CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Lightfoot said in the end Nicole Lee was the only choice for the job.
The United Airlines executive, the mayor said, has the background and the ability to be the next 11th Ward alderwoman.
“Her passion, confidence, and commitment to collaboration, on top of her more than 20 years of leadership and strong track record of service to the 11th Ward and Asian American communities, makes her deeply qualified for this role,” Lightfoot said.
Lee admitted she has a lot to learn at city hall but she is also ready to listen here in the ward.
“My top priority, should I be so lucky to be confirmed on Monday, will be to understand what all’s been going on in the ward and hasn’t been going on,” said Lee.
Mayor Lightfoot stressed she wasn’t bothered that her 11th Ward aldermanic appointee’s father, Gene Lee, was convicted in 2014 of embezzling money from Aisian charities. She bristled when the question kept coming up.
“This is about her. Her life, her experience, and how she is going to do in leading this ward in this challenging time,” the mayor said.
But asked about her father, a one time advisor to former Mayor Richard Daley, Lee said he was a man who worked hard every day, and yes, he was a role model.
“He was somebody in the ward, in our community, that people could look to and that’s what I take from his modeling for me, every day growing up. If somebody needed something, he was there to help out, ” said Lee.
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Grace Chan McKibben is director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community and has been working hard for better representation and services for a long time. She was on the panel that selected Nicole Lee as a finalist for 11th Ward alderperson. She and the other committee members stood by proudly as Lee was introduced. It’s a moment that’s been a long time coming.
“ We’ve been talking for the past six months about how important it is to have representation on city council, how important it is to have a first ever Asian American majority ward, and today (Thursday) we’ve made history,” said Chan McKibben.
“I think that we are making progress, one step at a time and today (Thursday) we’ve made a giant step forward and we’re very excited,” added Chan McKibben.
The next step: seeing city council redistricting through what will likely be a referendum vote and the reality of a predominantly Asian ward.
If confirmed by the city council, Nicole Lee will be the first Asian American woman on the council. She will replace Patrick Daley Thompson who was convicted on federal bank fraud charges.