Citing lack of ‘allies,’ mayor’s nominee to RTA board withdraws from consideration

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s nominee to the Regional Transportation Authority board has withdrawn his name from consideration, saying he’s been disappointed by the lack of support from people he believed to be allies.

“I selflessly came forward to serve on this committee, willing to do it, willing to give my all, never knew that people who call themselves allies would fight it,” Rev. Ira Acree said at a Friday morning press conference at Greater St. John Bible Church in the city’s Austin neighborhood.

The RTA is the governing body that oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.

Acree, known for his advocacy on Chicago’s west side, supported Johnson in his bid for mayor, and Johnson nominated Acree to an RTA board position that pays $25,000 per year. At the city’s transportation committee meeting on May 8, Acree admitted he was caught flat-footed on various topics facing the RTA, including a more than $730 million fiscal cliff it faces starting next year.

Still, Acree’s nomination was passed by the committee 14 to 2, with the two no votes coming from Ald. Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward and Ald. Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward. At the time, they said it was because Johnson’s staff had not prepared Acree for the meeting.

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“Our city is in need of leadership with the expertise and fiscal background to deal with the issues we are facing in this Johnson Administration,” Waguespack told WGN via text message. “There was no discernable vision for public transportation laid out in the appointment process by the appointee or the 5th floor and we have yet to hear one.”

The mayor on Wednesday pulled the vote, preventing it from coming before the full council. Acree said he spoke to Johnson Thursday night.

“I think I have more value to use my time fighting for the voices like I’ve been,” Acree said Friday. “I don’t have time to put out friendly fires with people who classify themselves as allies.”

When asked, the mayor’s office on Friday had no comment about Acree’s withdrawal or why his nomination wasn’t put before the full city council for a vote.

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