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CHICAGO — Ald. Danny Solis (25th) resigned Tuesday evening as chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and building standards, less than 12 hours after the the Sun-Times reported he received sex acts at massage parlors, the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra and campaign contributions in exchange for ushering deals through City Council.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement that Solis “made the right decision” by resigning.
“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,” Emanuel said. “I commend him for making the right decision for the City Council and the City of Chicago.”
Solis will be replaced by the committee’s vice chairman, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) under the City Council’s rules of procedures.
Solis is the second close ally of Emanuel’s to be forced from a powerful perch by the spiraling investigation that has upended politics as usual at City Hall. The Sun-Times reported that Solis wore a wire as part of the investigation into Ald. Ed Burke (14th), who was forced to step down as chairman of the Finance Committee after being charged with attempted extortion. Burke maintains his innocence.
Solis has not been charged with wrongdoing.
In November, Solis made a surprising announcement that he would not seek re-election after more than 20 years in office. Five candidates aim to replace him in the 25th Ward.
