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April 19, 2011
Emanuel names Claypool new CTA president
Posted by Kristen Mack at 11:02 a.m.; last updated at 12:22 p.m.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel today named City Hall veteran Forrest Claypool to take over as president of the Chicago Transit Authority and announced another Daley Administration insider, Terry Peterson, would stay on as chairman of the CTA board.
Both Claypool, a former Cook County commissioner, and Peterson, a former alderman and head of the Chicago Housing Authority, are longtime loyalists for Mayor Richard Daley who supported Emanuel's bid for mayor.
Emanuel also named Gabe Klein as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. Klein served as Director of the District Department of Transportation under Mayor Adrian Fenty in Washington D.C.
The incoming CTA leadership will face several challenges, including continued funding challenges, a major need for continued investment in upgrading an aging transit system and union contracts that will expire during Emanuel's term.Claypool, 53, is a longtime ally of Emanuel who served on his transportation transition committee ahead of Emanuel's May 16 swearing-in. The two worked as political operatives on a Downstate congressional campaign when both were still in college.
Claypool later became a partner with David Axelrod, now a close political confidante of President Barack Obama, in a political consulting firm. In the late 1980s, Claypool become Daley’s chief of staff, a position he held twice.
Daley also appointed Claypool as superintendent of the Chicago Park District in the mid-1990s, where he was credited for reducing costs and expanding programs.
“Forrest is no stranger to taking on daunting challenges, Emanuel said, citing Claypool’s tenure at the park district.
“Throughout his career, Forrest has been an independent reformer and he has fought to bring effective services to all Chicagoans,” Emanuel said. “He shares my belief that it is our most critical piece of infrastructure. Forest has the experience to capitalize on the CTAs strengths and the creative mind to guide its future.”
At the county board Claypool challenged the Daley-backed administration of the late President John Stroger and became a leading critic of his son, former board President Todd Stroger. Claypool quit the county board last year and mounted an independent bid for Cook County assessor but lost to Joe Berrios, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.
Emanuel served on the board of the Chicago Housing Authority when Peterson was the authority's CEO.
"I asked him to stay on because I trust his leadership and stewardship of CTA at this juncture," Emanuel said.
“I’ve seen his leadership up close. I’ve seen how he works and how he leads and his commitment to public service,” Emanuel added. “Terry’s management skills and leadership style are truly impressive.”
Peterson fought on behalf of CTA in Washington and Springfield, Emanuel said.
Posted at 11:03:34 AM in 2011 Chicago mayor's race
Comments
good pick, mr claypool will now have a chance to show the public his ability to run a flawed and tough organization
Posted by: lamonth | April 19, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Please tell me that this press conference happened at a Brown Line stop. I'm begging you! It would make my day, my week, and my month!
Posted by: KDH273 | April 19, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Nothing changes in chicago.
Posted by: les | April 19, 2011 at 03:40 PM
CLAYPOOL IS A GOOD MAN .
Posted by: danseagull | April 19, 2011 at 03:35 PM
Seems like he is "acting" mayor, just like Obama was "acting" president before he took office., Let's hope RE will have a better record as time goes by.
Posted by: blahzzz | April 19, 2011 at 03:35 PM
Great choice, congratulations!
Posted by: Ela | April 19, 2011 at 03:02 PM
I'm not a fan of Rahm, but thumbs up for this one. I have always liked and respected Forrest, especially for the amazing work he did during his time at the Parks Dept.
Posted by: ChicagoDP | April 19, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Same ol'-same ol', as long as you are a member of democratic party you will always have a job. Doesn't matter if you know anything about the job you are to do. What does Claypool know about transportation? Absolutely nothing!
Posted by: quills | April 19, 2011 at 02:54 PM
It's a big family in Chicago. Everyone is connected.
Posted by: Kathleen1325 | April 19, 2011 at 02:50 PM
make that
"great choice"Posted by: bayshore | April 19, 2011 at 02:37 PM
greta choice!
Posted by: bayshore | April 19, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Forrest Claypool can be the head of anything, as far as I'm concerned. Seems like a bargain to me.
Posted by: CheeseFIB | April 19, 2011 at 02:30 PM
good post. we will get the chance to see mr claypool in action. i hope he lives up to his billing
Posted by: lamonth | April 19, 2011 at 01:24 PM
What kind of experience does Claypool have in running a transit agency? None.
Posted by: Joe | April 19, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I can't believe I agree with a decision from Rahm ! Forrest will be great !
Posted by: edlinn | April 19, 2011 at 12:58 PM
same old same old,DA CHICAGO WAY
Posted by: sean | April 19, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Glad to see Forrest Claypool back in the mix.
Posted by: Ron | April 19, 2011 at 12:49 PM
There was a noticeable and positive change at the Park District under Claypool and I hope he can do the same for the CTA. Chicago is one of just a handful of cities in the states that has a comprehensive public transit that actually works and the city needs to move forward with additions and improvements to make he system more efficient and user-friendly.
Posted by: Jim A in Chicago | April 19, 2011 at 12:34 PM
More cronyism in the daddy-daughter regime of Madiganistan.
Posted by: Jeff | April 19, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Well done Mr, Mayor.
Posted by: Peter Roach | April 19, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Great another person with no transportation experience running the CTA.
Posted by: Richard | April 19, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Great Choice!
Posted by: Active | April 19, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Forrest is a smart guy. Our public transportation system is crumbling and I hope he gets the backing he needs from feds/state/city to fix the mess left behind by Huberman.
Posted by: Just sayin' | April 19, 2011 at 11:47 AM
An excellent pick.
At least one Democrat who does not slavishly follow the dictates of the government "workers" union bosses.
Posted by: Brian | April 19, 2011 at 11:34 AM
What will happen to Rich Rodriguez?
What does this mean for UNO who backed Emmanuel?Posted by: BE KOOL | April 19, 2011 at 11:28 AM
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Clout St: Emanuel names Claypool new CTA president
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