Chicago

Chicago's Deputy Aviation Commissioner Forced Out of Post

Manzano did not returns multiple calls to request comment from NBC 5

The deputy commissioner for Chicago's Aviation Department has been forced out of his post, officials confirmed Thursday, a day after reports he received a five-day suspension.

"Mr. Manzano no longer works for the Chicago Department of Aviation," a department spokesperson said. "We do not comment on personnel matters."

NBC 5 first revealed in May that Juan Manzano, the point person for the city's concessions at O'Hare and Midway airports, faced five complaints of harassment and bullying from male and female aviation employees.

The allegations of threatening behavior surfaced days after Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveiled a new anti-harassment campaign tied to the #MeToo movement.


After NBC 5's initial report on Manzano, Emanuel vowed to enact consequences if the claims were verified.

"Zero tolerance," Emanuel said, "for any environment that’s created by anybody in authority that is a hostile environment. Zero tolerance. It will be looked at, investigated, and if that’s true, there will be consequences."

Earlier this week, NBC 5 learned from multiple sources that Manzano had been given a five-day suspension.

Besides this investigation, some have questioned Manzano's concessions role and the renovation of restaurant choices at Midway Airport. There have been numerous complaints as popular choices like McDonald's and Potbelly were not given renewed contracts.

Manzano did not returns multiple calls to request comment from NBC 5.

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