Feb. 05--In the only City Council race that pits two sitting aldermen against one another, one candidate has been sidelined by an undisclosed health issue.
Ald. JoAnn Thompson, 16th, is in the hospital after what her campaign would describe only as "a scheduled medical procedure." Campaign manager Ray Harris said Thompson and her family have requested that no further information be disclosed.
Harris said he doesn't dispute that a candidate's health is a valid campaign issue. Harris said "without question" Thompson will be able to return to work, and in a statement, the campaign said "her prognosis is good," though it's difficult to assess that given the lack of details from the campaign.
Thompson, who is backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is being challenged by Ald. Toni Foulkes, 15th, one of the mayor's City Council critics. After Foulkes' predominantly African-American ward was redrawn three years ago with a Latino majority, Foulkes chose to run in the adjacent 16th Ward.
Chicago Forward, a super political action committee set up to back the mayor and his council allies, has spent money on behalf of Thompson, who is a loyal supporter of the mayor. Emanuel's campaign cut a TV campaign commercial featuring Thompson about bringing a Whole Foods store to Englewood.
A request for comment from Foulkes brought a response from Joanna Klonsky, a political consultant working on behalf of several members of the council's Progressive Caucus.
"Ald. Foulkes is keeping Ald. Thompson and her family in her prayers," Klonsky said. "She wishes her good health."
hdardick@tribpub.com
Twitter @ReporterHal
