Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 1-5

Chicago Tribune Section 1 Thursday, July 16, 2015 Sources: Mayor to tap Claypool to head CPS wF xtfml NANCY STONECHICAGO TRIBUNE Forrest Claypool, above, was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel as his City Hall chief of staff in April. Emanuel's chief of staff has history of troubleshooting By Hal Dardick and Juan Perez Jr. Chicago Tribune Mayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to soon appoint longtime City Hall trouble-shooter Forrest Claypool to head up the embattled Chicago Public Schools, two sources told the Tribune late Wednesday. It's a quick change of jobs for Claypool, who was appointed by Emanuel as his City Hall chief of staff in April. Before that, Claypool was president of the Chicago Transit Authority, a post he held during the mayor's first term.

The appointment is a sign of the woes at CPS, which faces a massive budget hole, a federal investigation into contracting and negotiations on a new teachers contract. Emanuel also is expected to appoint Frank Clark, a retired Commonwealth Edison executive, as the new Chicago Board of Education chairman, the sources said. Clark headed up an advisory panel during the process that led to the controversial closings of 50 schools. Clark would replace David Vitale. The district also is preparing to appoint a new chief education officer, according to one of the sources.

It's not immediately known who would replace Claypool as the mayor's chief of staff, one of the sources said. An Emanuel spokeswoman could not be reached late Wednesday. The previous permanent schools CEO, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, resigned in May amid a federal grand jury investigation connected to a $20.5 million no-bid principal training contract that Emanuel's hand-picked school board agreed to with no public discussion. As part of the probe, the grand last 4 days! JULY AREA RUG CLEARANCE EVENT 650o75ooff orig. prices between those stints he served as superintendent of the Chicago Park District, where he was lauded for cutting costs and streamlining bureaucracy.

After leaving the Daley administration, Claypool was elected as a Cook County commissioner as a self-styled reform candidate and became a vocal foe of John and Todd Stroger, father and son, who served as board presidents. Claypool lost primary bids for County Board president and county assessor against the elder Stroger and Joe Berrios, the regular Democratic Party candidates. During a 2010 interview, Claypool said he was between his second and third year of law school when he met Emanuel. Both worked for David Robinson, a downstate Democratic state representative who unsuccessfully challenged Republican U.S. Rep.

Paul Findley. Also working on that campaign was David Wilhelm, who went on to manage Bill Clinton's first campaign for president and become chairman of the Democratic National Committee. jury has subpoenaed records related to Byrd-Ben-nett and some of her top aides, who have since left the district, and the company that got the contract and once employed Byrd-Bennett. Since her departure, board member Jesse Ruiz has filled in as CEO. In addition, CPS is grappling with a budget shortfall of about $1.1 billion in the coming school year.

Cuts already have been made, but school officials say it could get much more difficult come midyear if the district does not get some relief from state government. The district preliminary budget depends on $500 million in relief from state lawmakers and the governor, who are deadlocked on their own budget amid partisan warfare. Meanwhile, the district also is in the middle of negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union. Claypool and Emanuel are longtime friends and allies dating to the early 1980s. Claypool has a long history of being called in to clean up troubled agencies by former Mayor Richard M.

Daley and Emanuel. Claypool was chief of staff twice under Daley, and extra 10 off aPsyreduced SAMPLES CLOSEOUTS OVERSTOCKS CLEARANCE It's our July clearance event! To make room for new inventory, we've marked down assorted handmade rugs and machine-woven reproductions. Shop famous maker rugs in a variety of colors, designs and sizes. Look for the green tags. Best of all you can take your rug home with you today! At these Fine Rug Galleries: Oakbrook Furniture Gallery 1717 West 22nd Street, Oakbrook State Street on 8 1 1 1 North State Street, Chicago Woodfield Furniture Gallery 1200 North Meacham, Schaumburg Old Orchard 4909 Orchard Center, Skokie the magic of nracys hdardicktribpub.com jjpereztribpub.com ORIG.

PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES, AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS. EXTRA 10 ENDS 71915. intermediate price reductions may have been taken.

Floor stock only. All sales final. Clearance items will not go up in price. Styles shown are representative of the group. Selection varies by store.

Delivery not available. Prices and merchandise may differ on macys.com ORIG. PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES, AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS.

EVENT ENDS 71915. intermediate price reductions may have been taken. Shipped orders are subject to a delivery fee. Coupons and other discount offers not accepted for clearance merchandise. Selection includes slightly damaged, imperfect, comfort returns or discontinued items.

All sales final, merchandise sold "as is" and limited to stock on hand. Macy's is not responsible for defects or repair. Purchaser assumes all risks as to quality and repair costs. Prices and merchandise may differ on macys.com.