Brendan Reilly (politician)

Brendan Reilly (born December 26, 1971[1][2][3]) is an American politician who has served as alderman of Chicago's 42nd ward since 2007, when he unseated septuagenarian incumbent Burton Natarus.[3] He served as Vice Mayor of Chicago, being elected to that position by the Chicago City Council, from 2015 to 2019.[4][5] From May 2019 to May 2023, he served as President pro tempore of the Council, which means that he presided over council proceedings in the mayor's absence.[5]

Brendan Reilly
President pro tempore of the Chicago City Council
In office
May 20, 2019 – May 15, 2023
Preceded byMargaret Laurino
Succeeded bySamantha Nugent
7th Vice Mayor of Chicago
In office
May 20, 2015 – May 20, 2019
MayorRahm Emanuel
Preceded byRay Suarez
Succeeded byTom Tunney
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 42nd ward
Assumed office
May 2007
Preceded byBurton Natarus
Personal details
Born (1971-12-26) December 26, 1971
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKristin Reilly
EducationHobart College (BA)

Early life and education

Brendan Reilly completed his bachelor's degree from Hobart College in 1994.[2]

Professional and public career

In 1995 he joined the staff of the Illinois House of Representatives. He served as Communications Director for the Democratic caucus before leaving in 2001.[2] In 2001, Reilly served as press director of Paul Vallas's campaign in the Democratic primary of the 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election.[6]

Reilly serves as a board member of the Energy Foundry, a non-profit venture capital fund dealing with green technology.[2] He is also a member of the State of Illinois Smart Grid Advisory Council.[2] He is a member of the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.

Aldermanic career

Reilly was elected Chicago alderman for the 42nd ward in 2007, unseating longtime incumbent Burton Natarus.[3][7][8] Reilly has subsequently been reelected in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

He served as Vice Mayor of Chicago, being elected to that position by the Chicago City Council, from 2015 to 2019.[4][5] Since May 2019, he has served as President pro tempore of the Council, which means that he presides over council proceedings in the absence of the mayor.[5]

In the runoff of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, Reilly endorsed Lori Lightfoot.[9]

In November 2019, Reilly was one of fifteen aldermen to oppose a $72 million property tax increase in Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget that included $7 million in funding for City Colleges, $32 million in funding to retire a general obligation bond issue and $18 million in funding for libraries. However, he voted for the budget as a whole.[10]

In the 2020 Cook County State's Attorney election, Reilly endorsed Bill Conway in his primary challenge against Kim Foxx, the Democratic incumbent. After Conway lost 50-31, Reilly endorsed Republican former Cook County Judge Pat O'Brien in the general election instead of backing Foxx. For the snub of his party's candidate, Reilly was sent a letter of reprimand by the Cook County Democratic Party.[11] Ahead of the first round of the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, Reilly endorsed Paul Vallas.[12]

Personal life

Reilly has lived in downtown Chicago with his wife Kristin since 1997.[2]

See also

List of Chicago aldermen since 1923

References
  1. "Meet the new City Council". May 18, 2019.
  2. "About Brendan | Bio". Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  3. Becker, Robert (March 1, 2007). "Natarus waxes proud in loss". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  4. Sullivan, Emmet. "What Would Actually Happen if Rahm Resigns". ChicagoMag.org. Chicago Magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  5. Pratt, John Byrne, Juan Perez Jr , Gregory. "Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot aces first test of her power: City Council overhaul approved". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved May 29, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Kapos, Shia; Ol, Olivia (February 14, 2023). "A mayoral free-for-all". Politico. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  7. Pearson, Rick; Kidwell, David (February 28, 2007). "Veteran Natarus swept out". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  8. Hinz, Greg (August 20, 2018). "Downtown alderman may face re-election foe". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  9. Davis, Kelly; Runge, Erik (March 21, 2019). "Ahead of debate, mayoral candidates pick up endorsements – including Chance the Rapper". WGN-TV. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  10. Spielman, Fran (November 26, 2019). "City Council approves Lightfoot's $11.6 billion budget — with 11 'no' votes". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  11. Hinton, Rachel (April 7, 2021). "County Democrats vote to scold alderman for opposing Foxx, urge Springfield to pass school board bills, opposing Lightfoot". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  12. Mercado, Melody (February 13, 2023). "Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly Endorses Paul Vallas For Mayor". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
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