How the Solis scandal will disrupt development plans in the 25th Ward

Under Chicago’s unwritten rule of “aldermanic privilege,” developments don’t move forward unless they get the local alderman’s blessing. But what happens when there’s no alderman around to give approvals?

That’s what developers with projects in the 25th Ward are finding out since embattled Alderman Danny Solis dropped off the radar after a federal investigation into him came to light, according to Block Club Chicago.

Solis chief of staff Francisco Lassio told Block Club that with the alderman nowhere to be found, projects requiring aldermanic or zoning approval will have to wait until the new alderman takes office in May. Even before the scandal broke, Solis announced he was not running in this month’s election, and five contenders are vying to replace him.

In the wake of the scandal, public meetings on planned apartment buildings at 19 North May Street and 37 South Sangamon Street had to be postponed, with no rescheduled dates in sight.

And a planned city meeting on Little Village industrial development also was postponed due to the absence of Solis and Alderman Ricardo Munoz (22nd), who hasn’t been at City Hall since being charged with attacking his wife Dec. 31.

[Block Club] — John O’Brien