April 13--After many years at City Hall, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's chief of staff is calling it quits.
On Monday, Lisa Schrader confirmed in an email that she is leaving her government job in late May to pursue undetermined opportunities in the private sector.
"After devoting 14 years of service to the city, I am eager to begin a new chapter," she wrote.
About two years ago, Schrader replaced Theresa Mintle, Emanuel's first chief of staff. Schrader was named chief operating officer when Emanuel took office in May 2011.
"I understand Lisa's desire to look for private sector opportunities," Emanuel said in a statement. "And while I am sorry to see her move on, I reminded her that I still have her cellphone number."
Schrader, 43, was first hired as a spokeswoman during Mayor Richard M. Daley's tenure. By the time Daley left office, she had worked her way up to deputy chief of staff.
By City Hall standards, a two-year stint as chief of staff is about par for the course.
Schrader's departure sets up the parlor game of guessing who moves into her office. Emanuel, who won a second term in last week's runoff election, is expected to name a new chief of staff prior to his inauguration next month.
hdardick@tribpub.com
