CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Johnson has chosen Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa to head the Chicago Park District.
The Chicago Park District Board voted unanimously in favor of the mayor's pick of the Logan Square alderman.
Ramirez-Rosa replaces Rosa Escareño, who this week said she would step down at the end of next month.
David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association in Chicago and tells WBBM Johnson choosing Ramirez-Rosa makes sense.
"This is one of Johnson's staunchest political allies. In a position, especially with the short term hires that they do during the summer and in the course of business, there is the opportunity to offer jobs to political allies, which should help Mayor Johnson should he seek reelection," says Greising.
Given his lack of experience, Ramirez-Rosa could have his hands full, Greising believes.
"He probably has the smarts to do it, but just having that organizational capability to run a bureaucracy that large is something else, given especially the Chicago Parks are facing some serious challenges these days," Greising says.
The mayor now has 60 days to appoint a new alderman for the 35th Ward. He will receive recommendations from a community-based selection committee.
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