Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) attends a mayoral press conference after a City Council meeting on Jan. 15, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) next month will step down after nearly a decade on the City Council to become the next superintendent of the Chicago Park District, giving Mayor Brandon Johnson his first opportunity to appoint an alderperson to a vacant seat.

Ramirez-Rosa, a stalwart mayoral ally, has represented the 35th Ward on the council since 2015 and has been a reliable vote for the mayor’s agenda at a time when Johnson has recently had to get key items through the council on thin margins. His ward includes parts of Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale and Irving Park.

The outgoing 35th Ward alderperson served as Johnson’s floor leader and chair of zoning before he was forced to resign those positions after accusations of bullying and threatening colleagues during contentious council proceedings over Chicago’s Welcoming City status in late 2023. 

Related: Ramirez-Rosa resigns leadership positions, alderpeople say he threatened them with blocking zoning decisions

In a statement released Friday morning, the mayor praised Ramirez-Rosa’s ability to organize, his dedication to public service and his track record of securing investments for his constituents. 

“My administration is committed to investing in our city’s residents and communities,” the mayor said in a statement. “Making our Park District more equitable and accessible, particularly in disinvested communities, is critical to improving the quality of life for all Chicagoans. Carlos is an effective leader and will be a strong Superintendent of the Chicago Park District.”

The mayor’s announcement came just days after Chicago Park District Supt. Rosa Escareño announced her resignation and came amid a flurry of high-profile departures of top city leadership. 

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners accepted Escareño’s resignation, which will become effective March 31, and held an emergency meeting Friday to approve the appointment of Ramirez-Rosa, who will take office April 1. 

A few weeks ago, Johnson intimated significant turnover was coming during a conversation at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church where he said, “If you ain’t with us, you just gotta go.” 

In the following days, announced departures included Aviation Comm. Jamie Rhee, Office of Emergency Management and Communications Executive Director Jose Tirado, Chief Strategy Officer Joe Calvello and Civilian Office of Police Accountability Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten. 

In a news release from the mayor’s office, Ramirez-Rosa thanked Johnson for the appointment, thanked Escareño for her service and thanked constituents for electing him three times. 

“It has been the honor of my life to serve you all,” Ramirez-Rosa said. “I look forward to carrying on that spirit of service to this new role to ensure that all Chicagoans can enjoy our parks.” 

Ramirez-Rosa’s contract will be negotiated by Park District Board President Marlon Everett and considered for approval by the board at a meeting March 12.

After Ramirez-Rosa exits his post, Johnson will have a 60-day window to name a replacement to represent the 35th Ward, who will need to be approved by the City Council.

According to the mayor's office, he will “outline a community-led process to identify and appoint a qualified candidate to serve as the next Alderman of Chicago’s 35th Ward, centering the community's voice in his decision.”