Longtime resident nominated as next 8th Ward alderman in Des Plaines
A longtime Des Plaines resident has been nominated to be the next alderman for the 8th Ward.
Shamoon Ebrahimi, a counselor at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, was tapped for the post by Mayor Andrew Goczkowski.
It's now up to the city council to approve or reject the nomination. That could happen at the July 6 council meeting.
Goczkowski was the 8th Ward alderman until he was sworn in as mayor last month. His resignation from the council left two years on the term, and that's how long Ebrahimi will serve if the council approves his nomination.
Goczkowski revealed Ebrahimi as his pick during Monday's city council meeting. Ebrahimi then approached the lectern and introduced himself to the council and public.
A Des Plaines resident for nearly 20 years, Ebrahimi described himself as "a modern-day, American success story." He spoke of his Assyrian heritage and escaping war in the Middle East as a boy when his family immigrated to the U.S.
"I'm not even supposed to be here," Ebrahimi said. "But long story short, I am."
Ebrahimi also talked of his family and his desire to make the world a better place, and he pledged to be the voice of the people as alderman.
The 8th Ward covers parts of the west and southwest sides of Des Plaines.
By state law, Goczkowski had to nominate an appointee within 60 days of the post's opening. The city council now has 30 days to approve or reject the nominee.
If appointed, Ebrahimi would be able to run for a full, 4-year term in the 2023 consolidated local election.
Aldermen receive annual salaries of $3,000, $150 per month for expenses, medical insurance and other perks.