Desiree Rogers Chosen For Rahm Emanuel's Inaugural Committee

Desiree Rogers Will Help Plan Rahm's Inauguration

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers has been named a co-chair of the Chicago 2011 Inaugural Committee.

The committee, chosen by Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel, Treasurer Stephanie Neely and City Clerk-elect Susana Mendoza, will "organize the inauguration of Chicago's three city-wide elected officials and coordinate with members of the City Council as they prepare to begin their terms," according to a press release.

Rogers, who stepped down from her Obama Administration job following the 2009 White House state dinner gatecrasher debacle, returned to Chicago and joined Johnson Publishing as a consultant last summer, and in August was named CEO of the company.

Rogers was involved in Emanuel's mayoral campaign early on. She organized a House of Blues fundraiser for the then-candidate starring Jennifer Hudson, which was estimated to have raised about $100,000 for his campaign.

Rogers will join six others on the committee, including Melinda Kelly of the Chatham Business Association; Eric Lefkofsky of LightBank venture fund; Valor CEO Antonio Gracias; David Herro of Harris Associates; Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli and former Lincoln Park Zoo director Tim Mullen.

According to a press release from the Emanuel campaign, the inaugural events for the mayor, treasurer and clerk will be held jointly, and will be "open and accessible to all Chicagoans."

Emanuel announced his transition team last week. One of those chosen, former executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education Judy Erwin, has already stepped down due to ethics violations at her previous job.

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