HISTORIC DAY FOR 11TH WARD
Lee takes seat in City Council after unanimous confirmation vote
The 11th Ward, ancestral home and longtime political power base of the Daley family, is now represented by the Chicago City Council’s first-ever Chinese American and first Asian American woman.
Nicole Lee, 47, cemented her place in the city’s political history on Monday after sailing through her confirmation hearing and being sworn into office less than an hour later, her two sons at her side.
“While it’s not lost on me, this particular moment in history, I’ve been nominated … to represent the residents of the 11th Ward and they are not all Asian American,” Lee, 47, told the Rules Committee during her confirmation hearing.
“I’m here to represent the interests of every single person in the 11th Ward, regardless of whether or not they eat rice at night or [for] dinner.”
The confirmation votes in the Rules Committee and the full Council were unanimous. There was no debate, only praise, a few basic questions and words of welcome and offers of help with some sage advice sprinkled in.
“I want to extend my sincerest sympathies,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), only half-joking.
“I always say I’m one signature short of involuntary commitment. It’s insanity. But you were already in an insane position.”
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) asked Lee if she’s “sure that you want to spend your late nights in your office, your weekends at parades and funerals and wakes and in the alley at 2 in the morning.”
Lee responded with humility to what she jokingly called a “bit of a trick question.”
“I probably am just a little bit crazy for wanting to do this. But, I do . ... I could not be more happy and thrilled and excited and a little bit scared. Maybe a lot scared,” she said.
“I’m prepared for whatever’s gonna come. I know that there’s probably gonna be times when I’m gonna stumble. But I have no doubt that, with this body that’s been so generous to me already in terms of offering assistance, that I’m gonna be OK. And when I’m not, I’ll get help.”
During a news conference after Monday’s special meeting, Lee was asked by a reporter for WBEZ-FM about a 2016 bankruptcy case filed on her behalf.
Lee was asked specifically why she did not object when a trustee argued that her case should be dismissed because Lee had “misstated and mis-reported” her finances and expenses.
“I got advice from counsel that it probably wasn’t going to be beneficial to me. And unfortunately, that’s the way it went. My case was dismissed — not discharged. I settled my debts. They’re completely paid,” she said.
“I’m glad that that’s behind me. But I’m glad that there are tools in place for people like me who ran across financial hardship to take responsibility for their debts.”
Lee said she does not believe her bankruptcy case should concern her constituents, even though the Council approves the city budget and oversees city finances.
“If they are [concerned], good for them. They should be. And I should be held accountable for everything that I do in representing the ward. I hope that residents of the 11th Ward give me an opportunity to show them in my actions,” she said.
The Lightfoot administration was apparently so confident in the outcome of Monday’s vote, Lee’s nameplate already was engraved and installed in the 11th Ward seat in the City Council chambers before Monday’s votes.
Lee replaces Patrick Daley Thompson, who resigned in February. Thompson, nephew of Chicago’s longest-serving mayor and grandson of the second in mayoral seniority, was forced to resign after being convicted by a federal court jury of lying to regulators and filing false income tax returns.
Lee is a United Airlines executive whose father was a longtime deputy chief of staff under former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
In 2014, Gene Lee pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud after admitting to stealing thousands of dollars from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned from that experience was the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions,” Nicole Lee said.
She described her ward as a “gateway for immigrants” and a place where “disparate cultures come to raise their families.”
But Lee has also talked about the ugly underbelly of the ward she now represents.
“The 11th Ward community has struggled with divisions,” Lee said on the day Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her historic appointment.
“I want my sons and their friends to live in a world that is inclusive. … I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and move the 11th Ward in a new direction.”