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The high-profile president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, Dennis Gannon, has announced that he will not seek reelection this summer. After eight years at the head of one of Chicago's most powerful labor organizations, Gannon says he is ready to pass the torch. He plans to continue working for the union 'on the sidelines,' but says that he does not want to hang on to the presidency forever, fearing that his effective leadership will not always serve him. In the upcoming elections (scheduled for June) Gannon has said that he will back secretary-treasurer Jorge Ramirez. According to a University of Chicago expert, union members seem excited about Ramirez and believe he would be a good fit for the organization. As of now, Ramirez is uncontested, and many expect it to remain that way. If he wins, Ramirez will become the organizations first Latino president.