Ald. Mike Zalewski, of the 23rd Ward, announced Monday that he is resigning effective May 31.
In a letter to residents, Zalewski wrote that his decision is "the right one."
"I look forward to spending more time with my family and perusing other opportunities," he wrote.
All indications are Mayor Rahm Emanuel is likely to choose a Latino to replace the alderman in the Southwest Side ward.
The name most often mentioned as Zalewski’s replacement is State Rep. Silvana Tabares. The 23rd Ward is overwhelmingly Hispanic. Zalewski would be up for re-election in February 2019.
"As an Alderman, Chairman Zalewski has been a tireless advocate for the residents of the 23rd Ward," Emanuel said in a statement. "As chair of the aviation committee, he played a crucial role in modernizing Midway, transforming O'Hare and supporting the city's efforts to overhaul contracting and to ensure our airports are ready for the future of aviation. I join Chicagoans across the city in expressing my gratitude to the Alderman for his service and wishing him the best in his next chapter."
His son State Rep. Mike Zalewski does not live in the 23rd Ward and is not interested in the job.
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“My dad started in his career on the back of a garbage truck,"
State Representative Zalewski said, adding that “he has worked incredibly hard for a very long time for a city and neighborhood he loves.”
Zalewski has been the alderman for 23 years.
“I have never lost sight of the fact that it was not the actions on the council floor that allowed me to make the greatest impact, but the small things my office did in our community each and every day to assist residents and make our area a better place to live and raise a family," he said.
