it impossible for him to run for mayor.
Instead, Fioretti plans to seek re-election as alderman.
The 57-year-old alderman could not be reached for comment on Monday. His chief of staff refused to confirm the cancer diagnosis.
On Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that a "health concern" had forced Fioretti to reconsider his mayoral ambitions.
Mayor Richard Daley announced Sept. 7 that he would not seek a seventh term.
