Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus no longer is being considered as Billy Ocasio's replacement for 26th Ward alderman in Chicago.
In fact, according to the Chicago Tribune, Ocasio plans to have his wife, Veronica, succeed him. She serves as an aide to U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who has written a letter of recommendation on her behalf.
Windy City Times learned that De Jes"s' status had changed after asking various aldermen how they felt about possibly working with him on the council. Alderman Helen Shiller of the 46th Ward e-mailed July 16, "I'm pretty sure he is no longer under consideration."
( Other responses included 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney saying that he conveyed the sentiment of the LGBT community to Mayor Richard Daley so he could make an informed decision to 47th Ward Alderman Eugene Schulter expressing his displeasure at such a possibility, saying "we don't need people to be divisive." Brian Doherty of the 41st Ward said, "I do not believe Rev. De Jesus' religious beliefs would adversely affect his duties as a [ sic ] Alderman." )
The possibility of De Jesus being a part of Chicago's city council angered many in the LGBT community. De Jesus' New Life Covenant Ministries church is part of the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal fellowship that considers homosexuality a sin. In Chicago, many LGBT activists know him as the pastor who put the brakes last year on a planned Pride Campus, a school that designers hoped would act as a model school, providing a safe and affirming environment for LGBT and questioning youth and their allies.
De Jesus told the Tribune that his withdrawal was because he lives outside the 26th Ward ( residing in the 31st Ward ) and was not connected with the LGBT community's general displeasure with him, saying, "I think the LGBT community shared their concerns and I shared my concerns. It's an ordinance and we have to oblige by it and respect it." ( Windy City Times has attempted to contact De Jesus several times, without success. )
Billy Ocasio told the Tribune that his wife "is a very accomplished individual. She has worked with every community organization and every Latino elected official."
However, little is known of Veronica Ocasio's stances regarding gay rights. Attempts to contact Guiterrez's office were not returned by the time Windy City Times went to press.