Forrest Claypool

Forrest Edward Claypool is an American politician who has held several positions in the governments of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools from July 27, 2015, until December 8, 2017. Previous offices held by Claypool include Superintendent of the Chicago Park District from 1993 to 1998, Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and President of the Chicago Transit Authority. In 2007–2008, Claypool served as a key member of Barack Obama campaign's media team, in his capacity as a longtime partner of David Axelrod. An attorney, he lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Claypool is twice married and has three children. Education and early career Born in Vandalia, Illinois in 1958, Claypool grew up in downstate in the nearby town of St. Elmo, Illinois. Claypool received his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and in 1981, graduated with a J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was editor of the school's law review. After school, Claypool worked as an attorney and served in several non-elected positions in state and county government, including deputy commissioner of the Cook County Board of Appeals and as Deputy State Treasurer. In 1984, he helped his friend David Axelrod, a Democratic political consultant, found the firm Axelrod and Associates (now AKPD Message & Media). Claypool served as the firm's managing partner until 1989 when he left to serve in the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley.