Patrick Murphey takes over as acting Planning and Development commissioner

Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development has a new leader, at least in the interim, to replace former Commissioner Maurice Cox.

Longtime department staffer Patrick Murphey was selected to lead the agency, Crain’s reported, citing a city letter. The appointment comes in the wake of Cox’s resignation, effective immediately.

Murphey, 47, a familiar face in Chicago’s real estate policy circles, began with the city’s DPD as an intern in 2000 before completing a master’s degree in urban planning at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2002. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, gaining extensive knowledge of the city’s zoning code and review process.

In his new role as acting commissioner, Murphey will bring two decades of experience to bear on the city’s planning and development landscape.

Cox, an architect celebrated for his design excellence in urban planning, had faced criticism for his strict design standards, which some believed hindered the timely completion of projects. Still, with achievements such as the city in 2021 overhauling affordable housing rules under his tenure, Cox’s departure marks a significant transition in the DPD’s leadership.

Murphey’s knowledge of Chicago’s real estate scene and history of reviewing prominent developers make him a candidate to potentially streamline the city’s zoning review and development approval procedures.

While Murphey assumes the role of acting commissioner, it remains uncertain whether Mayor Brandon Johnson will continue the search for a permanent commissioner. The city had been abuzz with anticipation regarding Johnson’s choice for the pivotal position, with candidates such as real estate attorney Rich Klawiter and urban planning professor Teresa Córdova previously considered strong fits for the role.

As the head of the DPD, Murphey will oversee a department with a staff of 172 individuals, and he will continue to lead the zoning bureau.

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