April 22, 2016

Mayor Emanuel Names Erin Keane Acting City Comptroller

Keane Joins Budget Director Alex Holt and Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown as City Continues to Improve Long-Term Financial Stability and Address Pension Funding Challenges

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today named Erin Keane as the new acting City Comptroller managing the City of Chicago’s Department of Finance (DOF) and will submit her nomination to City Council in May. Keane will replace Dan Widawsky, who has served as Comptroller since January 2014 and is stepping down to pursue other professional endeavors.

“With Erin’s nomination, the City’s many budget and financial initiatives will now be led by three exceptional women. Erin’s extensive knowledge of City operations, budget and finances will be central to our ongoing work to right the City’s finances,” said Mayor Emanuel. “During Dan’s tenure, he helped my Administration develop number of financial reforms which produced significant savings, and I thank him for his service to the City.”

As City Comptroller, Widawsky worked with labor leaders and other stakeholders to introduce over $20 million in employee healthcare cost savings along with enhancing data analytics within DOF to improve operational efficiencies on behalf of taxpayers.

Keane is currently the First Deputy Comptroller in DOF where she oversees day to day operations within the Department, which includes preparation of the City’s financial statements, administration of federal and state grants, enforcement and collection of City revenue, and management of the City’s payroll and healthcare plans. Keane has worked for the City for over 15 years in critical financial and management roles at multiple departments from the Office of Budget and Management to the Department of Streets and Sanitation. She lives in the Beverly neighborhood and is the mother of two young boys.

“The City has made great strides under Mayor Emanuel to address Chicago’s financial challenges,” said Keane. “I am truly humbled by the Mayor’s confidence in me, and if confirmed by City Council, I look forward to joining CFO Brown and Budget Director Holt in continuing to strengthen the City’s finances and building on the many operational efficiencies and cost savings introduced by Comptroller Widawsky.”

Keane’s appointment is subject to City Council approval, and she will begin serving as acting City Comptroller upon Widawsky’s departure on May 1.

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