THE CHICAGO WAY

The Chicago Way: Emanuel Appoints Daughter Of Outgoing Alderman To City Council

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME:

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has appointed Deb Mell, the daughter of retiring Alderman Richard Mell, to replace him as representative of the city’s 33rd Ward.

Mell, 75, “also known as Rod Blagojevich’s father-in-law,” represented Chicago’s Northwest Side for nearly 40 years. His daughter Deb Mell has been serving as a state representative for Illinois’ 40th district. Although Emanuel promised to consider “all qualified candidates,” Emanuel in the end opted to perpetuate Chicago’s machine politics.

Retiring from public office in order to allow political appointments is part of the “Chicago Way.” Mayor Emanuel pledged that he would “entertain all qualified candidates for the seat,” reports NBCChicago. “…In the end, Chicago’s mayor chose nepotism.”

Mell becomes the council’s first openly gay woman, NBCChicago reports.