Rahm Emanuel Announces Transportation Team
- By Kevin Zolkiewicz
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel this morning announced picks for his transportation team. Current CTA president Richard Rodriguez will be replaced with former Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool. Terry Peterson will remain as chair of the Chicago Transit Board while Gabe Klein, former transportation boss from Washington D.C., will head the Department of Transportation.
Forrest Claypool has formerly served two terms as Cook County Commissioner. His other previous stints include superintendent of the Chicago Park District and Chief of Staff to Mayor Daley. He has no transit experience, although Emanuel believes that Claypool “has the experience to capitalize on the CTAs strengths and the creative mind to guide its future.”
Gabe Klein will become commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation following his previous position as director of Washington D.C.’s Department of Transportation. During his tenure in D.C., Klein was widely regarded as an advocate for biking, transit, and pedestrians. He was responsible for implementation of a new bike sharing program and separated bike lanes, while also pushing for a new streetcar system.