Latasha Thomas
Encyclopedia
Latasha Thomas is the alderman
of the 17th ward of the City of Chicago
. She was appointed to that position by Mayor Richard M. Daley
in 2000, subsequently elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
and her law degree
from DePaul University
. Thomas has been a lawyer in private practice since 1994. Thomas was Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Chicago Department of Human Services and chief of staff for Terry Peterson, 17th ward Alderman and former campaign manager for Chicago
Mayor Richard M. Daley
.
of Chicago
appointed Thomas alderman in 2000 to replace Peterson, who became chief executive of the Chicago Housing Authority
. Thomas was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2003 and 2007. Thomas has worked to get many of the 17th ward schools renovated. Thomas serves on five committees: Buildings; Committee, Rules and Ethics; Parks and Recreation; Special Events and Cultural Affairs; and Zoning and she is the Chairman of the Education committee.
Latasha and Timothy have two children, Victoria and Timothy III.
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the 17th ward of the City of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. She was appointed to that position by Mayor Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
in 2000, subsequently elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
Early life, education, and career
Latasha R. Thomas was born in 1965, the eldest of the five children. Thomas earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
and her law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
. Thomas has been a lawyer in private practice since 1994. Thomas was Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Chicago Department of Human Services and chief of staff for Terry Peterson, 17th ward Alderman and former campaign manager for Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
Mayor Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
.
Aldermanic career
Mayor Richard M. DaleyRichard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
appointed Thomas alderman in 2000 to replace Peterson, who became chief executive of the Chicago Housing Authority
Chicago Housing Authority
The Chicago Housing Authority is a municipal corporation established by the State of Illinois in 1937 with jurisdiction for the administrative oversight of public housing within the City of Chicago...
. Thomas was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2003 and 2007. Thomas has worked to get many of the 17th ward schools renovated. Thomas serves on five committees: Buildings; Committee, Rules and Ethics; Parks and Recreation; Special Events and Cultural Affairs; and Zoning and she is the Chairman of the Education committee.
Personal life
Thomas is married to Timothy Thomas Jr. Timothy Thomas was First Deputy Commissioner in the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the number two post in that office, until he resigned on December 3, 2009, just weeks after city officials did not act on a city inspector general’s demand that Mr. Thomas be disciplined for a patronage violation.Latasha and Timothy have two children, Victoria and Timothy III.