I’ve wondered about deputy mayors for three years and almost 1,000 newsletters. So when Sydney Holman, deputy mayor of intergovernmental affairs, stepped down last week after 10 months on the job, guess whose editor finally greenlit an explainer? Here’s what to know.
What is a Deputy Mayor?
Mayors hire deputy mayors to help coordinate government divisions like community safety and education, UIC professor emeritus and former Ald. Dick Simpson said.
Simpson has been on several mayoral transition teams advising the administrations of Jane Byrne, Harold Washington, and Lori Lightfoot. He said they have almost always recommended deputy mayors.
“The number of city employees varies, but it's usually around 30,000. It’s unwieldy for the mayor to have detailed knowledge about what is happening at every unit of city government. Deputy mayors help,” Simpson said.
How Many Deputy Mayors Are There?
It depends on the administration. Lightfoot had five when she left office, and Mayor Brandon Johnson had nine in his first year, WTTW reported. Johnson’s deputy mayors make about $189,000, according to city records.
Current Vice Mayor and 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett in 2018. (Robin Marchant / Getty for car2go)
Deputy Mayor ≠ Vice Mayor
The vice mayor is the alder who would become mayor if the mayor died or resigned. When Mayor Harold Washington died, Vice Mayor and Ald. David Orr was mayor for 8 days before City Council selected Ald. Eugene Sawyer to finish out the term.
Barring disaster, the title is usually ceremonial. But when Johnson tapped 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett as vice mayor, his administration said the role would expand to include community engagement and a staff budget.
Does the Term ‘Deputy Mayor’ Matter?
The city already employs directors and managers to oversee projects and operations. So why this additional role?
“Elevating them to deputy mayors gives them more clout with the public, the press, and the department heads and city staff members. So it's a reasonable thing to call them that,” Simpson said.
