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Politics
Chicago

“I’m tired of this.” Reboyras is 15th council member on the way out

Former Public Safety Committee Chair won’t seek reelection

A photo illustration of 30th Ward Alderman Ariel Reboyras (Getty Images, 30th Ward Chicago)
A photo illustration of 30th Ward Alderman Ariel Reboyras (Getty Images, 30th Ward Chicago)

Yet another Chicago alderman is heading for the door.

Ald. Ariel Reboyras said he’ll stick it out until the end of his term but won’t seek reelection, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Formerly the Public Safety Committee Chair, Reboyras was one of the police union’s strongest supporters on the council.

“I’m tired of this. I have no ill feelings about anybody in city government, the mayor or anybody,” Reboyas told the outlet. “It’s just the right time for me.”

It’s clear he isn’t the only one who’s tired. Reboyras is now the 15th council member leaving their post.

Last week, Ald. Howard Brookins and Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza both announced that they would be retiring at the end of their terms and not seeking reelection. Just before that, Zoning Chair Ald. Tom Tunney said he would be retiring from the council, which he described as “not a good place to work these days.”

Reboyras, who served as alderperson to the 30th Ward for 20 years, said he has been “maxed out” on his pension and either “working for nothing” or paying to go into work for the past three terms.

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“I enjoyed helping people, helping constituents, but [the] City Council has changed,” he told the outlet. “We don’t have any committee meetings. Everything’s via Zoom, no in-person committee meetings. I just thought it was a good time to let a younger person take over with bright ideas.”

Last election, Reboyras narrowly secured his seat against Jessica Gutierrez, the daughter of former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez who Reboyras worked for years ago. She recently announced that she would run again for the seat, but Reboyras said that isn’t why he’s retiring.

Mayor Lightfoot already filled two vacant council seats after convicted Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson and Ald. Michael Scott Jr. resigned. Nicole Lee, the Council’s first Chinese American representative replaced Thompson and Scott’s sister Monique took his seat. Ald. Michelle Smith also resigned earlier this month, which offered Lightfoot the rare opportunity to appoint a third Council member.

In addition to the three seats Lightfoot filled in earnest, three other alderpersons intend to challenge the mayor for her seat.

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— Victoria Pruitt

Tags
Chicago City CouncilLori Lightfoot