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Rahm Taps O'Hare Express Train Adviser To Be New Right-Hand Man

 A former Obama administration official, Robert Rivkin is set to become Chicago's deputy mayor.
A former Obama administration official, Robert Rivkin is set to become Chicago's deputy mayor.
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Flickr/Joselito Tagarao; Delta

CITY HALL — Mayor Rahm Emanuel named as his new deputy mayor a former Obama administration official he had earlier charged with getting plans for a high-speed rail line between Downtown and O'Hare Airport.

Robert Rivkin, 56, is set to replace Steve Koch as Emanuel's right-hand man in mid-August, the mayor's office announced Thursday.

In February, Emanuel hired Rivkin to craft a plan for the express train — and figure out a way to break ground within three years after decades on the drawing board.

“Bob has already proven himself to be an asset through his work with the city on transformational projects like the modernization of the Red and Purple CTA lines and O’Hare express rail service; his experiences and relationships with city entities and external partners will allow him to hit the ground running and continue our economic gains,” Emanuel said in a prepared statement.

In June, city officials said they were working with Tesla founder Elon Musk to explore the possibility of build a nonstop underground rail line from the airport to Downtown.

Rivkin said he was deeply honored by Emanuel's selection.

“I look forward to working with many talented colleagues to build on their progress in making Chicago a vibrant, innovative and uniquely American global city,” said Rivkin, who served as the CTA's top lawyer from 2001 to 2004 under former Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Under former President Barack Obama, Rivkin served as the Department of Transportation's top lawyer from 2009 to 2013, where he oversaw the administration's "cash for clunkers" program.

After leaving the federal government, Rivkin worked for Delta Airlines as a senior vice president and general counsel. Rivkin will earn $185,004 annually as deputy mayor, the same as Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp, who joined the mayor's office in a newly created position as the city's second deputy mayor in May 2016.

Koch will leave the mayor's office after five years and will be "sorely missed" after helping "the city make remarkable economic progress," Emanuel said.

Koch said he was proud of his efforts to clean up the city's "once risky and volatile balance sheet" while boosting Chicago's status as an emerging hub for technology businesses.

"This has been an extraordinary experience, and I know that Bob Rivkin will be able to seamlessly continue the progress the city has made,” said Koch, who was paid only $1 for his work at City Hall.

After leaving City Hall, Koch plans to bicycle the length of the Mississippi River to raise $1 million for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which will use that money to provide three million meals for Chicago children.