Another Chicago alderman – James Cappleman – announces plans to leave City Council

Chicago Ald. James Cappleman Photo credit FACEBOOK/Ald. James Cappleman

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Ald. James Cappleman has announced he won’t seek another term in office next year and becomes the latest alderman to leave the City Council.

The former social worker has been an alderman since 2011. He said Tuesday the time is right to move on to another adventure but adds his 46th Ward is in a good place.

Cappleman, one of a number of openly gay council members, said he and his husband have no plans to leave the community.

"We will do what we've always done since we met one another over 30 years ago; we will keep giving our time to endeavors that will make our planet better for everyone,” Cappleman said in a prepared statement.

Mayor Lightfoot calls him the conscience of the council and said she plans to work on a number of projects with Cappleman before he leaves.

Lightfoot was asked about the recent departure of several aldermen for various reasons. She partly blamed the pandemic, saying COVID-19 made a lot of people reevaluate their lives.