Mayor Brandon Johnson's transportation department head exits
The leader of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transportation department is leaving his post after more than 20 years with the agency.
Tom Carney marks yet another City Hall stalwart dropping from the mayor’s administration.
In a statement, Johnson said Carney will be “transitioning out of his role to focus on his family.”
"I want to thank Tom for his decades of service to our city. His work has made Chicago's streets safer, which has saved lives and made our city stronger," Johnson said. "Tom's work will be felt for generations to come, and I wish him all the best as he transitions out of his role."
Carney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The resignation of the career transportation bureaucrat comes just four months after longtime Aviation Department Commissioner Jamie Rhee stepped down. Rhee left amid a flurry of resignations when Johnson announced he would “clean house” of anyone who’s not loyal to his mission.
“If you ain’t with us, you just gotta go,” the mayor said at a church event in February.
Upon taking office, Johnson retained many holdovers from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, giving them a six-month “trial period” — and for many, beyond that — to prove themselves.
He also scored points with more moderate council members who criticized his lack of governing experience by hiring City Hall veterans in key roles, like Rich Guidice as chief of staff.
But many of those vets have since left, including Guidice, who resigned after 11 months.
Keeping people on from prior administrations instead of bringing in his own team immediately, as is customary, has led to political migraines for the freshman mayor. He has had public battles with cabinet members opposed to his policies, such as CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, and continuous departures in his leadership team have made his administration appear disorganized at times.
Johnson tapped Carney to lead the transportation department in March 2024.
The agency oversees Chicago’s streets and sidewalks, bridges, street signs, streetlights, bike lanes and more.