Login>
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • sign up today!

Former RTA Board Chair Gates honored with City Club Award for Excellence

Former Regional Transportation Authority Board Chairman John Gates, Jr. received the City Club of Chicago’s Award for Excellence in Public Service on Thursday.

Gates stepped down as chair of the RTA in June after four years with the agency. The businessman entered public service five years ago after selling a real estate investment firm he co-founded. He now serves as CEO of the PortaeCo investment firm and as a board member of various civic and charitable organizations.

“One of the great things about living in Illinois is [there is] no lack of problems to solve. I’ve had many challenges and been thrilled with all that Illinois has put in front of me,” Gates said. “Going forward, I think we all know some of the problems are even more intractable and I suspect that all of us will have an opportunity to participate in their solution.”

Gates got his start as a staffer with former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson. The CenterPoint real estate investment firm he co-founded was sold to the California Public Employees Retirement System and Jones Lang LaSalle for about $3.5 billion in 2006. He then served as chair of the board and finance committee of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority from 2009 to 2010, according to this LinkedIn profile.

“I’m very honored … to have been able to help out at the RTA and McPier and look forward to staying involved in civic issues moving forward,” Gates told the Daily Whale on Thursday.

-Tom Butala