Mayor Richard M. Daley is holding a press conference at 3 p.m. to discuss the City Council’s two vacant positions.
While it’s unclear what exactly he’ll be discussing, he has until tomorrow to name a replacement for former Alderman Manny Flores, who resigned his 1st Ward seat in January to take a position with Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration.
The seat of former 29th Ward Alderman Isaac “Ike” Carothers, who pleaded guilty to bribery Feb. 1, is also awaiting an appointment.
Daley has 60 days from the time a seat becomes vacant to name a replacement.
In February, he sent out a call for applications from the public, seen largely as a step towards transparency. Aldermanic appointments have traditionally been made behind closed doors in conference with the outgoing alderman.
Last week, after some delay, the city released the names of nearly 60 aldermanic hopefuls.
The 1st Ward applicants include 1st Ward Committeeman Jesse Juarez, whose application, obtained by the Current, includes a reference from Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Berrios; State Board of Education director Jesse Ruiz, whose fundraising for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and ties to the disbanded Hispanic Democratic Organization has caused concern; Deborah Lopez, a Chicago Transit Authority official and former chief of staff to former Alderman Billy Ocasio, and Raymond Valdez, Flores’ former chief of staff.