John Rice (alderman)

John Rice was alderman of the City of Chicago representing the 36th ward on the City's far northwest side from 2009 to 2011.

Contents

Early career

Rice worked as general manager of Red Top Parking for more than 20 years and owned Red Top Valet Service for 12 years.[1]

Political career

Rice is a member of the 36th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, one of Alderman William Banks' (36th) political action committees.[1]

Career in Government

Rice worked for the Cook County Highway Department from 1991 to 1997.[1] Rice has worked for the City of Chicago since October 1, 1997.[2] Rice worked as a city zoning inspector from 1997 to 2005.[1] Rice was a long-time employee of the Chicago City Council with a title of "Assistant to the Alderman,"[2] working as a driver to Banks.[1][3]

Appointment to City Council

In late April, 2009, Banks announced his intention to retire from City Council. Banks asked Mayor Richard M. Daley to appoint Rice as his replacement.[4]

Fraternal Order of Police medallion on car

While Rice was under consideration by Daley for appointment as alderman, Rice displayed a Fraternal Order of Police medallion and an FOP membership sticker on his car, a 2009 Lincoln MKS, even though he is not a police officer. State law restricts the use of insignia such as the FOP medallion to members of the group, which is limited to full-time, sworn officers.[5]

Rice organizes retirement party for Banks

Also while Rice was under consideration by Daley for appointment as alderman, Rice organized a $200-a-ticket retirement party for Banks at a Rosemont restaurant. Rice sent out invitations instructing those purchasing tickets to "make checks payable to William J. P. Banks (Memo -- Retirement Party)" and mail the checks to Rice's house.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Days after a report in the Chicago Tribune, the party was cancelled.[12][13][14]

Appointment, confirmation, and swearing-in

Daley announced the appointment of Rice, then 41, as the new 36th Ward alderman on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.[1][15][16] The City Council unanimously approved the appointment the next day, Wednesday, October 7, 2009,[17] and Daley swore in Rice.[18] Rice took the oath of office but was forced to do it twice, after raising his left hand the first time rather than his right for the swearing-in.[19]

The appointment of Rice drew criticism from some in the local media.[20][21]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-10-06). "Daley names Banks aide new alderman". Chicago Tribune. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/daley-praises-retiring-banks-mum-on-successor.html. Retrieved 2009-10-07. 
  2. ^ a b "Public Payroll Database". Better Government Association. http://bettergov.org/Research/Employees.aspx. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  3. ^ Stewart, Russ (2009-05-27). ""CINDERELLA STORY" IN 36TH WARD: FROM DRIVER TO ALDERMAN". Chicago's Northwest Side Press (Nadig Newspapers). http://www.russstewart.com/5-27-09.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  4. ^ "Daley praises retiring Banks, mum on successor". Chicago Tribune. 2009-05-02. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/daley-praises-retiring-banks-mum-on-successor.html. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  5. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan; Gibson, Ray. "Would-be Banks heir erred with police signs on car---he's not an officer". Chicago Tribune. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/wouldbe-banks-heir-erred-with-police-signs-on-carhes-not-an-officer.html. Retrieved 2009-05-08. 
  6. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-10). "Driver sets $200 price on alderman's farewell, Likely successor says checks made out to Banks will 'buy him gift'". Chicago Tribune. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12A001025FFF92F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420. Retrieved 2009-10-07. 
  7. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-10). "Make the check out to the alderman (for a retirement present); Retirement party organizer asking attendees for $200 checks made out to Ald. William J.P. Banks". Chicago Tribune. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/aug/10/local/chi-alderman-banks-retirement-paaug10. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  8. ^ Gilmer, Marcus (2009-08-10). "Hot Ticket: Ald. Banks' Retirement Party". Chicagoist. http://chicagoist.com/2009/08/10/hot_ticket_ald_banks_retirement_par.php. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  9. ^ "Alderman To Get Lots Of Checks For Retirement; Driver, Would-Be Successor To Throw Party, Ask For Personal Donations For The Retiring William J.P. Banks". CBS 2 Chicago News. 2009-08-10. 
  10. ^ Rhodes, Steve (2009-08-12). "Driving Bill Banks; In Chicago, a resume builder". NBC Chicago News. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Driving-Bill-Banks-52955062.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  11. ^ "Alderman's Retirement Party Turned Into Personal Fundraiser". The Huffington Post. 2009-08-10. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/10/aldermans-retirement-part_n_255526.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  12. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-12). "Alderman's $200-a-ticket retirement party canceled". Chicago Tribune. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/08/aldermans-200aticket-fundraiser-cancelled.html. Retrieved 2009-10-07. 
  13. ^ Gilmer, Marcus (2009-08-12). "Party Poopers: Ald. Banks' "Retirement" Party Canceled". Chicagoist. http://chicagoist.com/2009/08/12/party_poopers_ald_banks_retirement.php. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  14. ^ "Alderman's Retirement Party Cum Personal Fundraiser Canceled". The Huffington Post. 2009-08-12. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/12/aldermans-retirement-part_n_257692.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  15. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-08-07). "Retired Chicago alderman’s seat going to his aide; Mayor Daley names John Rice to succeed William J.P. Banks". Chicago Tribune. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/oct/07/news/chi-new-alderman-07oct07. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  16. ^ Lutz, BJ (2009-10-06). "Daley Names Banks' Successor for 36th Ward; John Rice was William Banks' former aide". NBC Chicago News. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/chicago-mayor-daley-appointment-john-rice-william-banks-63631517.html. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  17. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-10-07). "Chicago City Council approves Banks' choice for 36th Ward alderman". Chicago Tribune. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/10/chicago-city-council-approves-banks-choice-for-36th-ward-alderman.html. Retrieved 2009-10-07. 
  18. ^ "Chicago City Council approves abortion clinic protection". Chicago Tribune. 2009-10-07. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/10/chicago-city-council-considers-abortion-protest-bubble-zone-noisy-dog-tickets.html. Retrieved 2009-10-07. 
  19. ^ Spielman, Fran (2009-10-07). "New alderman sworn in — twice: Rice raises his left hand, rather than right, so he had to repeat oath". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1811408,chicago-alderman-sworn-in-twice-100709.article. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  20. ^ "Rhodes: New Alderman Sneaked Onto Council". NBC 5 News. 2009-10-09. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/New-Alderman-John-Rice-Sneaked-Onto-Council-63749242.html. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
  21. ^ "Who Wants to Be an Alderman?". The Chicago Reader. 2010-03-18. http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/mayor-daley-city-council-aldermanic-vacancies-transparency/Content?oid=1541584. Retrieved 2010-03-18. 

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