Now that Sandi Jackson has resigned as alderman of the 7th Ward, the City Council seat is open to a new candidate. This week, Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell let it leak that Sandi Jackson planned to name her own successor, her Chief of Staff Keiana Barrett.
In a no-press-allowed farewell address to staff and supporters, Jackson was recorded as saying:
“They are interviewing people in the community but they do that to calm people down. People want to have their input. But for the most part, they turn that matter over to the alderman.”
Not exactly true, says Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The mayor rebuffed Jackson’s comments and announced the official application process for the vacant council seat. Jackson can make suggestions if she wants, but so can anyone through the site, he says.
Emanuel opted for an application process in lieu of appointing a preference because he wants 7th Ward constituents to feel involved in the process–given there’s no election–he told the Sun-Times.
How to really become the next 7th Ward alderman:
- Actually live in the 7th Ward:
- Jackson shared a home in Washington D.C. with her husband and children and traveled between there and her home in Chicago to fulfill her alderman duties. Some of Jackson’s constituents felt this made her unfit to represent the ward and sought her removal from the council.
- Visit the application website, and download the application or access the online form.
- Submit the application via email, general delivery or online between Monday, January 21 and Friday, January 25 at 5 p.m.
- Be one of three finalists chosen by the mayor’s soon-to-be appointed review commission.
- Be selected by the mayor.
- Be sworn in hopefully by mid-February.
Does the process seem fair? Please share what you think in the comments:
