CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Monday that a five-person committee will screen more than 50 applicants vying to replace Sandi Jackson as 7th ward alderman.
The city received 65 applications for the seat, but only 53 were verified to live in the ward, said Tom Alexander, a spokesman for the mayor's office.
The deadline to submit applications was extended until 5 p.m. Monday due to some technical issues with the city's website on Friday, Alexander said.
The committee will be "narrowing the eligible applicants to a small group — three or more — that [Emanuel] can interview himself before making a selection," according to a statement released by the mayor's office.
Committee members were chosen based on their strong ties to the 7th ward as well as "perspective on what a successful candidate will look like," Alexander said.
The members of the committee include: Ald. Michelle Harris (8th); Felicia Davis, director of the Mayor's Office of Public Engagement; Rev. Marrion Johnson Sr., pastor of Come Alive Ministry of Faith; Susan Motley, a community activist; and Echelle M. Mohn.
Emanuel was scheduled to meet with the committee members Monday morning. In a statement, the mayor expressed confidence in the ability of the committee members to slim down the wide pool of applicants.
"This method for selection will ensure that the best possible candidate is selected for the residents of the 7th ward,” Emanuel said in the statement.
Alexander said the mayor's office hopes to have the seat filled by next month's City Council meeting.
Sandi Jackson announced her resignation January 11th. In a letter to Emanuel, the South Shore alderman said she was resigning to spend more time with her family, including her husband, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who quit shortly after winning re-election in November in the face of health problems and a federal probe into his campaign finances.
