(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The housecleaning Mayor Johnson promised in an appearance less than a week ago may now be happening.
Earlier this week Mayor Johnson told an audience that he regretted not getting rid of holdovers from previous administrations – people who didn’t share his vision.
“If you ain't with us, you gotta go,” Johnson said.
He appears to be making cuts, on Thursday afternoon three department heads announced they are leaving.
The first was Aviation Commissioner and longtime City Hall insider Jamie Rhee, who's been in charge of the city's airports for the last seven years.
Rhee has announced that on April 15, she will be stepping down from her job as the Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner. She has served three mayors.
She presided over redevelopment efforts at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and the Chicago Midway International Airports. She has also been very popular with city council members.
Alderman Matthew J. O’Shea, who chairs the city council committee on aviation, said he is at a loss for what could have triggered Rhee's ouster.
"She'll be here 2 more months and trying to make sure that it's a smooth transition at a time when this administration cannot afford to be losing such a talented voice, such a talented leader."
Next, the mayor's office announced Jose Tirado Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications will be "transitioning" out of his job after three years.
O’Shea says Tirado wanted to go back to law enforcement.
Then it was announced Andrea Kersten the Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability is stepping down.
Kersten is the only one who's had public turbulence because of investigations of alleged police misconduct.
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