Chicago is losing the quarterback of its response to the migrant crisis at a time when the incoming Trump administration has threatened to make Chicago ground zero for mass deportations.
Brandie Knazze is stepping down as commissioner of the city’s Department of Family and Support Services, effective Dec. 31. After four years in the pressure cooker job, she is moving to the lower-stress non-profit world, although she refused to say which one.
Knazze stressed that the decision to leave is hers alone. Although the timing for Chicago and embattled Mayor Brandon Johnson is not great, Knazze stressed that she is not leaving because of any policy disagreement with the mayor.
“I have covered every major crisis the city has had since 2017…I have helped so many people. I helped with the recovery plan from COVID. I have helped with the migrant crisis. I did the [city’s response to] civil unrest. I’ve done great work. I’m proud of the work that I did for Mayor Emanuel, Mayor Lightfoot and Mayor Johnson,” Knazze said.
“I’m on call 24/7. There’s always something going on. I have to think about my own health, my personal life. My family. You can’t give to others [forever]. You have to think about what’s next for myself and my own career journey.”
Knazze said there is “never a good time when good employees leave.” But she flatly denied that her departure just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 leaves Chicago in the lurch.
“I have gotten them through the migrant crisis. We are merging the one [shelter] system. We have expanded a significant part of our COVID dollars. We have launched new programs. I have shown new programs can be successful,” Knazze said.
“It’s not bad timing for Chicago. This is a good time because now, the team can go on to their next journey. And they are well-positioned to do so. I built an amazing team…When you build a good team, it doesn’t matter who’s at the top.”