Chicago Park District approves Chicago alderman as next superintendent and CEO

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa as the next superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners voted to approve the appointment of Ramirez-Rosa during an emergency board meeting Friday.

Ramirez-Rosa, who has served in City Council for nearly a decade, will succeed current CEO Rosa Escareño, who announced her resignation this week after three years at the helm.

The district oversees nearly 9,000 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, eight golf courses, and seven harbors.

Johnson praised Ramirez-Rosa’s leadership and commitment to equity, highlighting his track record of securing investments for parks and public spaces. 

"Making our Park District more equitable and accessible, particularly in disinvested communities, is critical to improving the quality of life for all Chicagoans," Johnson said in a statement. "Carlos is an effective leader and will be a strong Superintendent of the Chicago Park District."

Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa speaks on June 21, 2023, at City Hall. City leaders joined the One Fair Wage movement to urge lawmakers to require a full minimum wage with tips for restaurant workers. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Ser

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What they're saying:

Ramirez-Rosa grew up in Humboldt Park and says it's bittersweet to leave his longtime City Council post to take on what he says is a dream job, and he says he has a clear vision.

"Youth employment is a priority, making sure we’re expanding programming in our parks, that is a big priority," he said. "They play such a pivotal role in the life of our neighborhoods."

The Anti-Defamation League panned the move today, citing Ramirez-Rosa’s history of publicly supporting Palestine and opposing Israel.

The ADL Midwest tweeted that they believe Ramirez-Rosa has extreme views and an "open hostility toward the overwhelming majority of Chicago's Jewish community. If the mayor really wants to build bridges with the Jewish community, this isn’t how you do it."

Dig deeper:

Ramirez-Rosa has represented the 35th Ward since 2015. He also worked on securing improvements for urban green spaces and advocated for youth programming. Chicago Park District Board President Dr. Marlon Everett expressed support for the appointment, calling Ramirez-Rosa "a lifelong Chicagoan and proven public servant."

In response to the appointment, Ramirez-Rosa expressed gratitude for his time serving the 35th Ward and emphasized his commitment to ensuring all Chicagoans have access to quality parks.

"I look forward to carrying on that spirit of service to this new role to ensure that all Chicagoans can enjoy our parks," Ramirez-Rosa said.

Before his time in City Council, Ramirez-Rosa worked as a congressional aide, a union staffer, and a deportation defense organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. He holds a political science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The backstory:

Ramirez-Rosa has drawn some controversy during his time in City Council.

In November 2023, Ramirez-Rosa stepped down from his role as City Council floor leader and zoning committee chair after he allegedly grabbed an alderwoman during a meeting over Chicago's sanctuary status.

"Tensions were high at a chaotic meeting, and I let that get the best of me, leading me to act in a way unbecoming of a leader," Ramirez-Rosa said in a statement. "I sincerely apologize to my colleague, Alderwoman Emma Mitts, for the disrespectful interaction outside of Council Chambers."

What's next:

One of the immediate tasks at the park district is what to do with Soldier Field if the Bears leave and whether or not to support a new lakefront domed stadium that would be operated by the park district.

"Soldier Field is a wonderful, beautiful asset, it helps generate tourist dollars, it helps generate funding for the parks," Ramirez-Rosa said. "We need to make sure we’re coming together with all the stakeholders. The Bears, the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and the parks to figure out the win-win-win situation for the team, the public, and taxpayers."

Mayor Johnson promises a community-driven process to select Ramirez-Rosa's replacement as 35th Ward alderman. This comes as Johnson has moved to install more loyalists at key positions. He recently made comments to the tune of "If you’re not with us, then get out of the way."

Next up, Johnson will have to name a commissioner of the aviation department.