North Side state rep to resign over health insurance concern

A state representative from Chicago announced Wednesday he will resign before the end of his term in January because he can’t lose his health insurance.

Rep. Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, D-Chicago, announced his decision to leave office before Jan. 13, when the new General Assembly will be sworn in, in a statement addressed to neighbors and pointed to the state’s policy to “effectively terminate health insurance for me and my family on Dec. 31, even though my term ends on Jan. 13, 2021,” as his reason for leaving.

His resignation goes into effect at midnight on Dec. 31.

“As my term comes to a close, I’d like to say what an honor and privilege it has been to serve as your State Representative,” Pizer’s statement reads in part.

Pizer will return to his job as community liaison for U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley in the district, a position he held for five years until early 2020. Pizer said he’s been in touch with his successor, Margaret Croke, to ensure a “smooth and orderly transition.”

He did not respond to a request for comment.

Pizer was appointed to the seat in February after former Rep. Sara Feigenholtz moved up to the state Senate. He faced Croke in a hotly contested March primary. Croke garnered nearly 46% of the vote to Pizer’s 41%.

In July, the North Side state rep called for new leadership in the House after Speaker Michael Madigan was implicated in a federal bribery case involving ComEd.