Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Personnel Updates

CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the following updates to City and Mayor's Office personnel.

Chicago Department of Transportation

William Cheaks, Jr. is serving as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). A lifelong Chicagoan, Cheaks brings more than four decades of experience managing large-scale infrastructure and public operations. Most recently, Cheaks served as Managing Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Water Management, where he oversaw a workforce of 1,800 employees and a $1.58 billion budget. During his tenure, he led efforts to modernize operations, improve accountability, and enhance workplace safety.

Prior to that role, Cheaks served for over a decade as Deputy Commissioner of Infrastructure Management and In-House Construction at CDOT. He led the development of innovative tools that improved coordination, transparency, and efficiency across city agencies. Cheaks began his career as a laborer and worked his way through the ranks, shaping his commitment to building efficient systems that support workers and communities. He remains focused on advancing a safe, equitable, and modern transportation system for every Chicagoan.

Cheaks' appointment is subject to approval by the City Council.

Mayor's Office

Emmanuel Andre has been appointed Deputy Mayor for Community Safety. Andre is a litigator and restorative justice leader focused on advancing a public safety model rooted in community care and accountability. Most recently, Andre served as a senior member of the Cook County Public Defender's Office, where he built support systems for young people navigating the courts and centered those most impacted by systemic harm.

A leader in Chicago's restorative justice movement, Andre helped expand Restorative Justice Community Courts and co-founded Circles and Ciphers, advancing community-based approaches to safety. He also contributed to the development of Freedom Defense Centers, a model which expands access to legal and support services.

Andre has received local and national recognition for his leadership, including the Wesleyan Impact Partners Locke Innovative Leader Award and the Cook County State's Attorney's C.F. Stradford Award.

Max Budovitch is serving as Deputy Mayor for Business, Economic, and Neighborhood Development (BEND). Budovitch previously served as First Deputy for BEND, where he supported the work of eight City departments and sister agencies relating to planning, housing, business affairs, consumer protection, economic development, tourism, cultural affairs, and special events. Prior to joining the Mayor's Office, Budovitch served as Deputy Commissioner of Business Licenses and Permits at the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, where he oversaw the City's business licensing and permitting center. He also led policy efforts related to worker protection, small business support, operations, and legislation.

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Budovitch began his public service career at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. He later worked with the World Bank, advising national governments on housing policy in multiple countries. He holds a master's in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Militza M. Pagán is serving as Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations. Pagán has been with the Mayor's Office since April 2023 as First Deputy of Labor Relations, where she has led policy development on key labor initiatives. Prior to joining the administration, Pagán served as Policy Director for the City Council Committee on Workforce Development, where she led the development of the Paid Leave Ordinance. She previously worked as an Economic Justice Staff Attorney at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Pagán holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Jonah Anderson is serving as First Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and will assume a dual appointment as Director of the Mayor's Office of Homelessness. Anderson brings more than 15 years of experience across public health, housing, and human services in government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and financial sectors.

Prior to joining the City, Anderson worked with Cinnaire, where he helped secure more than $141 million in equity and supported the development of over 650 affordable housing units. Earlier in his career, he served as a Mobile Crisis Counselor, providing trauma-informed support and connecting individuals in crisis to housing, healthcare, and services.

Within the Johnson administration, Anderson has been a key leader on homelessness strategy and the primary point of contact for Health and Human Services on the operations of the Mayor's Office of Homelessness. In his dual role, he will help strengthen coordination across City departments and partner agencies and advance implementation of the City's homelessness response efforts.

Brian Tyler is serving as First Deputy for Business, Economic, and Neighborhood Development. Brian previously served as Managing Deputy of Business, Economic, and Neighborhood Development (BEND) in the Office of the Mayor, where he supported the department's directors through research, strategy, and coordination across housing, business, and commercial development initiatives.

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Tyler is a former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Guatemala and remained in Central America working on community-driven economic and neighborhood development initiatives. After returning to the United States, he worked with community-based organizations focused on cooperative development, business licensing and technical assistance, community organizing, and affordable housing. Tyler holds a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Business Law from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and is currently a Master of Arts in Public Policy candidate at the University of Chicago.

Marissa Arrez is serving as Deputy Chief of External Affairs. A lifelong Chicagoan and daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, Arrez brings a strong commitment to advancing equity and expanding access to resources for historically underserved communities. Arrez served as First Deputy for the Mayor's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, where she oversaw community partnerships and outreach efforts across the city. She has previously served as Chief of Staff in both the Illinois House and Senate, where she led work on policy development, community engagement, and constituent services.

Intergovernmental Affairs

Joshua Smyser-De Leon is serving as Deputy Director of City Council Intergovernmental Affairs. Smyser-De Leon brings cross-sector experience spanning government, nonprofit, and private industry, with a focus on public policy and community engagement. Prior to joining the Mayor's Office, he served as Government Affairs Manager at Comcast, leading initiatives related to policy, digital equity, and community partnerships across Chicago and the surrounding region. He has also served as Communications Director for Alderman Daniel La Spata and held roles in public relations and nonprofit organizations. Smyser-De Leon holds a Master's degree in Public Relations and Advertising and a Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from DePaul University.

Mayor's Press Office

Allison Novelo is serving as Press Secretary for Mayor Johnson. Novelo brings extensive communications and journalism experience, most recently working as a campaign reporter for CBS News covering the 2024 presidential election. She previously held a communications role with Cook County government and worked as a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, covering elections, public safety, business, and community issues. Novelo is a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard and holds a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

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