Former Ald. Billy Ocasio said today he wants his wife to succeed him as 26th Ward alderman, and he has withdrawn his recommendation of a controversial minister as his replacement.

Ocasio told the Tribune today that Mayor Richard Daley has interviewed his wife, Veronica Ocasio, for the opening created when he quit the City Council recently to become an aide to Gov. Patrick Quinn.

Veronica Ocasio is an aide to U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.). When Gutierrez was elected to Congress in 1993, Daley appointed Ocasio to fill the vacancy on the council.
 
"Veronica is a very accomplished individual," Billy Ocasio said. "She has worked with every community organization and every Latino elected official."
 
Gay rights activists had opposed the potential appointment of Rev. Wilfredo DeJesus, citing his comments about gays. Today, Ocasio said DeJesus dropped out of consideration because he does not live in the 26th Ward.
 
"The reverend owns property and has a house he built in the ward but he doesn't actually live there, so he can't be appointed," Ocasio said.

Reached this afternoon, DeJesus said his decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the outcry from Chicago's gay community over his remarks.
 
"I think the LGBT community shared their concerns and I shared my concerns," said DeJesus, who added that some in the gay community were in support of him. "It's an ordinance and we have to oblige by it and respect it."
 
He said he was "honored" to even be considered for the position and said he now "fully supports" Ocasio's wife for the position.
 
DeJesus said he started building a home in the 26th Ward in February, but continues living in the 31st Ward. He said he didn't know if Ocasio knew he didn't live in the ward when he recommended him.  
 
Daley spokeswoman, Jacquelyn Heard, did not return a call seeking comment.

Gutierrez wrote a letter of support to Daley for Veronica Ocasio last week. State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) wrote a letter to her supporters dated today backing Veronica Ocasio.