Michael D. Rodriguez (born August 31, 1978) is a Chicago politician. He is the alderman of Chicago's 22nd ward and took office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. He was elected in the 2019 aldermanic election, in an open race to succeed incumbent alderman Ricardo Muñoz.[1][2]
Michael Rodriguez | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 22nd ward | |
| Assumed office May 20, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Ricardo Muñoz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1978 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | DePaul University (BA) University of Chicago (MA) |
Early life and education
editRodriguez earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul University and a master's degree from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.[3] He worked as an executive officer at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and was the executive director of the non-profit Enlace, an organization founded by Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, that worked on social issues in Little Village.[1]
Rodriguez ran for 22nd ward alderman in the 2019 election for Chicago City Council, in an open race to succeed incumbent Ricardo Munoz. Facing three other candidates in the first round of the election on February 26, 2019, he won 64% of the vote and became the alderman-elect.[2]
On April 10, 2019, Rodriguez joined six other newly elected members of the City Council in protesting against the approval of tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 real estate developments.[4]
Chicago City Council
editRodriguez took office as a member of the Chicago City Council on May 20, 2019.
In November 2019, Rodriguez was one of eleven aldermen to vote against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget.[5]
On April 11, 2020, Hilco Redevelopment Partners, with approval by the administration of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, coordinated an implosion of a 275-foot smokestack during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a cloud of dust and particulate matter to envelop the surrounding area, mostly contained within the boundaries of Chicago's 22nd Ward. Rodriguez notified the community of the pending implosion through social media after Hilco failed to inform the community as it had promised.[6]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Michael D. Rodriguez | 3,104 | 63.80 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lisette "Liz" Lopez | 675 | 13.87 | |
| Nonpartisan | Richard Juarez | 610 | 12.54 | |
| Nonpartisan | Neftalie Gonzalez | 476 | 9.78 | |
| Total votes | 4,865 | 100 | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Peña, Mauricio (27 February 2019). "Michael Rodriguez Wins In 22nd Ward Race To Replace Outgoing Ricardo Muñoz". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ a b Bremer, Shelby (19 February 2019). "22nd Ward Election: Rodriguez Defeats 3 to Replace Munoz". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ "About Mike". Mike Rodriguez for 22nd Ward Alderman. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (April 10, 2019). "City Council OKs $1.6 billion in subsidies for Lincoln Yards, 'The 78'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
Joining the protesters were seven newly-elected progressive aldermen: Daniel La Spata (1st); Mike Rodriguez (22nd); Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th); Andre Vasquez (40th); Matt Martin (47th) and Maria Hadden (49th).
- ^ Spielman, Fran (26 November 2019). "City Council approves Lightfoot's $11.6 billion budget — with 11 'no' votes". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (5 May 2020). "Illinois sues Hilco over smokestack demolition in Little Village". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "2019 Municipal General - 2/26/19". Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 26, 2019 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
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