One of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s closest confidants, who served as his communications chief through both his mayoral campaign and tenure in office, is leaving, effective immediately, according to a mayor’s office spokesperson.
It is unclear why Ronnie Reese is stepping down as communications director. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deputy Press Secretary Erin Connelly will serve as acting communications director in Reese’s place. Connelly confirmed to WBEZ that Reese no longer is with the mayor’s office, but wouldn’t say whether Reese resigned or was fired. Representatives with the city’s Human Resources department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“I will be running the press office moving forward,” Connelly said. “I’m really honored to take over this role.”
Connelly previously consulted on numerous political campaigns, including for U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters, and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Reese was a deputy press secretary at the Chicago Teachers Union for more than a decade before running communications for Johnson’s mayoral bid.
Under Reese’s helm, the mayor’s press office experienced rapid turnover in Johnson’s first year-and-a-half in office. The press office went without an official communications director for nearly a year until Reese was officially named to the role in March. His annual salary was $189,324.
Some former press office staffers complained of mistreatment under Reese, including being yelled at by senior leadership, having job responsibilities diminish and experiencing conflict for previously working under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Reese referred three former press office staffers to be placed on the city’s do-not-hire list, usually reserved for cases of extreme misconduct. Ald. Matt Martin (47th), chairman of the City Council’s Ethics Committee, called for hearings on the mayor’s office’s use of the list.
Reese was also named in a former staffer’s complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights alleging harassment and retaliation. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Rights said last week the case is pending.
The mayor’s office previously said they “wholeheartedly reject all claims of hostility.”
Reese’s departure marks the second attempt at a reset in the mayor’s communication strategy. In March, Johnson brought on a new senior aide, Joe Calvello, previously communications director for U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).
That’s when Johnson named Reese to the permanent communications director role as well. Calvello’s hiring came after complaints of a lack of media availability and of Johnson failing to answer questions directly. The changes — both appointing Reese permanently to the role and bringing on Calvello — appeared to make a difference, with Johnson taking media questions more often and answering those questions a bit more directly.
Reese’s exit comes after several high-profile departures from Johnson’s top leadership.
Deputy Mayor for Education, Youth and Human Services Jen Johnson told WBEZ she is taking a leave of absence due to health and personal issues. Johnson was recently involved in the mayor’s replacement of the entire Chicago Public Schools Board of Education. Before joining the administration, she had served as chief of staff at the Chicago Teachers Union.
Several leaders on Johnson’s intergovernmental affairs team, which will be key during the upcoming budget negotiations with alderpersons, also recently left the administration. Johnson’s first chief of staff, City Hall mainstay Rich Guidice, departed earlier this year and was replaced by Johnson’s former first deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas.
Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg cover Chicago politics for WBEZ.