On Sept. 13, Northwest Side Ald. Ariel Reboyras announced he is stepping down at the end of his term next year—marking the 15th retirement or pending departure of a Chicago City Council member ahead of the 2023 election, The Chicago Tribune reported.
The alderman of the 30th Ward has served in his role for two decades. Among other things, he headed the Public Safety Committee under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel during a turbulent time for policing in Chicago. Reboyras was seen as the face of Emanuel’s reform efforts following the Chicago police murder of Laquan McDonald, a Black 17-year-old, and was let go from the leadership role after Mayor Lori Lightfoot was elected.
In a statement, Reboyras cited family-related concerns for leaving.
Other City Council members who have announced they are not seeking re-election include Alds. Tom Tunney (44th Ward), James Cappleman (46th), Howard Brookins (21st), Michele Smith (43rd), Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th), Harry Osterman (48th), Leslie Hairston (5th) and Carrie Austin (34th). Austin said she will not run again after being indicted on federal bribery charges.
Three other members of the council—Alds. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), Sophia King (4th) and Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th)—are running for mayor next year against Lightfoot, so they are unable to seek re-election as City Council members. Ald. George Cardenas (12th Ward) will exit the council before the end of his term should he be elected in November to serve on the Cook County’s Board of Review. Now-former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson is currently in a Wisconsin prison, serving a four-month sentence for tax-related offenses.