Budovitch previously served as first deputy for BEND, with Brian Tyler stepping into the BEND role as managing deputy.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a broad personnel shakeup, naming Emmanuel Andre as the new deputy mayor for community safety, a move that follows the firing of Garien Gatewood and his top deputy amid a policy direction overhaul.

Gatewood’s former aide Manuel Whitfield, who led violence prevention and community safety efforts, was also dismissed as part of the cabinet overhaul.

The leadership changes come after the abrupt departures of the previous deputy mayor for community safety and acting CDOT commissioner Craig Turner, who left last month.

Cheaks Jr. must secure City Council approval for his appointment as Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner to become official.

The announcement notes the information is sourced from the mayor’s office and FOIA-derived materials and underscores that council confirmation is required for Cheaks’ CDOT role.

Seven other new administration positions were announced alongside the top roles, signaling a broad organizational realignment.

Cheaks Jr. is described as a City Hall veteran with extensive infrastructure and public operations experience, including a former managing deputy commissioner role at the Department of Water Management.

Additional appointees include Max Budovitch as deputy mayor for business, economic, and neighborhood development; Militza Pagán as deputy mayor for labor relations; Jonah Anderson as first deputy mayor for health and human services; Brian Tyler as first deputy for business, economic, and neighborhood development; Marissa Arrez as deputy chief of external affairs; and Joshua Smyser-De Leon as deputy director of City Council intergovernmental affairs.

Budovitch’s appointment fills the vacancy created by Keny Merritt’s move to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, with Tyler succeeding him as first deputy.

Jonah Anderson has been involved in leading homelessness strategy, while Sendy Soto exited the role of chief homelessness officer in a temporary grant-funded position.

The leadership changes are framed as a move to address Chicago’s public safety and transportation challenges and to pursue more equitable governance.