Mayor Brandon Johnson has selected Sydney Holman as Chicago’s new Deputy Mayor of Intergovernmental Affairs, marking a significant transition in city leadership. The announcement in November 2023 brings a seasoned public servant with extensive state and county government experience to the helm of Chicago’s legislative initiatives.
In her new position, Holman will spearhead Mayor Johnson’s legislative agenda across city, state, and federal levels. Her appointment is crucial as Chicago addresses complex urban challenges requiring coordinated governmental action. Mayor Johnson expressed confidence in Holman’s capabilities, highlighting her broad experience and skill in building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
“Holman’s expertise will be instrumental as we confront our city’s most pressing issues,” Mayor Johnson noted in his announcement. He emphasized her ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue and craft solutions that serve Chicago’s diverse communities while satisfying multiple governmental interests.
The transition follows Beth Beatty’s tenure, during which several landmark pieces of legislation were enacted. These achievements included the passage of One Fair Wage legislation, the Bring Chicago Home initiative, and new Paid Leave provisions. Beatty’s final contribution involved shepherding the city’s annual budget to approval, establishing a solid foundation for her successor.
Holman brings substantial legislative and policy experience to her new role. Her recent position at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies involved developing legislative strategies and policy advocacy across multiple sectors. Before this, she served in Governor JB Pritzker’s administration as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and House Liaison of Legislative Affairs, where she successfully advanced progressive initiatives spanning pension reform, business development, gaming regulation, educational enhancement, and healthcare accessibility.
Her governmental experience extends to Cook County, where she coordinated state legislative affairs for the Office of the President of the County Board. Her background also includes service as a research and appropriations analyst in the Illinois House of Representatives Speaker’s Office, which provided her with comprehensive insight into legislative processes at multiple governmental levels.
In accepting this pivotal role, Holman expressed her commitment to advancing transformative legislation benefiting Chicago’s working families. “My primary focus will be collaborating with the City Council and various governmental bodies to create meaningful change for Chicago’s residents,” Holman stated, emphasizing her dedication to implementing Mayor Johnson’s ambitious legislative agenda.
Holman’s educational background combines creative and business disciplines. She received an undergraduate degree from Columbia College Chicago and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This diverse educational foundation complements her extensive practical experience in government affairs.
The appointment represents Mayor Johnson’s continued effort to build a solid administrative team that addresses Chicago’s complex challenges. Holman’s selection demonstrates the administration’s focus on experienced leadership with a proven ability to navigate multiple levels of government while maintaining strong community connections.
As Chicago faces evolving urban challenges, Holman’s role will be crucial in coordinating legislative responses and building effective partnerships across governmental bodies. Her appointment signals the Johnson administration’s commitment to experienced leadership in pursuing progressive policy objectives for Chicago’s residents.
This leadership transition comes as Chicago implements several major policy initiatives, positioning Holman to play a key role in shaping the city’s legislative future and advancing Mayor Johnson’s vision for community-focused governance.