Cook County Land Bank head leaving for private sector job

The executive director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority is stepping down in June after six years of heading the agency tasked with getting vacant land redeveloped.

Robert Rose submitted his resignation letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Monday and said he was “proud of the things our team has accomplished.” He will leave the role June 30.

Rose began his outgoing job in 2015, two years after Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, D-Chicago, set up the land bank. The group aims to promote development in blighted communities by acquiring and selling foreclosed and abandoned properties in Cook County.

“I was honored to be entrusted and empowered to lead an agency that would build wealth and promote economic development by addressing the devastating problem of vacant and abandoned properties in specific communities in Cook County,” Rose wrote in his resignation letter.

The resignation was first reported by the Sun-Times. Rose did not elaborate on his next job besides saying he was “transitioning to the private sector” that will involve working with land developers.

“By rehabbing vacant property and creating more quality affordable housing, supporting entrepreneurship for communities of color, and returning property to the tax rolls, Rob’s leadership helped spur economic development where it was needed the most,” Preckwinkle wrote in a statement. “I look forward to cheering for Rob’s success in his new endeavors, and we’re thankful to have his assistance during the transition.”

In his letter, Rose said the land bank’s portfolio grew from 30 properties to nearly 1,200, and the agency returned the majority of them to community developers.

In a statement, a land bank spokeswoman said a national search will begin for Rose’s replacement.