Appointment of Nicole Lee as 11th Ward Alder: Committee on Committees and Rules + City Council

@CHIdocumenters Former Alderman Thompson, member of the long time Daley clan, was convicted of federal fraud charges stemming from the collapse of a bridgeport bank. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/former-ald-patrick-daley-thompson-motion-new-trial/

@CHIdocumenters 27 folks had initially applied for the position. Mayor Lightfoot recommended Nicole Lee, to fill the position

https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-city-council-mayor-lori-lightfoot-patrick-daley-thompson-11th-ward/11674853/

@CHIdocumenters Nicole Lee, is a United Airlines executive, and a member of the wards soon to be majority Asian American community. Her father was a long time deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Daley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022/3/24/22994798/nicole-lee-gene-daughter-11th-ward-chicago-city-council-replacement-patrick-daley-thompson-lightfoot

@CHIdocumenters If appointed she will become the first Asian American Alder elected in Chicago.

@CHIdocumenters Currently Lee works as as the Director of Social Impact and Community engagement for United Airlines.

@CHIdocumenters We begin at 1:34, with Mayor Lightfoot residing.

@CHIdocumenters Currently 40/50 members are marked “present” however, it is indicated that Alderman Curtis and Burke are also in attendance. https://t.co/wsU2Z7QSL0

@CHIdocumenters Rev. Beth Brown from Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church is up to give the invocation following the pledge of allegiance.

She gives a brief prayer following a statement about the historic moment at the end of Womens History Month.

@CHIdocumenters We now move into the public comment period of the meeting which has been limited at 30 minutes total.

@CHIdocumenters We first move to Hong/Fan Lee. She represents the 11th ward IPO.

She says that she demands that the public and community be communicated with the ward.

She calls for livestreaming interviews, public comment periods, as well as community input.

@CHIdocumenters She says that there has been 0 transparency as a part of the process. She talks about how the selection process was made almost exclusively behind doors.

@CHIdocumenters She continues referencing how the former Mayor Daley, appointed 28 alderman during his term. She compares Mayor Lightfoots lack of transparency to Daley.

She says that the selection committee has “no grounds to stand on when it comes to transparency”

@CHIdocumenters Next we move to Mike Flournoy. He is running for Congress in 2022 and speaks on gun violence among others. While he is speaking Alderman Ervin comes up to the front of the and begins speaking with those chairing the meeting.

@CHIdocumenters Next up is George Blakemore. He is a famous “concerned citizen”. He speaks about how he knows very little about the new alderman. He speaks on Nicole Lee’s father saying that “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree”

He goes on a transphobic rant.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/02/21/chicagos-concerned-citizen-george-blakemore-celebrates-80th-birthday-with-flashy-party-and-doesnt-plan-on-being-quiet-anytime-soon/

@CHIdocumenters There are only a total of 3 speakers for the public comment period.

@CHIdocumenters Valencia nows moves to open the special meeting. Which will address the appointment of Nicole Lee, adjusting city committee appointments because of this, as well as a municipal code amendment.

@CHIdocumenters The rules committee led by Chair Harris has stated that the rules committee recommends the appointment of Nicole Lee. Further saying that anyone who did not attend the meeting could speak, but that any member who did attend would not.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Osterman (who was in the committee meeting) speaks up to welcome Nicole Lee to the City Council.

@CHIdocumenters Next up is Alderman Villegas (who was also at the committee meeting). He also welcomes her to the committee, praising her policy and non-profit experience.

@CHIdocumenters Chairman Waguespack is up next, he echoes the statements of his colleagues. He talks about prioritizing family wherever possible.

@CHIdocumenters Ald Cardenas is up.He talks about the “powerhouse” that is the 11th ward. He then speaks about the challenge of bringing together the constituencies of the ward. He speaks briefly on the redistricting process “I want to keep McKinley Park whole, you want to keep the 11th ward too

@CHIdocumenters With this, the appointment passes 45-0. With Ald. Taylor, Garza, Rodriquez Sanchez, and Hadden absent. https://t.co/NWFsJ3q6Zg

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Cappleman voices a vote for reconsideration, this is done to prevent such a vote occurring in the future. Which fails unanimously.

@CHIdocumenters With that, Nicole Lee is promptly sworn in and is now the 11th Ward Alderwoman

@CHIdocumenters She now takes the podium. She says that she has 47 years in the Chinatown community. She brings her teenagers up to the stand, and says she is proud of them as the 4th generation to live in the building that her Grandfather bought.

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Lee speaks on leading United Airlines disaster relief work. She says that she feels that she is in “exactly the right place at the right time” so that she can lead the city and make a difference.

@CHIdocumenters Chair Harris is up, she sends forth a resolution which would replace Fmr Alderman Thompson’s committee seats with Alderwoman Lee.

@CHIdocumenters The motion passes unanimously.
The motion to adjourn is likewise passed.

The meeting has come to a close.

@CHIdocumenters Mayor Lightfoot is set to take comments at 3:00