Tom Tunney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Tunney
Tunney at the Chicago Pride Parade in June 2013
8th Vice Mayor of Chicago
In office May 20, 2019 – May 15, 2023
Mayor	Lori Lightfoot
Preceded by	Brendan Reilly
Succeeded by	Walter Burnett Jr.
Member of the Chicago City Council from the 44th ward
In office January 16, 2003 – May 15, 2023
Preceded by	Bernie Hansen
Succeeded by	Bennett Lawson
Personal details
Born	(1955-08-22) August 22, 1955 (age 69) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Relatives	Robin Tunney (cousin)
Education	University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA) Cornell University (MA)

Thomas M. Tunney (born August 22, 1955) is an American politician and entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs a business. From 2003 to 2023, he served as an alderman on the Chicago City Council. An alderman is a local elected official who helps govern a city. He represented the 44th Ward of Chicago. This area includes popular places like Northalsted and Wrigleyville. He was also the vice mayor of Chicago from 2019 to 2023.

Learning and Growing: Tom Tunney's Education

Tom Tunney was born and grew up in Chicago. He went to Brother Rice, a local Catholic school. After high school, he studied at the University of Illinois. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant management. Later, he earned a master's degree in hotel administration from Cornell University.

Starting Businesses: Tom Tunney as an Entrepreneur

After college, Tunney moved to the Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago. In 1981, he heard that a popular local restaurant, Ann Sather, was closing. Tunney met with the owner, Ann Sather, and offered to buy her business. He became the full owner of the Ann Sather Restaurant. He then helped it grow into a successful chain of restaurants.

Tunney became a leader in the business community. He was the chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Association. He also started and led the Lakeview Center Business Association and the White Crane Wellness Center. Because of his success, Tunney was recognized in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1995.

Helping the Community: Tom Tunney's Public Service

Tom Tunney used his restaurants to help the community. He let local groups and charities use his restaurants as free meeting places. He also worked to help people with serious health challenges. He created programs that were used by the Illinois Masonic Hospital. As his business network grew, Tunney also helped raise money for groups that supported gay and lesbian rights.

Tunney also worked with the city government. He led a small business group for the Chicago Economic Development Committee. The Mayor Richard M. Daley also asked Tunney to join a special team that looked at parking in the city.

Serving the City: Tom Tunney as Alderman

In 2002, the alderman for the 44th Ward, Bernie Hansen, announced he would retire. Mayor Richard M. Daley chose Tunney to take Hansen's place in December 2002. The city council approved Tunney's appointment on January 16, 2003. With strong support, Tunney was elected as alderman on February 25, 2003. He was re-elected four more times, serving until May 2023.

During his time as alderman, Tunney worked on various city issues. He sometimes had disagreements with the Ricketts family, who own the Chicago Cubs. Their stadium, Wrigley Field, is in his ward.

In 2019, Tunney considered running for mayor but decided not to. He supported Lori Lightfoot in the election. After Lightfoot became mayor, she asked Tunney to be the vice mayor. He also became the chairman of the Council's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.

In August 2022, Tunney announced he would not run for alderman again in 2023. He thought about running for mayor in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election but decided not to. He supported Paul Vallas in that election. After leaving the City Council, Tunney said he plans to continue supporting Chicago's businesses.

About Tom Tunney's Life

Tom Tunney is the cousin of actress Robin Tunney. She played Agent Lisbon on the TV show The Mentalist.

Tunney made history as the first openly gay alderman in Chicago.