Forrest Claypool named Emanuel's next chief of staff

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday named Forrest Claypool as his next chief of staff.

Claypool is currently the president of the Chicago Transit Authority. He replaces Lisa Schrader, who is leaving the Emanuel administration after two years in her post and nearly 14 years with the city.

"I've known Forrest Claypool for 35 years. He has an unparalleled record of reform, accountability, and leadership in city and county government," Mayor Emanuel said. "That's why one of the first calls I made during my transition in 2011 was to Forrest to ask him to lead the CTA. He is a world-class manager, and under him, the CTA has never been run better."

Mayor Emanuel cited the Red Line South Reconstruction Project as an example of Claypool's management and vision.

"We did four years of work in just five months and it is the longest stretch of track that has ever been shut down and rebuilt from the dirt up at one time," Mayor Emanuel said.

Claypool served as superintendent of the Chicago Park District during the 1990s and served as a Cook County commissioner and previously ran for county assessor.

He will assume his new role after the May inauguration. His replacement at the CTA will be named in the coming weeks, the mayor's office said.