By: Ashmar Mandou

Embattled Alderman Danny Solis (25th) resigned Tuesday as chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee amid reports he secretly recorded Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Alderman Edward Burke. The affidavit said Solis traded his actions on the City Council for other kinds of favors including receiving sex acts, Viagra, and campaign contributions in exchange for swaying official City Council actions. No charges were ever filed against him.

Solis reportedly cooperated in the federal investigation of fellow colleague Ald. Burke by secretly recording a dozen conversations over two years. Burke faces charges for attempted extortion and has since resigned as Finance Committee Chairman. As of today, Burke denies any wrongdoing. Since Burke’s investigation, several public officials have publicly denounced their ties to the former alderman. As part of the Solis investigation, the feds listened to over 18,000 conversations on one of his cellphones. They also conducted surveillance of private meetings and trips to massage parlors. Solis announced his retirement in November. Alderman James Cappleman (46th), the Zoning Committee’s vice-chair, will preside over the committee until a new City Council is seated.

“Alderman Danny Solis has recognized that he cannot effectively preside over the matters before the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, and he has communicated with my office his intent to resign as Chairman. I commend him for making the right decision for the City Council and the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“Alderman Solis’ resignation from his role as chairman of the Zoning Committee for reasons of corruption has been long overdue. The recent revelations of the alderman’s misuse of the powers of elected office for personal gain only add to the large body of conclusive evidence of Alderman Solis’ engagement in corrupt activities over the course of his 23-year tenure. In light of this, I am calling on Alderman Solis to resign immediately as 25th Ward Alderman and 25th Ward Committeeman. It is clear, as it has been for a while, that the alderman cannot adequately represent the people of the 25th Ward in City Council,” said 25th Ward Alderman Candidate Byron Sigcho-Lopez.

“I am disturbed and disappointed to learn of Ald. Solis’ apparent involvement in this corruption scandal. There is no place in City government for corrupt or otherwise illegal activity. Ald. Solis should make clear to taxpayers and his constituents what he has done that led to his involvement with federal investigators, and he should step down from his role as Zoning Chair immediately,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas

City officials urged Solis to step down as the City prepares to consider $1.6 billion in tax-increment financing subsidies for three mega-projects, including $900 million in TIF money for the massive Lincoln Yards project along the Chicago River.