Jamie L. Rhee serves as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), overseeing one of the world’s busiest airport systems, which includes O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Together, Chicago’s airports welcomed nearly 96 million visitors in 2023.

With over 30 years of experience working for the City of Chicago, Rhee’s career reflects her deep commitment to public service and her extensive expertise in aviation and government operations.

Rhee's journey in aviation began humbly as a Customer Service Foreign Language Assistant at O’Hare International Airport while she pursued her law degree at night. Rhee authored “Rational And Constitutional Approaches To Airline Safety In The Face Of Terrorist Threats” which was featured in the DePaul Law Review, 2000-04, Vol.49. Her early career saw her taking on roles in the City’s Planning and Development Department and the Department of Law. She then returned to the CDA as General Counsel for the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP), where she was instrumental in transforming O’Hare’s airfield from an intersecting runway system to a parallel (east-west) runway configuration. This monumental shift not only modernized the airport but also resulted in a 66% reduction in system impact delays and created an estimated 34,000 jobs. Rhee’s leadership ensured that $970 million of the OMP’s contracts — 31% of the total program — were awarded to minority-, disadvantaged-, and woman-owned businesses.

In 2018, Rhee was appointed Commissioner of the CDA, bringing with her a profound understanding of how diversity and inclusion initiatives can drive meaningful change in airport operations. Under her leadership, both O’Hare and Midway Airports have undergone unprecedented transformations. At O’Hare, Rhee spearheaded the $1.3 billion expansion of Terminal 5, completed in January 2023, marking the largest terminal project at the airport in 30 years. She is also leading the development of the O’Hare Terminal Area Plan, which includes the construction of a new Global Terminal to replace Terminal 2, two new satellite concourses, and a Consolidated Tunnel to connect these facilities that will enhance passenger, baggage, and utility flow throughout the airport. And Rhee is overseeing the $300 million ElevateT3 development, a modernization program for Terminal 3 that was awarded the largest single competitive airport grant from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for two straight years.

At Midway, Rhee oversaw the completion of the Midway Modernization Program (MMP), the airport’s most comprehensive capital improvement project in over 20 years. The program included a significant expansion of the passenger security checkpoint, a new inline baggage handling system, and improvements to the parking structure. Notably, the MMP achieved one of the nation’s highest Airport Concessions DBE participation rates at 56%. In 2023, the program culminated with the grand reopening of the Central Market, the centerpiece of a $75 million investment in Midway’s concessions.

Beyond her operational achievements, Rhee is a staunch advocate for equity and inclusion. She has broadened the reach of certified and community-based Assist Agencies to connect more residents and businesses from Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods to opportunities at the airports. Her initiatives include partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago to engage young people in aviation-related curriculum and sponsoring the One Summer Chicago interns program, which provides high school students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in the field of aviation.

Rhee’s dedication to accountability in government is reflected in the development of a Code of Conduct for the Chicago airport community, outlining principles and standards for everyone working for and with the CDA. Her leadership extends beyond Chicago as she serves on 11 aviation industry boards, including her role as Vice Chair of the Airports Council International–North America (ACI-NA) Executive Committee.

A native of Geneseo, Illinois, Rhee earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University where she was selected for Law Review membership her first year. Jamie, her husband Mike and her daughter Jazelle are proud residents of Chicago’s Humboldt Park community area, and they both cherish the neighborhood’s supportive community, rich history, and beautiful parks.