Timmy Knudsen

Timmy Knudsen (born 1990/1991)[1] is an American politician, currently serving in the Chicago City Council as alderman for the 43rd ward. He was appointed to the position by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and confirmed by the City Council in September 2022, following the retirement of Michele Smith.[2] The 43rd ward is on Chicago's North Side, including much of Lincoln Park and a small portion of the Near North Side.

Timmy Knudsen
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 43rd ward
Assumed office
September 21, 2022
Preceded byMichele Smith
Personal details
Born1990 or 1991 (age 32–33)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA, JD)

Early life and education

Knudsen graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2012 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2015.[3]

Knudsen worked as an attorney for the firm Katten Muchin Rosenman, and later was a partner at the firm Croke, Fairchild, Morgan & Beres, where he worked on venture capital and cryptocurrency issues.[4][3][5]

In 2019, Knudsen was part of the campaign finance team for Lori Lightfoot in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, which she ultimately won.[4] In September 2019, Knudsen was appointed as an alternate member of the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals. In September 2020, Lightfoot nominated him as chair of the Board.[6] He was confirmed by the Chicago City Council to the position the next month.[7][8]

Chicago City Council

Incumbent 43rd ward alderman Michele Smith announced her retirement in August 2022.[9] Knudsen launched a campaign for 43rd ward alderman in the 2023 elections and applied to fill the remainder of Smith's term.[6][10] On September 19, 2022, Lightfoot nominated him to fill the vacancy.[11][4] The City Council confirmed his appointment on September 21, 2022.[2]

Upon his appointment, Knudsen stated that public safety, public schools, and "giving back to the community" were his top priorities. He announced that one of his first initiatives would be to install new security cameras throughout the ward.[12]

In 2023, he ran for election in the 43rd Ward, receiving a plurality of 26.8% in the municipal general election.[13] He then ran in the runoff against Sheffield Neighbors Association president Brian Comer and defeated him with 52.9% of the vote[14]

Personal life

Knudsen lives in Lincoln Park, and his home renovation was featured on an episode of House Hunters.[15] He is openly gay.[4]

References
  1. Armentrout, Mitchell (May 15, 2023). "Find Your Alderperson". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. Wittich, Jake (2022-09-21). "Timmy Knudsen Appointed 43rd Ward Alderman, Filling Vacancy Left By Michele Smith's Retirement". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  3. "43rd Ward Alderman Selection Process: Redacted Resumes" (PDF). Chicago.gov. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  4. Wittich, Jake (2022-09-19). "Lightfoot Picks Timmy Knudsen For Vacant 43rd Ward Alderman Seat". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  5. Pratt, Gregory; Quig, A.D. (2022-09-19). "Chicago zoning board chair Timmy Knudsen named to City Council to replace former Ald. Michele Smith". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  6. Cherone, Heather (2020-09-19). "Lightfoot Picks Her Zoning Board Chair to Fill Vacant 43rd Ward Chicago City Council Seat". WTTW News. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  7. "Timothy "Timmy" Knudsen Named Chairman of Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals". Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  8. "Attorney Knudsen speaks about Zoning Board appointment - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  9. Wittich, Jake (2022-08-09). "List To Replace Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith Includes Powerful Zoning Board Chairman". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  10. "Timmy Knudsen". Timmy Knudsen for 43rd Ward Alderman. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  11. Novelo, Allison (2022-09-20). "Zoning change? Lightfoot taps zoning appeals board chair Knudsen to replace retired Ald. Smith in 43rd Ward". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  12. Wittich, Jake (2022-09-22). "Freshly Appointed Ald. Timmy Knudsen To Install Security Cameras Across Ward As One Of His First Moves". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  13. Chicago Board of Election Commisioners https://chicagoelections.gov/en/election-results-specifics.asp. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. "Election Results - 2023 Municipal Runoffs - 4/4/23". Chicago Board of Election Commisioners.
  15. Swartz, Tracy (Mar 12, 2020). "Do you want to see your attorney on reality TV? Some Chicago lawyers don't mind being judged". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
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