Rev. Ira Acree, nominated by Mayor Brandon Johnson to serve on the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board, has withdrawn his nomination. Acree, a pastor, faced criticism for his lack of transit experience, which he attributed to opponents of African American empowerment. His decision to withdraw comes a day after Mayor Johnson delayed a vote on his appointment. Acree expressed frustration with the scrutiny he faced, stating that he could better use his time as a civil rights leader and pastor. He also criticized Alderman Vasquez and referred to questions about the CTA President's future as 'political puppeteering.' Acree cited a lack of 'allies' and aldermanic resistance during his confirmation hearing earlier this month. The position was a 25k/year appointment.
Ira Acree, Mayor Johnson's nominee to the RTA board, withdrew his candidacy for the position, calling his critics “opponents of African-American empowerment.” https://t.co/0akQ5tFeBY
The Rev. Ira Acree, who was selected by Mayor Brandon Johnson to serve on the RTA board, announced he is no longer seeking that seat due to aldermanic resistance that began during his confirmation hearing earlier this month. https://t.co/OXZ03Fxjxa
It is unfortunate that the Reverend Acree was put in this position by the Johnson administration not prepping him and then taking his appointment off of the Council agenda this week. Two no votes in a committee didn’t do that.
Mayor Brandon Johnson's pick to serve on the board of the Regional Transportation Authority has withdrawn his nomination. https://t.co/GKSArEXRBV
Rev. Ira Acree, Mayor Brandon Johnson's pick for transit board, withdraws from nomination https://t.co/KpWJhiuG4X https://t.co/hne7XgpSIb
Citing lack of ‘allies,’ mayor’s nominee to RTA board withdraws from consideration https://t.co/DMWUG5Rae3
Johnson RTA board nominee, Rev. Ira Acree, withdraws name from consideration https://t.co/hD0NCsgVu8
A pastor criticized for no transit experience has withdrawn from his RTA board nomination. https://t.co/SLl267OSpy https://t.co/sotjGaaoup
Rev. Acree pulled no punches on his way out of a 25k/year appointment to an influential transit board. He called questions about CTA President's future “political puppeteering” and slammed Ald. Vasquez, saying his “previous job was a local rapper.” https://t.co/5LJDQWMPyu
Mayor’s controversial RTA board nominee withdraws from consideration https://t.co/rmisqTKblF
RTA board nominee Rev. Ira Acree, withdraws name from consideration. “These people, they mince every word you say, everything you do. I don’t need that. I can find a better use of my time as a civil rights leader and as a pastor.” @JakeSheridan_ reports https://t.co/LJXlhyN8dq
Rev. Ira Acree is withdrawing his name for a board seat with the Regional Transportation Authority. That's a day after Mayor Johnson delayed a vote on his appointment. Acree said critics of his lack of transit experience are "opponents of African American empowerment."
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson's RTA Board nominee Rev. Ira Acree is withdrawing himself from consideration. He told me the people who labeled him unqualified are "enemies of African American advancement and empowerment." For @chicagotribune: https://t.co/KMecydInjp
Ira Acree is holding a press conference soon about his stalled RTA appointment. In statement he accused City Council critics as “opponents of African American progress” 😬 https://t.co/djsddWZI0P
UPDATE: The nomination of Rev. Ira Acree to the RTA board was withheld today — no vote. Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration asked for the nomination to be held. For now, Acree will not be appointed. A vote on his appointment could come at a later City Council meeting. https://t.co/TSlgbzgX4u