Mayor Brandon Johnson’s business affairs chief stepping down

August 31, 2026 - 20:19

Ivan Capifali, the commissioner of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, is leaving his post. He informed his staff of the decision during an internal meeting on Monday, according to two people with direct knowledge of the move.

Capifali has held the role since early in the Johnson administration, overseeing licensing, consumer complaints, and enforcement across thousands of Chicago businesses. His departure adds to a steady stream of high-level exits from the mayor's team over the past year, raising fresh questions about stability inside City Hall.

The commissioner did not give a specific reason for stepping down in his remarks to employees, sources said. No effective date for his last day has been announced, and it remains unclear who will take over the department on an interim basis.

During his tenure, Capifali pushed for streamlined business permitting and led efforts to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops operating across the city. He also handled the rollout of new rules for delivery drivers and food trucks, which drew mixed reactions from small business owners.

His exit comes as the mayor faces mounting pressure over public safety and the city's budget. The administration has not yet issued a formal statement on the resignation, but insiders expect a replacement to be named within weeks.

For now, staff at the department have been told to continue normal operations. Capifali's next move has not been disclosed, though sources say he is weighing options in the private sector.