Overview
- Mayor Brandon Johnson, who announced the changes Wednesday, selected Emmanuel Andre as deputy mayor for community safety to replace Garien Gatewood and nominated William Cheaks Jr. to lead the transportation department, both subject to City Council approval.
- Cheaks would replace acting commissioner Craig Turner and brings decades in city infrastructure, including leading 1,800 workers and a $1.58 billion budget at the Department of Water Management.
- Andre comes from the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, helped expand Restorative Justice Community Courts, and co-founded Circles and Ciphers to support youth affected by violence.
- Ald. Scott Waguespack urged slower confirmations after former Human Relations commissioner Nancy Andrade accused senior aides of a hostile workplace and pressuring changes to an antisemitism report, accusations the mayor’s office rejected.
- City Hall also named seven mayoral‑office hires and put forward two nominees for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, Angelique Guzman and Anjanette Young, with the commission appointments requiring City Council approval.