Posted by Hal Dardick at 12:42 p.m.
Aldermen today approved Mayor Richard Daley’s selection of a Chicago ophthalmologist and philanthropist for the Chicago Park District board.
Dr. Bryan Traubert, who’s married to wealthy prominent Chicagoan Penny Pritzker, now will be considered by fellow park commissioners as their new chairman, though that’s considered a formality.
Traubert,
55, is poised to replace Gery Chico, a
longtime Daley troubleshooter who’s been tapped to lead the City
Colleges of Chicago board. Traubert is on the Noble Street Charter
Schools board. And he’s chairman of Marwen, an organization that
provides art instruction and college counseling to Chicago Public
Schools students.
He also chairs Chicago Run, which coordinates
fitness programs for CPS students. Traubert recently told the Tribune he thinks it’s that
dedication to getting children in shape — rather than his connection
to the Pritzker family — that put him on the mayor’s radar. Pritzker
served as national finance chair for President Barack
Obama’s successful 2008 campaign.