John Rice (alderman)

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.

John Rice
City of Chicago Alderman
from the 36th Ward
In office
October 6, 2009 – May 16, 2011
Preceded byWilliam Banks
Succeeded byNicholas Sposato
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic

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.[21]

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.[22][23]

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.[24]

Rice died at his home in River Grove on May 30, 2015.[25]

References
  1. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-10-06). "Daley names Banks aide new alderman". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  2. "Public Payroll Database". Better Government Association. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  3. Stewart, Russ (2009-05-27). ""CINDERELLA STORY" IN 36TH WARD: FROM DRIVER TO ALDERMAN". Chicago's Northwest Side Press. Nadig Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  4. "Daley praises retiring Banks, mum on successor". Chicago Tribune. 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  5. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-10). "Driver sets $200 price on alderman's farewell, Likely successor says checks made out to Banks will 'buy him gift'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  6. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-10). "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". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  7. Gilmer, Marcus (2009-08-10). "Hot Ticket: Ald. Banks' Retirement Party". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  8. "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. Rhodes, Steve (2009-08-12). "Driving Bill Banks; In Chicago, a resume builder". NBC Chicago News. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  10. Goldberger, Ben (2009-08-10). "Alderman's Retirement Party Turned Into Personal Fundraiser". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  11. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-12). "Alderman's $200-a-ticket retirement party canceled". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  12. Gilmer, Marcus (2009-08-12). "Party Poopers: Ald. Banks' "Retirement" Party Canceled". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  13. Goldberger, Ben (2009-08-12). "Alderman's Retirement Party Cum Personal Fundraiser Canceled". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  14. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-07). "Retired Chicago alderman's seat going to his aide; Mayor Daley names John Rice to succeed William J.P. Banks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  15. Lutz, BJ (2009-10-06). "Daley Names Banks' Successor for 36th Ward; John Rice was William Banks' former aide". NBC Chicago News. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  16. Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-10-07). "Chicago City Council approves Banks' choice for 36th Ward alderman". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  17. "Chicago City Council approves abortion clinic protection". Chicago Tribune. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  18. Spielman, Fran (2009-10-07). "New alderman sworn in — twice: Rice raises his left hand, rather than right, so he had to repeat oath". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2009-10-10. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  19. Rhodes, Steve (2009-10-09). "New Alderman Sneaked Onto Council". NBC 5 News. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
  20. "Who Wants to Be an Alderman?". Chicago Reader. 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  21. Simpson, Dick; Nell, James; Mouritsen Zmuda, Missy; Gradel, Thomas J.; Smith, Cori; Kelly, Tom (March 2011), The Last of the Daley Years; Chicago City Council Voting Report #5; May 21, 2007 – January 13, 2011 (PDF), University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Political Science
  22. Mihalopoulos, Dan; Clauss, Hunter. "Deposed 36th Ward Alderman Blasts Challenger". Chicago News Cooperative.
  23. Kass, John (2011-04-07). "Nick Sposato throws 36th Ward machine for a loop". Chicago Tribune.
  24. Clauss, Hunter (2012-02-07). "Ousted Alderman Landed State Job the Day He Applied". Chicago News Cooperative.
  25. Mihalopoulos, Dan; O'Donnell, Maureen (June 3, 2015). "Former Northwest Side Alderman John Rice dead at 47". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2015.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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