Former Alderman Sandi Jackson says 'I'm picking my own replacement for alderman'

Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun Times has obtained a recorded conversation between former Alderman Sandi Jackson (7th) and her staff discussing among things, who would be her successor. The media was barred from the gathering, according to Mary Mitchell.

Former Alderman Sandi Jackson has named her chief of staff, Keiana Barrett, as her successor. However, the authority to name an alderman are in the hands of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“From an insider’s point of view, Mayor Rahm may say he wants to have interviews. The people he will interview will be the people I am suggesting,” former Alderman Jackson told the gathering made up mostly of political workers. “They are interviewing people in the community, but they do that to calm people down. People want to have their input. But for the most part, they turn that matter over to the alderman.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel may have other ideas as his office announced they are accepting online applications for the position. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has promised that his first aldermanic appointment would be based on a transparent community process.

For one thing, Keiana Barrett does not currently reside in the ward. For another, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will name whomever he pleases to the post. Regardless of the wishes of the former alderman.

Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions, johnpresta@att.net.

John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books