Longtime LGBTQ+ ally and former Chicago Alderperson Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward) died July 31 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. She was 77.
A dedicated public servant for many years, Smith was born Nov. 2, 1946, in Chicago, where she lived the majority of her life. She attended the College of Saint Teresa from 1964-1967 and later graduated from Mundelein College (now a part of Loyola University Chicago) in 1985 with a BA in liberal studies and persuasive writing.
Smith met her husband Ronald Smith in early 1971, when he ran unsuccessfully for Illinois state Senator for the 12th District as an anti-Machine Democrat. She was a volunteer on that campaign; they connected romantically due to their love of politics. They were married in her parents’ home in Lincolnwood in late 1971 and lived in Chicago’s Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods together until his death in 2018. Ronald was a John Marshall Law School professor for 45 years and also a delegate when the Illinois Constitution was revised in 1970.
Prior to becoming an elected official, Smith was involved as an activist with the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization alongside fellow activists and future 48th Ward Alds. Marion Volini and Kathy Osterman respectively. She was also Osterman’s Chief of Staff during her tenure as alderperson.
In 1989, then Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Osterman as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Then Daley appointed Smith to Osterman’s open seat. Smith was elected in her own right in 1991 and then re-elected four more times. She retired in 2011.
The now-former Illinois House of Representatives Majority Leader Greg Harris, whom Smith appointed as her chief of staff, said he met her in the late ‘80s when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was raging through Chicago. At the time Harris, who was already out about his gay identity and HIV+ status, said his focus was with Open Hand Chicago, which he co-founded, and the first Chicago AIDS Walk for Life. Harris added that one reason Smith chose him as her chief of staff is because she wanted LGBTQ+ representation in her office; he stayed in that role until he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2006.
While Smith was alderperson, Harris said, “She was an early advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and was proud that the 48th Ward was home to many LGBTQ+ people and families … and was a voice for science-based rather than fear-based HIV/AIDS public policy and fought for funding for organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community and those providing education, outreach, services and care to people living with HIV.”
Smith created the now defunct 48th Ward Gay and Lesbian Coalition (GLC) to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in her ward. This included the GLC’s concerns about the local police’s lack of responsiveness to LGBTQ+ ward residents and their issues. Smith also became an early supporter of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy.
Additionally as alderperson, Smith signed onto a city council resolution to stop spending city money to travel to Colorado due to that state’s unconstitutional anti-LGBTQ+ Amendment 2; voted to expand rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people working for the city and sister agencies; and voted to extend health insurance benefits to domestic same-sex partners City workers years before marriage equality became law in Illinois.
“Ald. Smith helped Chicago House and Travelers and Immigrants Aid acquire and renovate multi-unit properties for affordable housing and supportive services to people living with HIV,” said Harris. “She helped educate the community about the need for these buildings and about compassion for our neighbors despite strong NIMBY opposition from some.
“In addition to Chicago House that provided housing and services for HIV+ (and later Trans) folks, and the San Miguel Apartments that served HIV+ and immigrant families, she also helped develop and fund a large number of affordable and supportive housing buildings in the neighborhood, including The Major Jenkins and Harold Washington SROs in partnership with Lakefront SRO (now Mercy Housing), the Leland Hotel, the Bryn Mawr and Belle Shore buildings and the 28 townhome International Homes community with Voice Of The People to give home ownership opportunities to working families and immigrant families in the Argyle Street area.”
Smith also secured funds for improvements/additions to William C. Goudy Technology Academy, George B. Swift Specialty School, Peirce Elementary School and Nicholas Senn High School in Edgewater; advocated for new locally owned businesses to come to the Ward; and worked with the Chambers of Commerce to renovate commercial streetscapes in Andersonville, Bryn Mawr among other neighborhoods and secured three National Register Historic Districts designations in Edgewater.
Harris spoke about Smith’s mission to create walkable, transit-oriented communities and that included the addition of traffic circles to slow drivers down. She spearheaded the installation of the first water permeable alleys in her ward, rain gardens that divert water from the sewer system and had more trees planted within her Ward. As the Parks and Recreation Committee Chair she increased and improved open spaces and parks in her Ward and across the City. She helped lead the reconstruction of the Lake Michigan revetment system along the North Side, as well as efforts to extend the city’s lakefront bike path further North and get smoking banned at all Chicago beaches.
Additionally, Harris said Smith was “a strong proponent of animal safety and against violence towards animals like dog fighting etc., especially showing the early links between participation in harm of animals to other types of violence and domestic violence. She supported initiatives such as safe syringe exchange programs, early childhood services and senior services through organizations such as South East Asia Center, and for higher standards for nursing home staffing and safety.”
Among Smith’s other alderperson leadership roles were as chair of the city council subcommittee on the Chicago lakefront, Vice-Chair of the Lake Michigan Federation and founding member of the citizen watchdog effort Operation Lake Watch.
After Smith retired from her alderperson role, she served on the Chicago Landmarks Commission, as the 48th Ward Democratic party president and, most recently, on the Zoning Advisory Council for the current 48th Ward Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.
Smith was inducted into Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame in 1997 as a Friend of the Community. She also received a United Nations Programme Award for Citizen Action to Protect the Global Environment, a Chicago Civic Federation Award to honor her campaign for a Walkable Edgewater (founded in 2000) and a Soles and Spokes Award from the Chicago Area Transportation Study.
In 2011, Loyola University presented Smith with one of its highest honors, the Coffey Award which was named after the Mundelein College’s first President Sr. Justicia Coffey, BVM.
Loyola University’s Women in Leadership Archives are the keepers of her decades of public service records.
On Oct. 9, 2024, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City Council passed a resolution to honor and highlight Smith’s life and her extensive work as an alderperson on behalf of many communities and their issues.
Smith is survived by her sons Michael (Liv Rainey-Smith) and Matt (Carolyn Chandler) Smith, her best friend Sue (Bob) Henning and countless other chosen family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Smith and parents Harold and Virginia Scherer.
Smith’s eldest son Michael (Democratic Party of Oregon Executive Committee, Democratic Party of Multnomah County Rules Chair and 2024 DNC Delegate from Oregon) said, “The loss of my mother has been and continues to be emotionally devastating. Nonetheless I take great comfort that she died in the way that she wanted, surrounded by family and friends. Mom was not just Mom, she was also my hero, and later on, when I became more involved in politics, my mentor. In particular, Mom taught me that true leadership means working with all communities on shared interests and making space for bright people to thrive in leadership roles of their own. I will miss her for the rest of my life, and I hope my life and work is always a credit to the incredible mother she was.”
Smith’s youngest son Matthew (a Chicago licensed clinical professional counselor who specializes in couples therapy) said, “Throughout my early years, Mom’s presence was regularly like dawn light through a kitchen window. Always being followed by 3 or 4 dogs and cats, mom radiated authenticity, sweetness, compassion and believed in what she felt was your own limitless potential to shine too. It was contagious positivity and genuine care which I saw disarm even the most hardened skeptic.
“Her spirit translated seamlessly into her Aldermanic years. She was very much a mother to the 48th ward community, whether they were ready for it or not. I once saw her on the phone with a constituent who demanded special zoning for their storefront, to which she replied, ‘it’s not manageable because of the school nearby.’ ‘What? Well I don’t care about the kids,’ boomed the voice from the other side. ‘Well then I don’t care about you,’ she said and slammed down the phone.
“She would bring large trays of Swedish bakery goodies to meetings she knew would be particularly hostile between all parties, again disarming all involved. As the years passed, moments like this forged the nickname Aldermom in the community. Or Alderbabe among close friends. But even though dawn light has to eventually set, Chicago’s Northside is a warmer, brighter, happier place because we were graced with her. My hope is that we all carry that light forward. As much for ourselves as for her.
“Also, when I was in her bedroom after she died to soothe the now lonely and confused cats who always flanked her, I found this Mary Oliver excerpt from ‘The Soul at Last’ circled: ‘The Lord’s terrifying kindness has come to me.’ Mom knew during her suffering that the moment was coming. The way she stubbornly discarded any medical/family advice at the end, I’m convinced she was fighting the psychological battle with all her might. And oddly enough, simultaneously daring and welcoming the terrible embrace of passing.”
Smith’s lifelong friend Sue Henning said, “Some people knew her as a politician, others as a neighbor. I knew her as my oldest and best friend. In her heart, she recognized the humanity of each person. This was the force behind the causes she championed—clean air and water, safe walkable streets, green space and play space, health and social service needed to live well and with dignity. Her love of animals was on a level of its own. In pursuit of her goals, Mary Ann was fearless. She worked with a twinkle in her eye and a wicked sense of humor. Mary Ann loved this stuff because she was doing it for the people. She took real joy in making things work. Mary Ann leaves a space in my heart.”
Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) said “I am deeply saddened that my dear friend Mary Ann has passed away. She was always so supportive, warm and compassionate to her constituents and to her friends. Mary Ann was an excellent Alderwoman who cared deeply for all people and provided excellent constituent services and advocacy. She was a leader on environmental sustainability and worked hard to protect green spaces, the lake, and local rivers. Mary Ann left her mark on the 48th Ward and on Chicago, and we will miss her leadership, support and friendship.”
“When Mary Ann hired me it was in the dark early days of the AIDS epidemic, and probably a big decision for her,” said Harris. “I had already been diagnosed as HIV+ and with AIDS shortly thereafter and didn’t know how much longer I would have given the trajectory of the disease in those days. That was emblematic of how she lead. She did not do a lot of media splashes (other than being arrested once), but led by the power of example, and by doing her best to understand every person and bring them along to the next level of their life as best she could. She was always a voice for common sense, compassion and caring. We are far better off because she was here.”
Smith’s longtime friend, 9th Congressional District Democratic Committeewoman and former Illinois House and Senate member Carol Ronen said, “Chicago lost a true leader and I lost a dear friend. Mary Ann was an incredible leader who was able to grapple with complex issues such as the environment, transportation and crime. On the Chicago City Council she brought forward progressive plans to improve the public response to these issues; and she raised problems that would never have been addressed without her. She was able to elevate dialogue and gain consensus among a city council that was not as forward thinking as she.
“In her ward she brought neighbors together, encouraged the development of block clubs and created an environment that allowed for people to work together. She also created an LGBT advisory committee in the early 90s when equality was not yet supported by a majority of the people. Mary Ann made it mainstream by talking about how the strongest block clubs were LGBT led. She had an intuitive sense which in combination with her rock solid principles made her a force.
“As a friend, she was the best. Our lives converged when we both chose to run for office. In fact, in 1992 when I ran against an incumbent Democrat , she was the only elected official to support me. After Jan Schakowsky became the Congresswoman in 1998, Mary Ann convinced all the elected officials to office together. It was a one stop shop which insured local residents would receive services in a timely manner. And from my perspective as the state Senator, it was wonderful working with all my colleagues…who were all outspoken progressive Women. Over our years of friendship we shared the good and the bad. We worked on elections together and took each other to Doctor visits. She was one of a kind and I miss her so much already.”
Former 44th Ward Alderperson and Ann Sather Restaurants Owner Tom Tunney (who worked alongside Smith in Chicago’s city council) said, “Mary Ann was always a trusted friend and we had a close relationship that pre-dated our time together on the city council. We met in the early days of Ann Sather Andersonville when she was Osterman’s chief of staff. Our relationship grew from that interaction until I got elected to the city council. She was very helpful in my early days as an elected official and I will always remember her wit, and sense of humor. What impressed me the most about her was her keen intellect, quiet demeanor and her commitment to the city and most especially the residents of the 48th ward.”
Old St. Pats Pastor Fr. Jack Wall said, “It will be a great gathering as Mary Ann joins the Fantastic and Fabulous ‘Women of the 48th Ward’ in the ultimate City of God. I’m still waiting for someone to write a Ph.D. thesis in political science on all the good, creative and visionary leadership that was given to the Edgewater neighborhood and to the City of Chicago because of them. What a blessing each of them was. God bless Mary Ann and deep peace to her family.”
Current 48th Ward Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said, “Alderwoman Mary Ann Smith paved the way for women like me to serve on City Council. It has been an honor to follow in her footsteps. She cared deeply for the 48th Ward and served throughout her lifetime including most recently on the 48th Ward Zoning Advisory Council. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with her family.”
A funeral mass will take place at St. Ita Catholic Church, 5500 N Broadway in Chicago at noon on Friday Aug. 23.
Smith’s open to the public celebration of life will take place Saturday Oct. 26 from 2-5 p.m. at Mundelein Center- Jo Ann Rooney Hall, 1020 W. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660. To RSPV, please visit here.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, people should donate to The Animal Legal Defense Fund in her name.