Lightfoot picks veteran finance expert for city comptroller

Reshma Soni has been picked to become Chicago city comptroller by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has picked a veteran government finance expert to serve as the city’s comptroller.

Reshma Soni, currently the chief financial officer with the city’s Department of Aviation, is set to start Monday. Soni takes over from Erin Keane, who was appointed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and whose last day on the job was Friday, city officials said.

“Chicago faces significant financial challenges, meaning we must take every measure to identify efficiencies and restore the long-term financial health of our city,” Lightfoot said in a news release.

“Reshma is an accomplished leader who is ready to implement strong financial controls to ensure quality accounting and reporting practices that will protect investments in our neighborhoods and help our city government work more efficiently for all our residents.”

In addition to her work with aviation, Soni also served at comptroller for Cook County.

Reshma Soni

”As Chicago faces its share of financial challenges, I am confident in Mayor Lightfoot’s clear vision for restoring our financial health and protecting our residents,” Soni said.

Soni has a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan, city officials said.

Soni will serve as acting comptroller until the City Council votes on her appointment, officials said.