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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Steven Mahr, previously Assistant Finance Commissioner, as the city's acting chief financial officer, succeeding Jill Jaworski, who left for a position with the nonprofit managing Navy Pier. Mahr, a veteran from Stifel, moved to Chicago in 2022 and aims to incorporate empathy into the financial team's work.

He takes this role amid tensions between the mayor's administration and the City Council, which recently passed the 2026 budget. Mahr has previously supported a $1.25 billion housing and economic development bond plan under the Johnson administration. His appointment does not require approval from the City Council.