Jim Gardiner (Chicago politician)

James M. Gardiner (born April 17, 1976) is an American politician and firefighter who has been the alderman for the 45th ward in the Chicago City Council since 2019. Gardiner is a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department, but has taken a break since becoming alderman.

Gardiner is a member of the Democratic Party, but was an independent before 2019.

In November 2020, Gardiner was sued for abuse of power and false arrest of a ward resident. The lawsuit said that Gardiner used his powers as an alderman to have a construction worker arrested.

Federal officials are investigating if Gardiner has taken bribes during his time as alderman.

In September 2021, private text messages between Gardiner and Alderman Scott Waguespack revealed Gardiner using misogynistic language to describe Waguespack's female chief of staff.

References

Category:1976 births
Category:Living people
Category:Chicago City Council members
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:Independent politicians in the United States