Fourth female alderman to retire from City Council
Posted on August 20th, 2010Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th) said Wednesday she would not seek re-election, becoming the fourth of the City Council’s 17 women to retire from politics in a difficult year for incumbents.
Rugai insisted that her decision to retire had nothing to do with the anti-incumbent tidal wave sweeping the nation or the local political backlash that followed the 75-year, $1.15 billion lease that privatized Chicago parking meters.
She expressed confidence that she would have won a sixth term, but simply decided that it was time to move on.
“I’ve served the community now for almost 36 years — 20 of those as alderman. I’ve always known when it’s time to make a change,’’ said Rugai, a breast cancer survivor.
“I feel good about it. I’m not sick. I’m not too old. I still have a lot of energy. I’m not afraid of a campaign,’’ the 64-year-old Rugai said. Beverly and Morgan Park residents “know I’m a fighter and they know I’m a survivor. There’s no smoke and mirrors in regard to this. It’s just trusting my instincts that it’s time for me to move on and look to a new challenge. And it’s good for the ward to have a new life as well.’’
Rugai is a political protégé of former State Sen. Jeremiah Joyce, one of Mayor Daley’s closest friends in politics. She was a legislative aide to Joyce.
A former assistant director of the Beverly Area Planning Association, she was appointed by the mayor in 1990 after then-Ald. Michael Sheahan (19th) was elected Cook County sheriff.
She went on to win five terms before telling members of the 19th Ward Democratic Organization this week that she would support Committeeman Matt O’Shea as her replacement.
O’Shea said his priority is to deliver city services at a time of severe budget cutbacks that are almost certain to get worse as the city copes with a record $654.7 million shortfall.
“We’re in tough times with a shortage of manpower. Everything is taking longer — from recycling to street light repairs and tree trims,’’ said O’Shea, 41.
“We’re still feeling the effect of the summer storms that left hundreds of flooded basements. We just have to work that much harder to stay on top of things, work with the 311 system and explain to residents that it’s gonna take longer to get things done, but we’re working on them.’’
Rugai is the fourth woman in recent weeks to announce her decision to retire from politics, joining Aldermen Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Mary Ann Smith (48th). Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) will also be leaving the City Council if she is elected County Board president.
That could put a significant dent in the City Council’s 17-member female bloc. But Rugai, the Council’s third-longest serving woman, said, “There were fewer women when I entered 20 years ago and the ranks have grown. I imagine they will continue to grow. Women are great at details.’’
The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this month that political retirements, promotions and mayoral ambitions could cost the City Council nearly one-third of its 50 members. And that’s not counting incumbent aldermen who could be tossed out by the voters.
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Source: The Chicago Sun-Times