Chicago Mayor has Another Seat to Fill on Zoning Board Of Appeals

Mayor Brandon Johnson was already pressed to appoint a commissioner of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Now, he has another vacancy to fill.

Sam Toia, the long-standing head of the Illinois Restaurant Association, has stepped down from his position on the zoning board, Crain’s reported.

Toia’s resignation marks the second vacancy on the five-member board.

Confirming his resignation, Toia stressed that his decision was completely voluntary. Initially appointed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and retained by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Toia was the longest-serving commissioner on the board.

With Toia’s departure, criticism is mounting against Johnson for leaving seats unfilled. Chicago City Council previously voiced discontent over the prolonged vacancy, especially after former chair Timmy Knudsen’s transition to city council left one seat open.

In response to inquiries, the mayor’s office stated that it’s in the process of reviewing candidates, aiming to introduce them at the next council meeting. However, the approval process by council suggests that the earliest the new commissioners could assume their positions would be May 17, the outlet reported.

The board’s responsibilities include resolving zoning disputes and granting special-use permits for various establishments, such as cannabis dispensaries and homeless shelters.

The current shortage of commissioners has already affected decision-making, as witnessed in the rejection of a proposed transitional men’s shelter in Uptown due to a tie vote among the four commissioners.

The delay in appointments threatens to impede progress on future projects, including additional transitional shelters supported by the Johnson administration.

—Quinn Donoghue