OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
MAYOR
September 21, 2022
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen O'Shea, Cappleman, Ramirez-Rosa, Rodriguez, Burnett, Villegas, Napolitano, Mitts, Ervin, Brookins, Dowell, Tunney, Hadden. Silverstein, Sadlowski-Garza, King, Vasquez, Reilly, Gardiner. Lee and Martin, a resolution honoring Michele Smith for her services as alderman of the 43rd Ward.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Mayor
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In recognition of her leadership and appreciation of her tireless work improving the lives of the residents of the 43rd Ward and all Chicagoans through zealous advocacy as a member of the City Council, the Members of this Chamber are pleased to congratulate Alderman Michele Smith, on the occasion of her retirement from the Council on August 12, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Upon her graduation from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976, Alderman Smith moved to Chicago to begin law school at the University of Chicago Law School; and
WHEREAS, Upon her graduation from the University of Chicago Law School in 1979, Alderman Smith spent two years clerking for Judge William J. Bauer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Smith began her legal career in Chicago in the United States Attorney's Office, prosecuting over 400 narcotics, white-collar criminal, and political corruption cases; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Smith spent the next 16 years at Navistar International Corporation, becoming General Counsel for a $2.5 Billion subsidiary, the Engine Group; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Smith has lived for over 40 years in the 43rd Ward, raising her daughter there, and being active in the community; and
WHEREAS, Initially elected in 2011 as alderman of the 43rd Ward, Alderman Smith was re-elected by her constituents for additional terms in 2015 and 2019; and
WHEREAS, As alderman, Michele Smith placed a premium on grassroots community engagement and providing direct services to her constituents; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Smith advocated for and succeeded in obtaining infrastructure improvements and increased public safety resources for her community and constituents; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Alderman Smith worked to secure funds to expand and improve the schools and parks in her Ward; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Smith chaired the City Council's Ethics and Governmental Operations Committee where she worked to make the City more equitable and transparent, including spearheading a series of governmental ethics reform ordinances; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-first day of September 2022, do hereby congratulate Alderman Michele Smith on the occasion of her retirement; express to her our heartfelt gratitude for her exemplary service to the residents of our great City; and extend to her our best wishes for continued health, happiness, prosperity, and success; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alderman Michele Smith as a sign of our appreciation and esteem.