which would arise through his business arrangements by selling his interest in four restaurants. After being elected and sworn in, Tunney decided not to sell. Tunney introduced an ordinance repealing Chicago's ban on foie gras in July 2007 and spearheaded passage of the repeal on May 14, 2008. Tunney considered running for mayor in 2011, but ultimately did not. In 2013, Tunney denied unattributed published reports that he supported moving or demolish the iconic scoreboard at Wrigley Field to clear the view for nearby rooftops owners. Tunney has had an often adversarial relationship with the Ricketts family, current owners of the Chicago Cubs, whose stadium, Wrigley Field, is located in his ward. The Ricketts family has accused Tunney of being, "needlessly disrespectful" in negotiations with them about the redevelopment of Wrigley Field. Cubs chairman Thomas S. Ricketts has publicly criticized Tunney. Tunney considered running for mayor in 2019, but ultimately did not. In the runoff of the election, Tunney endorsed Lori Lightfoot. On May 17, three days prior to her inauguration as mayor, Lightfoot tapped Tunney to serve as both vice mayor and chairman of the Council's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. On May 29, 2019, Tunney was formally appointed as chairman of the Council's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. In August 2022, Tunney announced that he would not run for an additional term on the Chicago City Council in 2023. Tunney considered challenging Mayor Lightfoot for mayor in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, going as far as collecting signatures for a ballot petition. However, Tunney decided not to run and ultimately endorsed Paul Vallas ahead of the election's first round. Tunney has indicated that after leaving the City Council he intends to advocate of behalf the city's business community. Personal life Tunney is the cousin of actress Robin Tunney, who played Agent Lisbon on The Mentalist. Tunney was the first openly gay Chicago Alderman. Electoral history See also List of Chicago aldermen since 1923 References External links Citizens for Tunney political action committee website Office of Alderman Tom Tunney Homepage on the City Council website Biography in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame 1955 births 21st-century American politicians American restaurateurs Chicago City Council members Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alumni Gay politicians Illinois Democrats American LGBT city council members LGBT people from Illinois Living people Inductees of the Chicago LGBT Hall of