Cook County Comm. Anthony Quezada (D-8) is pictured at a press conference in May 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday announced the selection of Cook County Comm. Anthony Quezada (D-8) to fill the vacant 35th Ward seat on the City Council.

The mayor’s selection — his first aldermanic appointment — came days after the conclusion of a selection committee process that culminated in Quezada and Daniel Tobon, CEO of iVIK Holdings Ltd., being vetted for the job. Four other candidates applied but were disqualified for not submitting all required application materials or meeting minimum requirements. 

Related: Quezada, Tobon considered in selection process to appoint next 35th Ward alderperson as four other applicants disqualified  

Quezada, a progressive who won his seat on the county board in 2022, was endorsed by both former 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who now leads the Chicago Park District, and United Neighbors of the 35th Ward, the ward’s independent political organization. 

Related: Mayor to appoint new 35th Ward alderperson after Ramirez-Rosa becomes head of Park District 

Ramirez-Rosa said he would back whoever the community backed and took the independent political organization’s endorsement as a sign of what the ward wanted. 

“The 35th Ward deserves a progressive champion with a proven track record to lead in this moment,” Johnson said in a news release. “Anthony is a lifelong Chicagoan who embodies the values of the 35th Ward, and I have no doubt that he will be a tremendous advocate for his community. I want to thank the 35th Ward Civic Committee for their recommendation and all of the candidates who answered the call by putting their names forward to serve.”  

The City Council will consider Quezada’s nomination at a special meeting April 7. The 35th Ward includes parts of Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale and Irving Park. 

Quezada, a former constituent services director for Ramirez-Rosa, said in the news release he was honored to be selected. 

“Our neighborhoods deserve bold, principled leadership, and I am ready to continue building a ward and city that prioritizes working families, strengthens public services, and empowers our neighbors,” Quezada said. 

During a press conference Tuesday, the mayor explained his desire to seek Quezada’s confirmation at a special meeting rather than at the next scheduled council meeting, which would be April 16 at the earliest. 

“We don't have a lot of time, quite frankly, with all the attacks that are coming from the federal government as we push back and stand up to the Trump administration,” Johnson said. “So, the business of government has to move with some expediency, because the time is now for us to ensure that working people can afford to live in this city, as well as being able to send their child to a fully funded school.”