CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Mayor Emanuel begins his selection process to find Ald. Sandi Jackson's replacement this week. There are no known front-runners to speak of. But political experts said the mayor will likely appoint an "outsider."
SEE: Ald. Sandi Jackson has resigned from City Council
Jackson's resignation takes effect on Tuesday. The big question is, who will Mayor Rahm Emanuel pick to be her successor?
"Whoever he picks will not need a security guard walking down
Michigan Ave," Roosevelt University politics professor Paul Green said.
Prof. Green means someone who's not currently a household
name - but is known within the 7th ward, well-liked and free of
controversy.
"Bottom line is that church leaders or community leaders - those are the safe
picks," Green said.
But most importantly, Green said Emanuel's choice will likely not
have a tainted past.
"The only issue that could [cause] trouble," Green said "[Is] if he picks somebody who was
tainted through politics or something illegal
."
Besides the Jacksons, the 7th ward's other politically-connected family has
been the Beavers. William Beavers served six terms as alderman until Sandi Jackson took
his place in 2007.
Mrs. Jackson defeated Beavers' daughter after Darcel Beavers had been appointed by Mayor Daley as a fill-in.
Beavers still has a Twitter account with the handle @Dbeavers7thward - but she hasn't sent a tweet from it in two years.
In February, Darcel's father William was indicted on federal tax charges. Green said Darcel Beavers will not be picked.
"I would think [it] not in the mayors interest to create something like that," Green said. "Her father's on trial, going backwards. Not that mayor needs advice… He won't pick Darcel Beavers."
Sandi Jackson sent a resignation letter to the mayor Friday saying she needed to deal with "very painful family health matters."
Her husband, Jesse Jackson Jr., is under federal investigation for possible misuse of campaign funds.
Mayor Emanuel has 60 days from Tuesday to pick Jackson's replacement. However, Green expects the mayor to act quickly.
