Chicago Mayor Richard Daley on Monday appointed state Rep. Deborah Graham as alderman for the 29th Ward.
Graham, an Austin native and resident, did not return a call by press time. Her appointment will have to be approved by the full city council. Daley made one other aldermanic appointment on Monday. Graham, 43, said she will resign from the state legislature to serve as alderman. She was first elected in 2002 as representative of the 78th District.
Graham confirmed to Austin Weekly News on March 10 that she was interested in the aldermanic position, having submitted a letter to the Democratic Ward Committee to be considered for the appointment. Graham stressed that the appointment was out of her control. She was among more than a dozen West Side hopefuls who applied, or expressed interest in, the position. That post has been vacant since Feb. 1 when former Ald. Isaac Carothers resigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges.
In a somewhat unusual move for Chicago, along with recommendations to Mayor Daley, the city also accepted applications for both the 29th and 1st wards. The 1st Ward position was also vacant until Monday.
