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* From a press release…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel today appointed Michael Rendina to be the City’s new Director of Legislative Counsel and Government Affairs (LCGA), a key office that serves as liaison with elected officials, government agencies and community organizations at the at the local, state and federal levels.
“Mike’s career as a fierce advocate for Chicagoans and his relationships in Springfield and City Council make him the perfect addition to our team,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I have had the pleasure of working with Mike for the past three years, and can’t think of a better person to lead our legislative and labor relations team as we continue our work to promote Chicago priorities.”
Rendina has served as the Chief Officer of Public and External Affairs at Chicago Public Schools for the past three years. Prior to his government service, he served in various roles on candidate and issue campaigns in Illinois and nationally. He was raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and earned his bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Politics from George Washington University in Washington D.C., where he also received his M.A. in Political Management. He lives in Lakeview with his wife and two children.
Sean Rapelyea has been promoted to Deputy Director of LCGA, filling the role of Micheal Ruemmler who recently left city government to serve as Campaign Manager for Mayor Emanuel’s reelection campaign. Rapelyea, who has served as a key liaison to the City Council since Mayor Emanuel took office, will now oversee the implementation of the Mayor’s legislative agenda, serve as point of contact for the appointed boards and commissions, and continue to work with City Council members as their liaison to City departments and sister agencies. Rapelyea grew up in the Baltimore, MD area and currently lives in Hyde Park.
Rendina replaces Matt Hynes, Dan Hynes’ brother. Rendina ran Hynes’ 2010 Democratic primary campaign against Pat Quinn. I’ve always had a lot of respect for him.
Hynes and Ruemmler both did good jobs for the mayor, passing huge pieces of legislation in Springfield. Yeah, there were mistakes, but there are always mistakes.
* Hynes, by the way, sat down for a recent interview with the Sun-Times…
Q: What did you learn from your father that helped you do this job?
A: I learned a lot about how to treat people and listen to what they have to say. If you can’t use what they suggest, let them understand why you’re doing something differently. He had a very good style that I’ve always tried to incorporate. To do this job, you don’t always have to be a jerk. You don’t have to be a tyrant. You can be professional and work with people in a way that makes people want to work with you. You get better results that way.
Q: That’s a style that’s a lot different from Rahm Emanuel’s cartoon image anyway.
A: Yeah, but his style is so collaborative. People do not give him credit for how he really is. He’s very accessible, open to other ideas. He always wants to get people to a mutual agreement. That’s why it’s fun to work for him. It makes my job a lot easier.
Um, OK, if you say so.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 2:59 pm
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When Rahm is gone, I wonder if Dan Hynes would want to jump back into politics by running for mayor.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:20 pm
Rahm is a misunderstood idealist.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:23 pm
Take out the words “cartoon image” and both sides of the interview could have been penned by Rahm himself.
Comment by The Prince Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:25 pm
Matt Hynes is a solid guy who stayed under the radar, did his work with a light under a bushel, and accomplished many good things for his boss. I hope he has a successful post-5th-Floor career (actually it’s the 4th floor, but you get the idea).
Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:41 pm
=== Q: That’s a style that’s a lot different from Rahm Emanuel’s cartoon image anyway.
A: Yeah, but his style is so collaborative. …
Um, OK, if you say so. ===
This clearly shows that Hynes learned his lessons well. Never burn your bridges. Especially, if that involves someone of Emanuel’s temperament.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:41 pm
Smart guy, good choice.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 3:44 pm
Rendina is a great guy. I’m sure he’ll be great in his new position.
Comment by Estubborn Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 4:01 pm
Congrats to Mike Rendina, well deserved.
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 4:14 pm
Leaving “to reconnect with his young family.” That sounds a lot like “he’s stepping down to spend more time with his family.” Ie., he got the ax.
Comment by Toto Riina Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 4:19 pm
I doubt if any problems Emanuel has had in Springfield were due to his peeps. Emanuel creates his own problems in playing nice with others.
Sure took him a while to figure out that Quinn controlled a lot more money than him and had a veto pen, to boot.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 4:25 pm
=== Ie., he got the ax. ===
LOL
No. He was promoted to the campaign.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 5:09 pm
I’ve known both Hynes brothers for years and both Matt and Dan have always been good listeners. Better yet, they showed that they also cared about you as a person. Certainly traits from their father. Good luck to your future endeavor Matt!
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 18, 14 @ 6:47 pm
Dude, another one right out of central casting!
It is all about Hollywood appearances after all don’t ya know.
Comment by oz Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 7:56 am
Rich - He’s going to work for a certain politically-connected investment firm.
Comment by Toto Riina Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 8:44 am
—–Yeah, but his style is so collaborative. People do not give him credit for how he really is. He’s very accessible, open to other ideas. He always wants to get people to a mutual agreement. That’s why it’s fun to work for him. It makes my job a lot easier.—–
Yeah, ummm, ‘collaborative’, ‘mutual agreement’, ‘open’, ‘accessible’, ‘fun’….those certainly are ‘interesting’ adjectives, aren’t they?
Comment by I B Strapped Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 9:00 am
Really not sure how much more of this swill I can take.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 11:14 am
oz said:
“Dude, another one right out of central casting! It is all about Hollywood appearances after all don’t ya know.”
Yes. If there were a way to fill every position in his administration with Jonah from Veep, that’s who would be running the city.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Jun 19, 14 @ 11:20 am