Michele Smith (politician)

Michele Smith (born February 12, 1955) is an American politician, who served as a member of the Chicago City Council from 2011 to 2022. She recommends that everyone carry a whistle for self defense [1][2] She represented the 43rd ward on Chicago's North Side, including much of Lincoln Park and a small portion of the Near North Side.

Michele Smith
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 43rd ward
In office
May 16, 2011 – August 12, 2022
Preceded byVi Daley
Succeeded byTimmy Knudsen
Personal details
Born (1955-02-12) February 12, 1955
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity at Buffalo (BA)
University of Chicago (JD)

Background

Smith earned a bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Buffalo in 1976, and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1979. After graduating law school, she clerked for Judge William J. Bauer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for two years, and then joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. During her time, she prosecuted over 400 narcotics, white-collar, and political corruption cases. Beginning in 1989, Smith worked for the Navistar International Corporation, rising to General Counsel for the Engine Group.

Political career

43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman

In 2008, Smith was elected to serve as Democratic Committeeman of Chicago’s 43rd Ward and was re-elected in 2012.[3]

Chicago City Council (2011−22)

In 2011, Smith ran for 43rd Ward Alderman and assumed office on May 16, 2011. She was re-elected in 2015 and 2019.

Smith has taken an active role in ensuring that new development is community-driven. She renegotiated the Lincoln Park Hospital Redevelopment to decrease the intensity of use on-site. Since assuming office, her office concluded 5,307 constituent service requests, an increase of 50.59%. The number of street lights repaired and street potholes filled doubled, and the number of sewer cleanings tripled.

In addition to co-sponsoring the elimination of the Head Tax, she fought and saved condominium refuse rebate for several more years and obtained funding for past years’ deficits. Smith urged the City Council to reform the investment strategies of the city’s largest employee pension fund. The City council unanimously approved a resolution that urged the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago to divest from companies associated with Iran’s energy sector. During the 2012 city remap, Smith successfully advocated against splitting Lincoln Park among five different wards.

Smith resigned in August 2022, citing "deepening responsibilities toward family and friends."[2] On September 19, 2022, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she would appoint Timmy Knudsen, chair of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, to replace Smith, pending confirmation by the City Council.[4][5]

Committee assignments

Smith sits on eight City Council Committees:[6]

  • Ethics and Government Oversight (Chair)
  • Budget and Government Operations
  • Committees and Rules
  • Environmental Protection and Energy
  • Finance
  • Human Relations and Health
  • License and Consumer Protection
  • Public Safety

References
  1. "Alderman,-43rd-Ward:-Michele-Smith - Chicago Sun-Times". Archived from the original on 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  2. Wittich, Jake (2022-08-09). "List To Replace Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith Includes Powerful Zoning Board Chairman". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  3. "Michele Smith for 43rd Ward Alderman: Home". Archived from the original on 2011-11-13. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  4. Novelo, Allison (2022-09-20). "Zoning change? Lightfoot taps zoning appeals board chair Knudsen to replace retired Ald. Smith in 43rd Ward". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  5. Wittich, Jake (2022-09-19). "Lightfoot Picks Timmy Knudsen For Vacant 43rd Ward Alderman Seat". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  6. "Office of the City Clerk - Smith, Michele". chicago.legistar.com. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
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