Chicago Mayor Appoints Real Estate Expert For Planning & Development Role

Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Ciere Boatright, the Vice President of Real Estate and Community Development at CRG, to lead the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. This significant decision comes after the departure of Maurice Cox, who served in the position for four years and stepped down in August.

What this role entails: Pending approval from the city council, Boatright is set to assume her new role on November 20th. She will collaborate with Mayor Johnson to implement his economic development agenda, with a primary focus on fostering inclusive and equitable growth across the city's various neighborhoods, as stated in a city press release.

Why was Boatright chosen: Mayor Johnson expressed his confidence in Boatright, citing her extensive knowledge of economic development, commercial real estate, affordable housing, job creation, and community engagement. He believes that her expertise will contribute to creating a more equitable city for all residents.

Her impressive resume: Boatright's professional background at CRG has been marked by her leadership in planning and developing high-impact projects. This includes negotiating terms of agreements with government entities and securing land entitlements and public and private financing. Notably, Boatright initiated "Pillar" at CRG, an initiative aimed at providing support, mentoring, and technical assistance to emerging commercial developers of color.

Prior to joining CRG in 2021, Boatright, who hails from Chicago, spent eight years with Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives. During her tenure there, she played a pivotal role in driving multimillion-dollar projects across the city, leading to the creation of over 1,600 jobs. She also actively participated in working groups focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing for sale in Chicago's neighborhoods, according to the city's press release.

The significance of her appointment: Boatright's appointment is contingent on the approval of the city council. If confirmed, she will become the second Black woman to lead the city's Planning Department. The first was Valerie Jarrett, who served in this role from 1991 to 1995 before going on to become a senior adviser to President Barack Obama.

In response to her appointment, Boatright expressed her honor and enthusiasm, stating, "I am honored to join Mayor Johnson and the incredible team at DPD to work with developers, business and community leaders, and residents to create a more equitable, vibrant, and inclusive future throughout all Chicago neighborhoods," as conveyed in the press release.