Chicago Ald. Michele Smith announced that she will leave office after 11 years, NBC 5 Chicago reported.
Smithwhose 43rd Ward includes parts of Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Old Townannounced that she will retire from her position on Friday, Aug. 12. "My decision to retire prior to the completion of this term is a difficult and deeply personal one," she said in a statement on her website. "At this point in my life, I have deepening responsibilities towards family and friends. These personal issues mandate that I step down now."
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says that the process to replace Smith will begin Friday, July 22.
Ald. Michael Scott Jr., who represented the city's 24th Ward, resigned in May; his sister, Monique Scott, succeeded him. Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was forced to resign in February after he was convicted on federal bank-fraud charges; and Alds. Harry Osterman and James Cappleman have announced they will not seek re-election in 2023.
Cappleman first ran for office in 2007 against longtime Uptown Ald. Helen Shiller, Block Club Chicago noted. He lost that race but won the race to succeed Shiller in the 2011 election after the 24-year alderperson decided to retire.