Richard Daley's former press secretary is following the old mayor to a new job.
Former City of Chicago press secretary Jackie Heard accepted a job as director of communications for Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, the same firm where Daley will be "of counsel."
The firm, which helped negotiate Chicago's controversial parking meter deal, also hired on Daley's former deputy press secretary. Jodi Kawada will take over as Katten's manager of communications.
“[Heard] and Jodi are a talented team and, as a result, have had many opportunities to join large companies and traditional public relations firms,” said Vince Sergi, Katten’s national managing partner, in a statement.
Sergi said the firm "wasted no time reaching out to them."
Heard and Kawada will provide public relations guidance to Katten's lawyers in six cities and advise clients on Katten's PR and media requirements.
“My work in City government was both gratifying and invaluable," Heard said in a statement. "It allowed me to draw on my 10 years of experience as a reporter and develop an extensive understanding of national and international media and marketing.”
Heard was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune before working for Mayor Daley for 14 years.
