Chicago City Council approves Anthony Quezada as new 35th Ward alderperson

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago City Council members gathered Monday for a special meeting to vote in a new alderperson to represent the 35th Ward.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson picked 29-year-old Commissioner Anthony Quezada for the position.

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The position was left open after Quezada’s mentor, former 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, left to lead the Chicago Park District.

“Carlos led our ward with a deep commitment to justice for 10 years in this council, and I’m proud to build, pause the foundation for progressive governance in the 35th Ward,” Quezada said.

Quezada began his career as a community organizer in Logan Square. He worked for Ramirez Rosa-before being elected to the Cook County Board in 2022. While he plans to continue his predecessor’s progressive agenda, Quezada said he will conduct himself differently than Ramirez-Rosa.

“Collaboration and communication, listening to each other is extremely important, it’s a core tenet in how I lead,” Quezada said.

Quezada passed the rules committee 35-10. He passed the full council in a 32-11 vote.

Quezada is a supporter of immigrant and worker’s rights. On Monday morning, 22nd Ward Ald. Mike Rodriguez shared his thoughts on Quezada.

“He’s been a fighter for working class people,” Rodriguez said. “I think he wants to make sure that there is affordable housing in the city of Chicago, that that there are high-paying jobs, union jobs, in the city of Chicago. That our education system is public and available to all young people and excellent for all of our families. So, he has my confidence to be an alderman of the 35th Ward.”

However, some alderpersons had issues with a decade-old social media post using a racial slur, which Quezada has apologized for. Others say the fix was in, and his appointment was not handled in a democratic way.

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“Why put out this cattle call for people that really want to serve? We know the process is rigged. Why waste people’s time?” said 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas.

The mayor has insisted that the application process to replace Ramirez-Rosa was done in a fair and open way.

“The community did take the application process seriously, it was one of the most robust processes we’ve seen,” Johnson said.

Quezada was one of six people to apply for the role.

The process included interviewing with a search committee made up of community leaders in the 35th Ward. The committee then made their recommendation to Johnson.

Others had an issue with Quezada inheriting Ramirez-Rosa’s coveted committee assignments on the powerful budget and finance committees before allowing the opportunity to more senior alderpersons. The Johnson administration says it is open to shuffling around committee assignments.

Quezada says he is prepared to serve on the big committees.

“I’m a seasoned legislator, so I’m seasoned to sit on any committee,” Quezada said.

Quezada is from the 35th Ward, which includes parts of Logan Square, Avondale, Hermosa and Irving Park.

Three years ago, Quezada was elected to the Cook County Board as its first openly gay Latino commissioner. As he moves to the city side, Quezada does not have any suggestions on who should replace him on the county board. He promised that it will be democratic process with community engagement.

Quezada will serve as alderperson until 2027, when the next election takes place.