Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced the appointment of Cole Stallard to serve as action commissioner of the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation following the retirement of Comm. John Tully, who led the department since 2018 and spent 25 years previously working at the streets and sanitation department. Stallard has served as deputy commissioner since 2014. Thursday was his first day as commissioner. 

Lightfoot also announced the launch of five “Community Engagement Councils,” which she said will “ensure the Mayor’s Office gains a deeper understanding of the rich histories and community needs and continue the work to eliminate barriers facing immigrant groups that live and work in the city.” The councils respectively focus on African and Caribbean immigrants; Asian American and Pacific Islanders; Eastern Europeans; Middle Eastern, North African, and Near East; and Polish Americans.