: Planning and Development Commissioner Andrew J. Mooney

Planning and Development Commissioner Andrew Mooney will retire from city service on Sept.1,  Mayor Rahm Emanuel expects to announce a replacement this summer.

“In the last five years, Andy Mooney has driven a number of our city’s most significant urban planning programs – from the launch of Chicago’s 5-year Housing Plan and the Fulton Market District, to the financing of a new Whole Foods in Englewood and the new Method factory in Pullman. His efforts have helped to bring about thousands of new jobs, new affordable housing and new developments that will continue to spur Chicago’s economic growth for decades to come,” said Mayor Emanuel.

Commissioner Mooney served as the commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) since 2010. During his tenure, he integrated four legacy agencies within the Department of Housing and Economic Development and a new TIF division under the management of DPD.

“I’m grateful for the privilege the Mayor extended to me to serve the people of Chicago,” said Commissioner Mooney. “These five years have been both challenging and filled with opportunity. On the horizon I see even more development and growth in the City’s economy, which will continue to make Chicago one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Under Commissioner Mooney’s leadership, the Department leads the city’s affordable housing, land use planning and historic preservation issues. He was instrumental in the creation and City Council approval of Mayor Emanuel’s $1.3 billion 5-Year Housing Plan which will build, rehabilitate or preserve more than 40,000 units of affordable housing by 2018. Commissioner Mooney also spearheaded the passage of Mayor Emanuel’s landmark reforms to the Affordable Requirements Ordinance to generate more than $90 million for housing over the next five years. Additionally, he implemented the Large Lots Program which, to date, has sold more than 475 underutilized City-owned lots in Greater Englewood and East Garfield Park to local residents and community groups for $1 each.

Commissioner Mooney also oversaw the implementation of strategic plans focused on accelerating growth in key neighborhoods across the City. In 2013, the Department launched Chicago Neighborhoods Now, an initiative that helped facilitate the investment of more than $4 billion in seven targeted areas. Commissioner Mooney has helped implement projects contributing to the revival of the South Loop and McCormick Place area and led the City’s effort to establish the Fulton Market District which will drive economic investment in the West Loop while preserving and maintaining the characteristics and history of the neighborhood. He was also integral to the City’s work with the Chicago Cubs on Wrigley Field.