Executive Vice President, Metropolitan Planning Council
Peter joined MPC as urban development director in 1996. For the past 18 years, he has played a lead role in expanding MPC’s capacity to produce quality research, develop sound policies, and advocate for sensible development in Chicagoland. He was promoted to Vice President of External Relations in 1999, Vice President in 2009, and Executive Vice President in 2013.
He has led several major policy initiatives, including the 1999 rewrite of the Illinois Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act, massive overhaul of Chicago’s zoning ordinance in 2004, and passage of Illinois’ Public Private Partnerships for Transportation Act in 2011 and is actively working on bringing Bus Rapid Transit to Chicago’s west side. He staffed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Transportation and Infrastructure transition committee and currently co–chairs the Mayors Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In 2013, he chaired the Midway Advisory Panel overseeing the proposed long term lease of Midway Airport. He is also a member of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Transportation Committee and University of Illinois Allumni Association Advocacy Committee.
Prior to joining MPC, from 1994 to 1996, Peter worked for the Chicago Park District as area manager on the southeast side. He also founded and served on the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs Alumni Association from 1997 to 2003. Peter has received several awards and honors, including the 2005 City Partner Award for outstanding contribution to UIC and the Chicago metropolitan area; and the 2007 Lou Liay Spirit Award for Extraordinary Alumni Service from the University of Illinois.
Peter received a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993, and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from the University of Chicago in 1990. He was born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park community and lives on the North Side in the city’s 47th Ward with his wife and children.