John Rice (alderman) explained

Office:City of Chicago Alderman
from the 36th Ward
Term Start:October 6, 2009
Term End:May 16, 2011
Predecessor:William Banks
Successor:Nicholas Sposato
Party:Democrat

John Rice (c. 1968 – May 30, 2015) was an American politician. He was alderman of the City of Chicago, representing the 36th ward on the city's far northwest side, from 2009 to 2011.

Political career

Rice was a member of the 36th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, one of Alderman William Banks' (36th) political action committees.[1]

Career in government

Rice worked for the Cook County Highway Department from 1991 to 1997.[1] Rice had worked for the City of Chicago since October 1, 1997.[2] Rice worked as a city zoning inspector from 1997 to 2005.[1] Rice was a long-time employee of the Chicago City Council with a title of "Assistant to the Alderman,"[2] working as a driver to Banks.[1] [3]

Appointment to City Council

In late April, 2009, Banks announced his intention to retire from City Council. Banks asked Mayor Richard M. Daley to appoint Rice as his replacement.[4]

Rice organizes retirement party for Banks

While Rice was under consideration by Daley for appointment as alderman, Rice organized a $200-a-ticket retirement party for Banks at a Rosemont restaurant. Rice sent out invitations instructing those purchasing tickets to "make checks payable to William J. P. Banks (Memo -- Retirement Party)" and mail the checks to Rice's house.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Days after a report in the Chicago Tribune, the party was cancelled.[11] [12] [13]

Appointment, confirmation, and swearing-in

Daley announced the appointment of Rice, then 41, as the new 36th Ward alderman on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.[1] [14] [15] The City Council unanimously approved the appointment the next day, Wednesday, October 7, 2009,[16] and Daley swore in Rice.[17] [18] The appointment of Rice drew criticism from some in the local media.[19] [20] After Rice took office, he voted consistently in support of Mayor Daley's positions.

On April 5, 2011, Chicago firefighter Nick Sposato defeated Rice with 56% of the vote, 5,629 to 4,378. "It's a sad day for the people of the 36th Ward, because the people have no idea what they just did to themselves," Rice said.[21] [22]

Post-aldermanic career

On November 21, 2011, Rice applied for and, on the same day, started a newly created, $84,420-a-year position as a deputy director of traffic safety with the Illinois Department of Transportation in the James R. Thompson Center across the street from Chicago City Hall. The opening was never posted.[23]

Rice died at his home in River Grove on May 30, 2015.[24]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Daley names Banks aide new alderman . . 2009-10-06 . 2009-10-07.
  2. Web site: Public Payroll Database . 2009-10-08 . Better Government Association.
  3. News: "CINDERELLA STORY" IN 36TH WARD: FROM DRIVER TO ALDERMAN . Stewart . Russ . 2009-05-27 . 2009-10-08 . Nadig Newspapers . Chicago's Northwest Side Press . https://web.archive.org/web/20090619215529/http://www.russstewart.com/5-27-09.htm . 2009-06-19 . dead .
  4. News: Daley praises retiring Banks, mum on successor . . 2009-05-02 . 2009-10-08.
  5. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Driver sets $200 price on alderman's farewell, Likely successor says checks made out to Banks will 'buy him gift' . . 2009-08-10 . 2009-10-07.
  6. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Make the check out to the alderman (for a retirement present); Retirement party organizer asking attendees for $200 checks made out to Ald. William J.P. Banks . . 2009-08-10 . 2009-11-06.
  7. Web site: Marcus . Gilmer . Hot Ticket: Ald. Banks' Retirement Party . . 2009-08-10 . 2009-11-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090814190544/http://chicagoist.com/2009/08/10/hot_ticket_ald_banks_retirement_par.php . 2009-08-14 .
  8. News: Alderman To Get Lots Of Checks For Retirement; Driver, Would-Be Successor To Throw Party, Ask For Personal Donations For The Retiring William J.P. Banks . CBS 2 Chicago News . 2009-08-10 .
  9. News: Steve . Rhodes . Driving Bill Banks; In Chicago, a resume builder . NBC Chicago News . 2009-08-12 . 2009-11-06 .
  10. News: Alderman's Retirement Party Turned Into Personal Fundraiser . . 2009-08-10 . 2009-11-06 . Ben . Goldberger.
  11. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Alderman's $200-a-ticket retirement party canceled . . 2009-08-12 . 2009-10-07.
  12. Web site: Marcus . Gilmer . Party Poopers: Ald. Banks' "Retirement" Party Canceled . https://web.archive.org/web/20171106160531/http://chicagoist.com/2009/08/12/party_poopers_ald_banks_retirement.php . dead . 2017-11-06 . . 2009-08-12 . 2009-11-06 .
  13. News: Alderman's Retirement Party Cum Personal Fundraiser Canceled . . 2009-08-12 . 2009-11-06 . Ben . Goldberger.
  14. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Retired Chicago alderman's seat going to his aide; Mayor Daley names John Rice to succeed William J.P. Banks . . 2009-08-07 . 2009-11-06.
  15. News: BJ . Lutz . Daley Names Banks' Successor for 36th Ward; John Rice was William Banks' former aide . NBC Chicago News . 2009-10-06 . 2009-11-06 .
  16. News: Dan . Mihalopoulos . Chicago City Council approves Banks' choice for 36th Ward alderman . . 2009-10-07 . 2009-10-07.
  17. News: Chicago City Council approves abortion clinic protection . . 2009-10-07 . 2009-10-07.
  18. News: Fran . Spielman . New alderman sworn in — twice: Rice raises his left hand, rather than right, so he had to repeat oath . . 2009-10-07 . 2009-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091010012005/http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1811408,chicago-alderman-sworn-in-twice-100709.article . 2009-10-10 . dead .
  19. News: Steve . Rhodes . New Alderman Sneaked Onto Council . NBC 5 News . 2009-10-09 . 2009-10-09.
  20. News: Who Wants to Be an Alderman? . . 2010-03-18 . 2010-03-18.
  21. News: Deposed 36th Ward Alderman Blasts Challenger . Dan . Mihalopoulos . Hunter . Clauss . Chicago News Cooperative.
  22. News: Nick Sposato throws 36th Ward machine for a loop . 2011-04-07 . John . Kass . John Kass . .
  23. News: Ousted Alderman Landed State Job the Day He Applied . Hunter . Clauss . Chicago News Cooperative . 2012-02-07.
  24. News: Former Northwest Side Alderman John Rice dead at 47 . Mihalopoulos . Dan . O'Donnell . Maureen . . June 3, 2015 . November 5, 2015 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307155057/http://chicago.suntimes.com/local-obits/former-northwest-side-alderman-john-rice-dead-at-47/ . March 7, 2016 .

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