October 27, 2005

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Mayor Daley's revolving door took another turn Wednesday -- this time carrying $149,364-a-year Aviation Commissioner John Roberson, whose name turned up on a list of cooperating witnesses in the federal investigation of City Hall corruption.

Roberson becomes the 15th Daley cabinet member to leave or be shown the door in recent months in a housecleaning triggered by the Hired Truck, city hiring and minority contracting scandals.

City Hall recently installed a new managing deputy under Roberson. That's typically the way the message is delivered that it's time to dust off your resume.

But Daley and Roberson insisted that the resignation was voluntary -- and had nothing to do with the fact that Roberson is one of 30 present or former government officials cooperating in the investigation of what federal prosecutors have called a "massive fraud" in city hiring. "He wasn't frozen out or frozen in," Daley said.

Roberson said his relationship with the mayor "didn't change at all" after the list of cooperating witnesses was circulated at City Hall.

"I don't know who it may have been uncomfortable for. It wasn't uncomfortable for me. I came to work every day. You can't freeze out the airport or the person who runs the airport. It's too critical to our economy," Roberson said.

After holding seven government jobs in 10 years at three different agencies, Roberson said he got a private sector offer he simply could not refuse. On Dec. 1, he'll become president and CEO of the Target Group, a management consulting company that specializes in work force diversity. "I'm leaving because I have been presented a great opportunity to fulfill a dream that I have of running a company," Roberson said.

Daley added, "He wants to go in the private sector. He's always wanted to go. . . . He's been here for quite a number of years in public service. About two years ago, two-and-a-half years ago, I asked him to stay, to be very frank. And he stayed."

A perennial city contractor, the Target Group has a contract with the Department of Aviation for minority and women's business enterprise monitoring on airport concessions at a time several high-profile concessionaires have been accused of minority business fraud. They include O'Brien's Restaurants, the clout-heavy Rand brothers and Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a chief fund-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich. "Once the contract ends on Monday, there won't be a conflict," Roberson said.

Roberson, 36, was once one of City Hall's fastest-rising stars. His whirlwind career has featured stints as: Park District purchasing manager; assistant to the mayor; chief of development for the CHA; commissioner of Sewers, Buildings and Aviation, and executive director of Construction and Permits.

Brusque style offended some

During 19 months as aviation commissioner, Roberson pushed through a controversial airport Wi-Fi contract and was forced to find replacements for several concessionaires accused of minority contract fraud.

Roberson's brusque management style offended at least one top deputy. And he stirred controversy by promising to clean the toilets himself and privatizing custodial services at two of three O'Hare terminals.

"I wanted the bathrooms to be cleaner, and I can honestly say that our facilities are much cleaner and much better than when I came in. Attendance rates are up. Is it perfect? No. But, it's greatly improved," Roberson said.

As for the run-in with his top deputy, Roberson said, "When I articulate my expectations, I do it in a way I'm sure they understand and know they have to deliver results. I don't make apologies for that. I do that with everybody."

Daley said he has not decided on a replacement for Roberson. Possible replacements include: Erin O'Donnell, managing deputy at Midway Airport; Illinois Transportation Secretary Tim Martin, and Jack Hartman, executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

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