Ocasio Changes Mind, Wants Wife As Replacement

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 17, 2009 9:20PM

Former 26th Ward alderman Billy Ocasio, who left the City Council earlier this year to work for Gov. Quinn, has changed course and now wants his wife to succeed him. After Ocasio resigned, Hector Villagrana was appointed as a temporary replacement and Ocasio himself suggested Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús of the New Life Covenant Church as his permanent replacement. However, in the wake of the endorsement, members of the gay community expressed concern over De Jesús. According to the Trib, Ocasio said that at issue was De Jesús's residence: "The reverend owns property and has a house he built in the ward but he doesn't actually live there, so he can't be appointed." Ocasio's wife, Veronica, currently works for U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. The Trib's Clout Street has more on the story.