Trending...
- At Your Service Plumbing Named a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave
- Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Breaks Ground On First 'Missing Middle' Housing Development in North Lawndale
- Stout Industrial Technology Appoints Paul Bonnett as Chief Executive Officer
CHICAGO ~ Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee has announced her retirement from her position, effective April 15, 2025. Rhee, who was appointed in 2018, has been instrumental in overseeing major projects at both O'Hare and Midway International Airports.
During her tenure, Rhee has made significant contributions to the city's airports, leading to the welcoming of over 100 million passengers in 2024. Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Rhee for her dedication and impact on the city's airports and its people.
"Throughout her decades-long career, Commissioner Rhee embodied the best of public service, and she has left an indelible mark on our airports and our city," said Mayor Johnson. "Her work has improved the travel experience for hundreds of millions of visitors that will be felt for generations to come. Her unwavering commitment to diverse businesses of all types and sizes has opened countless doors for Chicagoans who have been shut out for far too long."
Rhee expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she has been given and her pride in the progress made during her time as commissioner.
"I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me and am extremely proud of the work that's been accomplished to move our City and our airports forward," said Commissioner Rhee. "I would like to thank my team at the Department of Aviation and my colleagues for their incredible dedication to public service."
More on illi News
Under Rhee's leadership, several transformative projects have taken place at Chicago's airports. These include a modernization project at Terminal 5 which added 350,000 square feet and 10 new gates to accommodate different size aircraft. Additionally, a new parking facility was constructed and commissioned.
At Midway International Airport, Rhee oversaw the expansion of a new security checkpoint which doubled its capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 passengers per hour. She also managed the completion of the Midway Modernization Program, which included a $75 million investment in the concessions redevelopment program and has one of the highest Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation rates in the nation.
One of Rhee's most significant achievements was the reconfiguration of O'Hare's airfield from an intersecting runway system to a parallel (east-west) runway configuration. This modernization not only improved the airport but also resulted in a 66% reduction in system impact delays and created tens of thousands of jobs.
Rhee's career in aviation began as a Customer Service Foreign Language Assistant at O'Hare International Airport while she pursued her law degree at night. She then went on to hold various roles in the City's Planning and Development Department, Department of Law, and eventually returned to the CDA as General Counsel for the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP). She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff under Mayor Richard M. Daley before becoming Chief Procurement Officer for nearly a decade.
More on illi News
Rhee is highly regarded in the aviation industry and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Airports Council International – North America and as a member of the Airports Council International World Board. She has also held positions such as Chair of the US Policy Council for Airport Council International – North America during FAA reauthorization. Rhee is also involved with several national and local boards, including the American Association of Airport Executives, Executive Women in Aviation, U.S. Travel Association, and World Travel and Tourism Council.
As Commissioner Rhee prepares to retire, her contributions to Chicago's airports will be remembered for years to come. Her dedication to public service and commitment to improving travel experiences for all will leave a lasting impact on both visitors and residents alike.
During her tenure, Rhee has made significant contributions to the city's airports, leading to the welcoming of over 100 million passengers in 2024. Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Rhee for her dedication and impact on the city's airports and its people.
"Throughout her decades-long career, Commissioner Rhee embodied the best of public service, and she has left an indelible mark on our airports and our city," said Mayor Johnson. "Her work has improved the travel experience for hundreds of millions of visitors that will be felt for generations to come. Her unwavering commitment to diverse businesses of all types and sizes has opened countless doors for Chicagoans who have been shut out for far too long."
Rhee expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she has been given and her pride in the progress made during her time as commissioner.
"I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me and am extremely proud of the work that's been accomplished to move our City and our airports forward," said Commissioner Rhee. "I would like to thank my team at the Department of Aviation and my colleagues for their incredible dedication to public service."
More on illi News
- Klein Civil Rights Expands with New Offices in New York's Historic Woolworth Building
- Biz Hub Financial Hosts 9th Annual Client Appreciation Event, Awards $1,000 CARES Community Grant
- Green Office Partner Appoints Aaron Smith as Chief Revenue and Growth Officer
- N2 Solutions Acquires Current Technologies
- City Of Chicago Joins Illinois Lawsuit Challenging Illegal Actions by Federal Immigration Agents in Chicago
Under Rhee's leadership, several transformative projects have taken place at Chicago's airports. These include a modernization project at Terminal 5 which added 350,000 square feet and 10 new gates to accommodate different size aircraft. Additionally, a new parking facility was constructed and commissioned.
At Midway International Airport, Rhee oversaw the expansion of a new security checkpoint which doubled its capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 passengers per hour. She also managed the completion of the Midway Modernization Program, which included a $75 million investment in the concessions redevelopment program and has one of the highest Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation rates in the nation.
One of Rhee's most significant achievements was the reconfiguration of O'Hare's airfield from an intersecting runway system to a parallel (east-west) runway configuration. This modernization not only improved the airport but also resulted in a 66% reduction in system impact delays and created tens of thousands of jobs.
Rhee's career in aviation began as a Customer Service Foreign Language Assistant at O'Hare International Airport while she pursued her law degree at night. She then went on to hold various roles in the City's Planning and Development Department, Department of Law, and eventually returned to the CDA as General Counsel for the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP). She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff under Mayor Richard M. Daley before becoming Chief Procurement Officer for nearly a decade.
More on illi News
- A Family Completes a Full Circumnavigation of the Globe in a Self-Contained Camper Van
- Midwest Pond Features & Landscape Opens Spring Pond Cleaning Schedule Across Chicagoland
- Midwest Pond Features & Landscape Opens Spring Pond Cleaning Schedule Across Chicagoland
- Former Google Search Team Member Launches AI-Powered SEO Consultancy in Las Vegas
- Q3 2025 Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report Highlights Shifting Job Demand, Semiconductor Momentum and Workforce Investment
Rhee is highly regarded in the aviation industry and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Airports Council International – North America and as a member of the Airports Council International World Board. She has also held positions such as Chair of the US Policy Council for Airport Council International – North America during FAA reauthorization. Rhee is also involved with several national and local boards, including the American Association of Airport Executives, Executive Women in Aviation, U.S. Travel Association, and World Travel and Tourism Council.
As Commissioner Rhee prepares to retire, her contributions to Chicago's airports will be remembered for years to come. Her dedication to public service and commitment to improving travel experiences for all will leave a lasting impact on both visitors and residents alike.
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- Jones Sign Rebrands as Jones to Reflect Growth, Innovation, and Expanded Capabilities
- $1 Million Share Repurchase Signals Confidence as Off The Hook YS Scales a Tech-Driven Platform in the $57 Billion U.S. Marine Market
- Trends Journal's Top Trends of 2026
- CollabWait to Launch Innovative Waitlist Management Platform for Behavioral Health Services
- Urban Bush Women Celebrates Bessie Award Nominations & Winter 2026 Touring
- Imagen Golf Launches "Precision Lessons" with Trackman iO in Newtown, PA
- New Report Reveals Surprising Trends in Illinois Airport Accidents
- PebblePad Acquires myday to Deliver Unified Digital Campus Experiences for Student Success
- Adam Clermont Releases New Book – Profit Before People: When Corporations Knew It Was Dangerous and Sold It Anyway
- Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Statement On The Trump Administration's Attack On Venezuela
- Indie Sci-Fi Franchise Digi 995 Expands Storylines Through Fan-Driven Inspiration
- Anacostia Rail Holdings Appoints Aimee Nolan as Chief Legal Officer
- Dirty Heads, 311, Tropidelic, and The Movement to Headline Everwild Music Festival in 2026 with its largest lineup to date!
- The Stork Foundation Announces 2025 Year-End Impact and Grant Awards Amid Rising National Demand
- New Book and Guided Journal Encourage Healing Through Honest Communication
- Stout Industrial Technology Appoints Paul Bonnett as Chief Executive Officer
- Revenue Optics Appoints Ljupco Icevski as Executive Advisor in Strategic Move to Accelerate Commercial Development
- Waarom brand mentions in ChatGPT steeds belangrijker worden
- Yunishigawa Onsen's Annual "Kamakura Festival" will be held January 30 – March 1, 2026
- At Your Service Plumbing Named a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave