Another member of the Chicago City Council is stepping down from their position, with Ald. Michele Smith announcing that she will leave office after 11 years.
Smith, whose 43rd Ward includes parts of Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Old Town, announced that she will retire from her position on Aug. 12.
“My decision to retire prior to the completion of this term is a difficult and deeply personal one,” she said in a statement on her website. “At this point in my life, I have deepening responsibilities towards family and friends. These personal issues mandate that I step down now.”
Smith is the chair of the council’s Ethics and Government Oversight committee, and also sits on the finance, public safety and budget and government operations committees, among others.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says that the process to replace Smith will begin on Friday.
"I have known and respected Michele for decades and her retirement is a great loss for her ward and our city, but she leaves behind a great legacy of service," Lightfoot said in a statement. "Michele has been an incredible advocate for not just the Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and Old Town communities but the entire city of Chicago. She and I share the same dedication to creating a more equitable city through social equity and good governance."
She is just the latest member of the City Council to retire from her position. Ald. Michael Scott Jr., who represented the city’s 24th Ward, resigned in May, and was replaced by his sister Monique Scott.
Local
Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was forced to resign in February after he was convicted on federal bank fraud charges.
Ald. Harry Osterman has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2023, and neither will Ald. James Cappleman.
