Ald. Roberto Maldonado withdraws candidacy for another term
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Veteran Chicago Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) has withdrawn his candidacy for reelection.
Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Max Bever confirmed that Maldonado withdrew his candidacy on Friday and will not be running for reelection as alderman of the 26th Ward.
The 26th Ward includes much of the Humboldt Park neighborhood, including the park itself. It also includes parts of West Humboldt Park and West Town.
Maldonado has served as alderman of the ward since 2009, and served as a Cook County commissioner representing the same general area for 15 years before that.
There was no immediate comment from his office.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement praising Maldonado's record:
"For nearly three decades, Alderman Roberto Maldonado has done tremendous work to represent and advocate for residents on our city's West Side. Before becoming the 26th Ward's Alderman in 2009, he served Chicago for 15 years as Cook County Commissioner. Notably, when he was elected for this role in 1994, Alderman Maldonado became the first Puerto Rican in the nation to serve as a county commissioner—an accomplishment we continue to applaud him for today. As Cook County Commissioner, and especially as chair for the Stroger and Cermak Hospitals and Law Enforcement and Corrections Committees, he drew on his previous experience as a CPS psychologist to better connect to residents and fulfill their unique needs. Alderman Maldonado's empathetic approach to public service has only deepened throughout his 13 years as 26th Ward Alderman—as evidenced by his fierce advocacy for more affordable housing and push for anti-gentrification legislation to protect his constituents from displacement. I thank him for his years of passionate leadership in service of this great city."
Maldonado makes the 16th alderman elected in 2019 who has opted not to run for reelection this year.
Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th), Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), and Ald. James Cappleman (46th) will be retiring at the end of their current terms.
Indicted Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), who is facing bribery charges, will step down in March.
Indicted Ald. Ed Burke (14th), who is facing bribery and racketeering charges, and is the longest-serving member on the City Council, will not run for a record 15th term.
Former Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) resigned in August, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Timmy Knudsen to replace her.. Former Ald. Michael Scott (24th) stepped down in June, and was replaced with his sister, Monique. Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th) stepped down in February after he was convicted of federal tax charges, and was replaced by Nicole Lee.
Former Ald. George Cardenas (12th) resigned in November after winning election to the Cook County Board of Review, and has been replaced by his former chief of staff, Anabel Abarca.
Ald. Sophia King (4th), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) are giving up their seats on the City Council to run for mayor. Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) originally planned to run for mayor, but dropped out in November and opted to run for re-election.