AIRPORT OPERATING OFFICER RESIGNS
The $ 159,096- a- year chief operating officer in charge of O’Hare Airport has resigned, exacerbating a leadership vacuum under Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans.
Jonathan Leach was a holdover from the team assembled by former Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino. He served as general counsel before moving up the ladder.
When authority over the massive O’Hare Modernization Project was consolidated under Andolino, Leach assumed more power. As first managing deputy and chief operating officer, he oversaw both day- to- day operations and massive construction projects at O’Hare.
Leach could not be reached for comment.
“Big loss. Without a doubt, almost all major stuff crossed his desk. A lot of institutional knowledge there. He had a lot on his plate,” said a source familiar with Leach’s responsibilities.
The Sun- Times reported May 1 that four of Chicago’s top airport security jobs were vacant. The vacancies included fired O’Hare and Midway security chief Jeff Redding; two deputies who’d been working under him, and the managing deputy commissioner of security who was supposed to be Redding’s boss, City Hall sources said then.
Andrew Velasquez, the former regional administrator for the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, has since replaced Redding. As managing deputy for safety and security, Velasquez will be paid an annual salary of $ 175,000, more than $ 56,000 higher than Redding’s salary as deputy commissioner.
Sources said the chief of staff’s position remains vacant, as well as the job of chief counsel. Another deputy for security was reportedly hired this week.
Aviation Department spokeswoman Lauren Huffman had no immediate comment on Leach’s departure.
Another source said Evans “hopes to announce a new, highly qualified” chief operating officer shortly.