Chicago mayor-elect names transition leadership

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson named a transition committee and subcommittee leadership Thursday that draws from members of the city’s business, activist, and governmental communities to help shape his administration’s strategies and priorities.

Johnson charged the group with crafting a written report in the coming week to guide the administration that takes office May 15th.

“We need everyone who can help at the table, and that’s what’s reflected in these appointments,” Johnson said in a statement. “I look forward to hearing from our transition committee and subcommittee chairs as we establish our policy priorities for the next four years and beyond.”

Transition committee members include several names familiar to the public finance community including Martin Cabrera, head of Cabrera Capital Markets, a majority Latino-owned investment banking firm, and Richard Price, executive chairman of Mesirow, which also does public finance banking. Kirk Dillard, a former state lawmaker and current head of the Regional Transportation Authority board is the transportation subcommittee co-chair.

Johnson takes office next month after placing among the top two finishers in the February mayoral race and then winning the April run-off contest.

Johnson previously named a chief of staff, Rich Guidice, who had recently stepped down as executive director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications, and first deputy chief of staff Christina Pacione-Zayas, a state lawmaker.