Ricardo Muñoz

Federal authorities allege Muñoz, 56, misappropriated tens of thousands dollars from the Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus political action committee for his personal expenses.

The alderman, who has been charged with domestic battery and recently did a stint in rehab, spent some of the cash at restaurants, on flights and at hotels.

Ahead of the vote, residents expressed concerns about the increase of pollution the massive distribution facility would bring.

While a judge has cleared him to return to the home he shares with his wife, Muñoz says he will be staying in Elgin for now, where he is receiving outpatient rehab treatment for alcoholism.

This will be the first time the 22nd Ward will have a new alderman in more than 25 years.

Since he was charged with domestic violence, Ald. Ricardo Muñoz has not been back to City Hall. Ald. Danny Solis has been missing since news broke that he wore a wire.

Victor Reyes, former head of the powerful Hispanic Democratic Organization, complained Solis wasn't sending him business like Joe Moreno, George Cardenas, Ricardo Munoz and Roberto Maldonado.

His wife told reporters the abuse was not new. “This has been going on a long time,” she said.

Little Village opponents loudly protested during a key vote on the $100 million project before being removed from the chamber by security guards.

“Bottom line, this is the most open seat we’ve had in my lifetime. I’d be remiss if I didn’t think about it seriously,” the veteran alderman said.

Ald. Munoz also suggested to NBC Chicago that he could run for mayor in 2023.