State Rep. Silvana Tabares (D-21st District) will be leaving the state legislature soon to become the new alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward.
On June 16, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he had chosen Tabares to succeed Ald. Michael Zalewski, who is resigning after 23 years on the Chicago City Council. He is the father of Riverside state Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-23rd)
Tabares’ appointment is expected to be ratified by the city council on June 27, after which Tabares will resign as state representative.
Tabares has served in the state legislature since 2013. She defeated Rudy Lozano Jr. in a close and tough primary race in 2012 in a newly drawn district and has run unopposed since then.
The 21st Statehouse District runs from the southwest side of Chicago to Summit and includes the portion of Riverside that is south of the railroad tracks.
After Tabares resigns from the state legislature, the Democratic ward and township committeemen of the 21st District will meet to select a replacement on the November general election ballot and to serve out the last six months of her term.
That process should take about a month, said state Sen. Steve Landek, who is also the Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman.
“We’re going to accept resumes, have interviews, and then select somebody,” Landek said.
Tabares was quoted in a press release issued by Emanuel that she is proud of her record in the General Assembly.
“I have sought to protect working families and the neighborhoods they call home,” said Tabares. “It is an honor to continue this work as the 23rd Ward alderman, a role in which I will continue to fight for strong schools, safe streets and good jobs.”
Prior to being elected to the General Assembly, Tabares was the managing editor of the bilingual newspaper, Extra.
