Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday said he had appointed one of his former deputies to the board of the municipal authority that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier.
Christian Mitchell, who left his post as deputy governor for Public Safety, Energy and Infrastructure last year, will join the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority’s board pending confirmation from the Illinois Senate.
As deputy governor, Mitchell was a leading strategist on the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, legislation aimed at phasing out fossil fuels and creating jobs in clean energy industries, according to the governor’s office. He also led negotiations on recreational marijuana legalization for the administration.
Mitchell previously was a member of the Illinois House, a senior adviser to Pritzker during his transition and an interim executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party. He has held campaign roles for former Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former President Barack Obama and Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
When he led the state Democratic party, Mitchell replaced Timothy Mapes, the longtime ally of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. Mitchell was the first African-American leader in the role.
The MPEA board includes five member slots appointed by the governor and five appointed by the mayor of Chicago, with a chairperson named by the board. The municipal corporation’s job is to attract economic drivers such as trade shows and conventions to Chicago. Navy Pier is run by a nonprofit corporation.
Mitchell’s board position comes with no salary and only pays expenses. He is currently vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago.