On Oct. 9, Chicago Park District CEO and General Superintendent Michael P. Kelly announced his resignation amid a controversy over sexual harassment and abuse, WGN-TV reported.
Kelly released a statement to the public and Board President Avis LaVelle that read, "Please accept this correspondence as my official letter of resignation, effective immediately, from my position as General Superintendent and CEO. It has been an honor to steward this extraordinary organization for the past ten years. It has also been an honor to serve Chicagoans as a public servant for the past 27 years. I have always had the best interests of our patrons and our employees at heart."
Earlier that day, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for Kelly's resignation.
The development occurred days after the resignation of a park district pool supervisor following abuse accusations, with Alderpersons Scott Waguespack and Michele Smith releasing a statement calling for Kelly's resignation then.
In August, the district announced it was taking disciplinary action against employees in the beaches and pools unit, according to ABC7Chicago.com . "We have taken disciplinary action against 42 employees, including now two high-level management staff. The assistant director of beaches and pools, and the beaches and pools manager were both placed on emergency suspension," Kelly said at the time.
An additional seven employees were also placed on emergency suspension pending the outcome of the OIG investigation; six others have resigned and were placed on a "do not hire" list. The remaining employees received a written reprimand, suspension, chose to resign or were terminated.
According to the park district's website, Kelly had worked for the Chicago Park District since 2003. He was previously chief operating officer, first deputy general counsel, and director of intergovernmental and community affairs.