Lori Healey, a powerhouse behind some of Chicago’s most ambitious civic projects and a key figure in both public service and private enterprise, has died at the age of 65. Her family confirmed she passed away Saturday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Healey’s career was marked by a remarkable ability to move seamlessly between government leadership and large-scale development, leaving a lasting imprint on the city she helped shape. She served as chief of staff to former Mayor Richard M. Daley, led the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier), and most recently managed the development of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.
“Our mother was someone who was fiercely loyal not just to us, but to her friends, mentees, and those who entrusted her to lead,” her family shared in a heartfelt statement. “Her career was filled with extraordinary accomplishments that will help define her legacy. So many knew her as a transformative force in public service, city planning, and civic development, but to us, her most meaningful role was as our mom.”
Healey’s professional résumé reflected her wide-ranging influence. In addition to serving in Daley’s administration, she was the CEO of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid committee and played a critical role in organizing the 2012 NATO and G-8 summits held in the city. She also served as commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, where her vision and collaborative leadership guided key urban development initiatives.
Former Mayor Daley remembered Healey not only as a trusted adviser, but also as a close personal friend.
“Lori was a brilliant leader whose tireless spirit and unwavering dedication set her apart,” Daley said in a statement. “From major civic developments to international events, Lori’s clarity of vision and gift for collaboration made her an essential force in our city’s most important achievements. She was so much more than a colleague — she was like family. Her passing is a profound loss for me personally and for so many others in our great city who continue to feel the impact of her extraordinary life.”
Widely regarded as a mentor to many rising leaders in city government and beyond, Healey was celebrated for her intellect, poise, and steadfast commitment to progress. She consistently used her platform to elevate others, particularly women in public service and development sectors.
Lori Healey’s legacy lives on in the skyline she helped shape, the institutions she strengthened, and the generations of civic leaders she inspired. Her contributions to Chicago’s civic life will be felt for decades to come.