Mayor-elect hits a home run with CoS pick
Government veteran, Guidice is ideal choice
Rich Guidice might not be a household name around Chicago, however , he is the ideal pick for chief of staff for an incoming mayor who has never been in charge before. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson named Guidice as his right hand this week-a selection Guidice deemed “an honor".”
Guidice recently retired as executive director of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management after 18 years in that role. He has more than 30 years as a city employee.
In Guidice, Johnson will get a government veteran who knows his way around most city departments and has lasted more than three decades serving with distinction. He brings the no-nonsense, nuts and bolts attitude Johnson will need particularly this year as he acclimates to the new job. Additionally, Guidice brings the reputation of being able to effectively interact with all levels of people.
Along with the Guidice announcement, Johnson also revealed he selected Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, as deputy chief of staff. Pacione-Zayas is the state senator for the 20th District and has a distinguished career focusing on Latino and educational issues.
Both appointments should thwart any criticisms about race and racial balance at the leadership level. Expect Johnson to begin deputy mayor posts with folks who have strong reputations and are highly visible in government and the African-American community.
Johnson overlooked a golden opportunity
When hundreds of young people decided to descend on parts of downtown last weekend and wreak havoc, the Chicago Police Department, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office, and all ilks of Chicagoans were stunned. Some accuse CPD of being stunned to the point of inaction.
The fighting, trashing of property and general disregard for safety the activities lasted for hours. Live news accounts were sharing the melee with us. It was then that Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson should left wherever he was and made his way to Du Sable Lake Shore Drive or any other area where the disturbances were happening.
Johnson, who right now, may be the most recognizable face in Chicago; would not only have surprsied those doing the dirt; it is likely he could have played a huge role in quelling the disturbances from getting further out of hand.
Imagine a young teen stomping on the roof of a car and looking down and seeing the mayor-elect, motioning for him to come down so they could talk. Johnson would have been instantly surrounded by other teens who most likely had never seen up close the man who is about to become mayor.
Johnson’s presence would have been a clarion signal that someone sees them and is listening to them-someone in a high place. Even though he is not in office yet, there is little doubt he could have been assigned a CPD detail that could have been nearby. When the word got back to the schools on Monday that “the new mayor” was out on the street among the youth, Johnson would have had a following he could never imagined. Unfortunately, his failure to demonstrate the new type of thinking he is fond of talking about didn’t materialize when it was really needed. Next time will be too late.