Rhee embraced as new aviation commissioner
It was supposed to be — and was — a City Council confirmation hearing for Chicago’s newly- appointed aviation commissioner.
But when it was over, Jamie Rhee acknowledged that it was more like attending her own funeral and having the pleasure of hearing the laudatory eulogies while you’re still alive.
Chicago aldermen who clashed repeatedly with departing Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans welcomed Rhee on Thursday with open arms.
Not only did the Aviation Committee approve her appointment, with as many as 15 aldermen in attendance at one point.
They also praised her to the hilt as everything they have said Evans wasn’t: collaborative, responsive, receptive, inclusive. And most of all, willing to work with aldermen who have their own issues and their own constituents to whom they must answer.
“Her time in city government is something that all city officials and employees should look to and aspire to emulate. She’s simply the best that municipal government employees can be,” said Ald. Edward Burke ( 14th), who showed up at Thursday’s hearing with a black eye and scratch on his head that he refused to discuss.
Burke clashed repeatedly with Evans over everything from smelly sound insulation windows installed at homes around Midway Airport to concession contracts and her decision to strip aviation security officers of their police powers in the embarrassing aftermath of the passenger- dragging fiasco on United Airlines Flight 1411.
He expects no such trouble from Rhee, “who I’m certain will be a great leader of the Department of Aviation at a critical time in Chicago’s future.”
Ald. Carrie Austin ( 34th) struck the same positive tone.
“I’ve heard some negative things out on the street and did I have to shut their mouths,” the always outspoken Austin said. “The mayor could not have picked a better person.”
After aldermen sang Rhee’s praises, representatives from Black Contractors United, the Hispanic- American Construction Industry Association and the Federation of Women Contractors talked about how inclusive Rhee has been as the city’s chief procurement officer and how fair they expect her to be with the gravy train of jobs and contracts tied to the $ 8.7 billion O’Hare expansion project.