Commissioner Jamie Rhee, who has been at the helm of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) since 2018, has announced her retirement effective April 15, 2025, signaling the end of a tenure marked by significant developments at both O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Rhee's career is dotted with substantial contributions to the aviation landscape, including guiding major transformations in the airport infrastructure that promise to enhance the travel experience for passengers for years to come.
The announcement, detailed in a statement from the Chicago Mayor's Office, highlights Rhee's decades of public service and her zeal for leveling the playing field for diverse businesses. In the words of Mayor Brandon Johnson, "Her work has improved the travel experience for hundreds of millions of visitors that will be felt for generations to come. Her unwavering commitment to diverse businesses of all types and sizes has opened countless doors for Chicagoans who have been shut out for far too long." This praise captures not just Rhee's professional achievements, but her focus on inclusivity and economic opportunity within the aviation sector.
Rhee's leadership saw over 100 million passengers travel through Chicago's airports in 2024 alone, according to the official statement. Her portfolio includes the modernization of Terminal 5, the expansion of Midway International Airport's security checkpoint, and the Midway Modernization Program, among other initiatives. These improvements spell out a commitment to progress and efficiency in one of the nation's busiest aviation hubs.
Beginning her journey as a Customer Service Foreign Language Assistant, Rhee pursued a law degree at night before ascending the ladder that would eventually lead to her becoming Commissioner. Her career has spanned various significant positions, including General Counsel for O'Hare's Modernization Program and a stint as the Chief Procurement Officer, during which Rhee has been a beacon for innovation and effective administration in the field of aviation. In a fitting farewell, she expressed her gratitude for the "opportunities that have been afforded to me" and her pride in the collective accomplishments to elevate the City's airports.
An acclaimed figure in the aviation industry, Rhee also holds influential roles outside her commissioner duties. Her engagement with Airport Council International – North America as Vice Chair, the US Policy Council, and myriad national boards such as the American Association of Airport Executives underscores her status as a thought leader, imbued with a vision that extends beyond Chicago's airspace.
