Fahner leaving Civic Committee
Wednesday, Mar 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
The Commercial Club of Chicago announced today that Ty Fahner will step down from his role as President of the Civic Committee and Club after serving in the position for just over five years. Kelly R. Welsh will succeed Fahner as president, effective April 2017.
Fahner, a member of the Commercial Club since 1992 and a member of the Civic Committee since 1998, will remain a member of the Civic Committee.
Under Fahner’s leadership, the Civic Committee worked to address the State’s and City of Chicago’s enormous pension debt, continued to support charter schools and worked to improve school quality, while achieving sustained member growth. Through the Civic Consulting Alliance, the organization led strategic initiatives such as the Police Accountability Task Force.
“There is not a larger issue facing Illinois than our dire financial condition. Ty has addressed this challenge with incredible energy, integrity and focus,” said Civic Committee Chairman Frederick H. “Rick” Waddell. […]
Kelly Welsh is a Chicago attorney who most recently served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, from 2014 to 2017.
Prior to joining the Commerce Department, Welsh was Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Northern Trust and held the same role at Ameritech Corporation. Previously, he was Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago and began his legal career as a law clerk to a Federal Judge and then went on to practice at the law firm of Mayer Brown.
“We are thankful that an individual like Kelly Welsh has taken on this responsibility and know that he will provide a strong leadership voice to the organization,” said Waddell.
Welsh has been an active participant in civic affairs. He has served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Trustee of the University of Chicago Medical Center and the Field Museum of Natural History, and as a Board Member at Navy Pier, Inc. and the Institute of Judicial Administration at New York University Law School. Welsh received his AB cum laude from Harvard College in 1974 and his JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978.
Fahner’s main Statehouse-related contribution was pushing the General Assembly into passing what turned out to be an unconstitutional pension reform law.
Greg Hinz has more.
…Adding… Tina Sfondeles…
Fahner was paid a base salary of $408,000, with other benefits bringing his total compensation to about $450,000, according to the most recent Internal Revenue Service disclosures available.
Welsh said he’d be paid the same amount.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 1:55 pm:
Let’s not forget Ty’s civic contribution of making back door entreaties to the rating agencies to downgrade the state’s credit rating while his firm was making millions as state bond counsel.
Literally, biting the hand that fed him in a wholly unethical manner for an attorney that would cost taxpayers money. Bragged about it, too.
Don’t let the door hit you….
- RIJ - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Buh-bye, Ty Ty. Don’t let the door…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:17 pm:
Guy gets paid the salary of 6 or 8 teachers in order to rail against their having good salaries and benefits.
Good work if you can get it.
- Blue Bayou - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
My comment at 2:17, FWIW.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
Undoubtedly one of Rauner’s mentors.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Ty Fahner? THIS Ty Fahner?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHV2Gte4aWw
Didn’t his group wage an arm-twisting “Illinois is Broke” advertising campaign, plastering it all over billboards and the airwaves in a plot to drive down bond ratings?
THAT Ty Fahner? Good job!
Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry……don’t let the screen door hit ya on the way out.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
What has the Civic Committee done that is worthwhile?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
Well said Word!
- dr. reason a, goodwin - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
I had no idea the Civic Committee gig paid like that.
- z - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Those bucks and he complains about state worker’s pay?
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
Kelly Welsh is a smart, genuinely nice guy. I hope tha job doesn’t mess him up.
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- Workin' - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
This is a huge win for the Civic Committee. In my view, a big step up as well. Kelly could have done anything he wanted. That he chose this is a sign of his character.
- Guess Again - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
Good riddance. Please take the rest of your hypocrite organization with you.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 4:48 pm:
Ty will take over the Rauner re-election campaign.
- Liberty - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 4:56 pm:
His unelected seat was a sham.
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 5:33 pm:
Ty was a straight shooter one-on-one. One clearly knew whether to agree or disagree with his proposals right up front. The numbers that came along with them were reality-based, and arithmetically correct. That is so rare in our political environment, and so valuable.
- AnonymousOne - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 6:16 pm:
Ah, the critically important and vital job of Ty—–so much more of a societal contributor than any of those teachers he whines about. $450,000. Yep, those are usually the ones. I believe they are called bullies.
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 6:41 pm:
Now he can devote himself full time to finding out what really happened with that Tylenol thing…
- Rough Rider - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 6:43 pm:
They did not get their money’s worth. Are they a nfp?
- Morty - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 7:01 pm:
Bye Ty and your lies
Your leaving won´t make me cry
Dry eyes for Ty
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Mar 1, 17 @ 7:09 pm:
Two great minds, Word. That was my response EXACTLY.