Maldonado has the option to serve until May or step down early, allowing Mayor Lori Lightfoot to nominate his successor, though she doesn’t have until Feb. 12 to do so. 28 Municipal elections.
Maldonado did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Maldonado played down speculation he might resign after selling his Humboldt Park home early last year, saying he was committed to seeking re-election. A former Cook County commissioner, Maldonado was first appointed to his seat in 2009 by former Mayor Richard Daly.
Candidates for the 26th Ward include longtime radio disc jockey Julian “Jumpin'” Perez, Jessica Fuentes, Kirk Ortiz, Anthony Rivera and Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez.