In 1981, Clem moved to California for five years, where he worked as an aide for two members of Congress, before returning to Illinois to take a job as the 10th Ward Superintendent, responsible for garbage pickup and other city services.
In 1981, Clem moved to California for five years, where he worked as an aide for Congressman Matthew Martínez and later Congressman Esteban Torres. He returned to Illinois to take a job as the 10th Ward Superintendent, responsible for garbage pickup and other city services.