Mayor Lori Lightfoot's City Council floor leader resigns from leadership post

In a surprise move, Mayor Lori Lightfoot will replace her hand-picked floor leader, Ald. Gilbert Villegas, with veteran South Side Ald. Michelle Harris.

Villegas announced his resignation Tuesday in a letter to constituents. Hours later, Lightfoot announced Harris’ new role and said she would appoint a deputy floor leader, Southwest Side Ald. George Cardenas, to work with Harris.

“While I’m sad to see Alderman Villegas leave his post, I am thrilled Alderman Harris will be taking reigns as my new Floor Leader and that Alderman Cardenas will serve in a newly-created role as Deputy Floor Leader,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Michelle and George are smart, experienced, and respected by their colleagues. They will be a very dynamic team and will be great assets to help us do the people’s work.”

In the letter to constituents, Villegas said the role “pulled me away from where I believe my time is much more valuable for the city — as chairman of Economic, Capital, and Technology Development Committee.”

Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lightfoot-city-council-leader-resigns-20210202-4kbyckz7pnelpct75fpoxymunu-story.html