An Alderman Out of Commission

    To start a new school year, our class on journalism took to looking at what makes a good news story. We reviewed stories from over decades of news and many recent publishings to test our knowledge of events and how to spot "fake news" when it's presented. What this first project had us do was look at local relevant issues in our neighborhoods, report on them, and get an inside perspective from some of our neighbors or people in the know to see what they have to say about these current issues. For this, I chose to research the approval of a new alderman for my very own ward, trying to stay as true to the information as possible and give as much insight as I could into what lies ahead for the alderman’s office of the 43rd ward.

An Alderman Out of Commission

As of last Wednesday, September 21st, Chicago’s 43rd ward was appointed a new alderman as a replacement for former alderman Michele Smith, who is retiring from her position after 11 years of service. Alderman Smith was serving her third term when she decided to step down saying quote “My decision to retire before the completion of this term is a difficult and deeply personal one,” Smith remarks in an email. “At this point in my life, I have deepening responsibilities towards family and friends. These personal issues mandate that I step down now.” In the case of an absence of an alderman between election cycles, the mayor has the authority to appoint a temporary fill for the position until the next election.

Smith’s resignation became effective on August 12th, then turned the duty of finding a new suitable temporary alderman to mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The 43rd ward encloses the three neighborhoods of Old Town, Lincoln Park, and The Gold Coast and shall now be looked over by Timmy Knudsen, former chairman of the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals. Knudsen, age 32, will now be the youngest alderman in Chicago and the 6th openly gay member of the city’s caucus.

                                                         

Michele Smith’s Office | DN | 2022

What Michele Smith is most well known for doing during her tenure is likely the passing of the Ethics Ordinance in January of 2022. Her proposal and creation of the ordinance herself; it has proven a good addition to the municipal code. While in office Smith had also helped with many other projects such as the creation of new streets and sidewalks, improvements to the sewer lines, and also planting hundreds of trees.

Timmy’s work before his appointment to the new seat as an alderman was mostly concerning the two law firms he worked for as an attorney. Graduating from The University of Illinois College of Law he has received national recognition for a deep commitment to pro bono that includes immigration services for asylum-seekers and assisting non-profit corporations in obtaining tax-exempt status. Knudsen is also a resident of the Old Town Neighbourhood and has promptly noticed some areas for improvement.

“I live in the Old Town Triangle and know public safety is the biggest concern among neighbors,” said Knudsen. “So the first thing we’re doing is looking at the menu dollars provided to each member of City Council to see where we can put them to ensure that families and children are safe.”

                                                              

Timothy Knudsen | DN | 2022

One of Knudsen’s first initiatives will be to install new cameras throughout Lincoln Park, Old Town, and The Gold Coast.

In an interview with former alderman previous to Michele Smith, Vi Daley to ask a few questions about what to look forward to and look out for with this new term starting. I asked what she thinks some of the challenges for Knudsen would be and she responded with ” Challenges the new Alderman will have? Getting to know who to work with within the city. There are so many departments that he needs to connect with to get things done in the Ward, and that doesn't happen overnight. Overseeing ongoing projects that Alderman Smith was involved with. Safety is a huge issue not only in the 43rd Ward but throughout the city. Getting to know the community groups and their concerns and just working with the other 49 Alderpersons.”

Knudsen has already filed the necessary paperwork for organizing a campaign committee to run for a full term in 2023, so he will have the advantage of running as an occupant of the post in the February 2023 election.






Sources:

“Mayor Lori Lightfoot Appoints Timmy Knudsen as New 43rd Ward Alderman to Replace Michele Smith.” ABC7 Chicago, 20 Sept. 2022, https://abc7chicago.com/new-43rd-ward-alderman-timmy-knudsen-mayor-lori-lightfoot-michele-smith/12241579/.

Wittich, Jake. “Timmy Knudsen Appointed 43rd Ward Alderman, Filling Vacancy Left by Michele Smith's Retirement.” Block Club Chicago, Block Club Chicago, 21 Sept. 2022, https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/21/timmy-knudsen-appointed-43rd-ward-alderman-filling-vacancy-left-by-michele-smiths-retirement/.

Team, CBS Chicago. “Timmy Knudsen Sworn in as New 43rd Ward Alderman after Chicago City Council Confirms His Appointment.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 21 Sept. 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/timmy-knudsen-sworn-in-as-new-43rd-ward-alderman-after-chicago-city-council-confirms-his-appointment/.

“Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith Resigns from Chicago City Council, Citing 'Personal Issues'.” WTTW News, 21 July 2022, https://news.wttw.com/2022/07/21/lincoln-park-ald-michele-smith-resigns-chicago-city-council-citing-personal-issues.

rbcushman3. “History of Old Town Chicago - A Brief History.” Town Square Publications, 27 Sept. 2019, https://townsquarepublications.com/history-of-old-town-chicago/.