Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her selection to replace disgraced former Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson on the Chicago City Council.
She’s Nicole Lee who now works for United Airlines as director of social impact and community engagement , NBC5 reported.
If confirmed, Lee would become the first Asian American woman to sit on the council.
A jury found Thompson guilty last month of 7 counts including lying to regulators and filing false tax returns.
“Nicole Lee has spent her life expanding and amplifying 11th ward issues and voices,” Lightfoot wrote in a statement, according to Block Chicago. “Her dedication to empowering communities and building coalitions is evident in her career and in her involvement in a variety of community organizations. She is the right choice to make sure 11th ward residents are fully represented on the Chicago City Council.”
Lee grew up in Chinatown where she currently lives.
“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and move the 11th Ward in a new direction,” she said to ABC7. She described her nomination as both “exhilarating and scary.”
“It was holy cow. This is really happening.”
The Chicago Sun Times called her selection historic.
Advancing Justice Chicago said it looked forward to working with her on issues important to the community.
Rep Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago) said her selection is a “meaningful step in ensuring our city council reflects the fulll diversity and contributions of our community.”
Most expect Lee’s nomination to sail through the city council during a special meeting on Monday.
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