Alderman Jim Balcer denied allegations that he is being forced into retirement to make room for former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew to be elected 11th Ward alderman.
The Chicago Sun-Times on Monday reported Balcer “has been told his retirement would be welcome” so that Patrick Thompson, who currently serves as a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner, could take over in the 11th Ward.
But Balcer denied that his decision to retire next spring was made by anyone but himself. “I want to make one thing clear: I was not forced out under any circumstances,” he said. “I could have run for re-election. I chose not to. My daughter is getting married next June. I wanted to be with my wife and kids more. I have vertigo, which is very tough on me, and PTSD. This was a very hard decision for me to make, but my family and my health came first."
-Tom Butala