But, after a year of searching, the mayor has yet to find the right people to head Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Transit Authority.
he trains are running, public housing is open and so are Chicago Public Schools. CTA, CHA and CPS are functioning despite the lack of permanent leadership for a long time.
"Even with interims in those positions, government has not stopped," Johnson said.
At a City Club appearance this week, Mayor Johnson defended his almost unprecedented decision to leave the top positions at three major agencies open for a year, something government watchdogs say it not a good for the city.
"It matters a lot that they are interims running these long term agencies, you lose long term strategic planning, you lose accountability," said David Greising, Better Government Association president and CEO.
Greising says the lack of a permanent leadership can lead to major missteps. At the CHA, it may affect the homelessness problem. Greising says the CTA needs someone to help protect federal funding for the Red Line extension project.
"Funding of the CTA extension is potentially at risk, and the lack of leadership in that agency is a significant risk for the city and for all of its residents," Greising said.
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And the mayor, a former teacher, has yet to name a CPS CEO, even though his hand picked-board ousted Pedro Martinez more than a year ago. Dr. Maqueline King has served as an interim since Martinez left last June. The selection process hit another snag when six board members accused the mayor and his allies of "sabotaging" the search process by cutting ties with a search firm.
"Here is the ultimate goal is to be build the safest most affordable city in America," Johnson said. :"Having the right people in the position to understand that assignment and alignment then we'll make those appointments."
However, the mayor has not said when, and there are more vacancies open. Johnson has yet to name chairs for City Council's powerful Zoning Committee and the Ethics Board.
Come April, the mayor will have another vacancies to fill. The city's Inspector General Deborah Witzburg is leaving, and so far there has been no movement to replace her.
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