Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed three new commissioners and elevated the commissioner of the environment department to deputy chief of staff.

• Arnold Randall was named the commissioner to the Department of Planning and Development.

• Thomas G. Byrne was appointed commissioner of Department of Transportation.

• Suzanne Malec-McKenna, is the new commissioner at the Department of Environment.

• Sadhu Johnston was named the Chief Environmental Officer for the Mayor.

"All four of these individuals are extremely committed to public service and bring a wealth of experience to these positions," said Daley.

Randall had been the deputy chief of staff for economic development. Byrne had been was the manager of audit and internal control in the Law Department. Malec-McKenna was previously deputy commissioner of Natural Resources and Water Quality. Johnston was the commissioner of Department of Environment.

“Nowhere are the demands of a changing world more prevalent than in the changing patterns of our environment,” said Daley.  “As we look to the future, I have asked Sadhu and Suzanne to develop a series of new steps that will keep Chicago on track as the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation.”

Johnston's position is a new one that carries responsibility for working with all city departments to implement the mayor's environmental plan.

During the announcement, questions were raised about whether Byrne was the right choice to head the Transportation Department. The bulk of his work experience was with the police department, where he served for 35 years. There, Byrne rose to deputy superintendent in charge of homeland security and crime analysis.

"He is a good manager. Very few people are good managers," Daley said in response.

Mayor Daley was also at the opening of a new roof garden atop the Residences at 900 N. Michigan Ave.

"There is no down side to protecting the environment," said Daley.

Daley stressed that intiatives such as green roofs make the city more livable and can help reduce cost of energy in the city.