“Commissioner Karen Tamley’s visionary leadership has significantly improved accessibility throughout Chicago for residents and visitors with disabilities. The results of her unwavering advocacy can be found at our train stations, bus stops and intersections, as well as in our housing policies, public services, employees' rights and minimum wage laws. Her tenure with the City spanned three mayors and over 14 years. Karen's counsel, bold ideas and ability to achieve lasting progress made anyone who worked with her better—including me. Most importantly, thanks to her more Chicagoans today will live independent lives, which is the greatest testament to her service.

Though we will miss her at City Hall, Karen's impact will continue to shape our communities for generations to come, and strengthen inclusion and equity throughout our city. Indeed, it is her values that we will strive to represent as we seek the next individual to lead the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). While we launch a national search for the next Commissioner of MOPD immediately, we are grateful to Laurie Dittman, who has served as Senior Policy Analyst since 2000, for stepping in to lead the department in the interim. We wish Karen and her family nothing but the best as she embarks on this new chapter in her remarkable career.”