Simone Weil Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

For the past five years I have served as a policy leader at CMAP. I manage a team of five policy analysts and planners charged with maintaining expertise and influencing policy related to infrastructure funding, tax policy, economic competitiveness, and racial equity, including detailed study of the region’s industry clusters, transportation equity, tax policy, and local development incentives. I help direct agency resources by preparing, justifying, and managing policy analysis programs for the agency's annual budget. In 2018, I co-chaired Cook County Board President Preckwinkle’s Policy Roadmap, Vital Communities committee and in 2019, I served on City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Business, Economic and Community Development transition team. For the ON TO 2050 comprehensive plan, I served as a primary author, along with one member of my staff, of the prosperity chapter and developed strategies for CMAP to implement the chapter’s recommendations. I represent CMAP in a variety of settings, including sharing findings with diverse audiences including the media (Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Daily Herald, WBEZ Radio).

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As a member of CMAP's policy team, I conducted analysis and provided recommendations on emerging state and local public policy topics. My work focused on regional economic competitiveness and the intersection of land use and transportation planning. I led development of the state legislative agenda and implemented strategies to communicate our priorities with elected officials and civic leaders. I co-authored analysis of the region’s key traded industry clusters and economic development practices. CMAP's work is informed by engaging policy makers and a deep pool of subject matter experts. I served as staff liaison to the region’s Council of County Board Chairs and CMAP’s Economic Development Committee. I also designed, developed content, managed ongoing analysis, and conducted media interviews on the health of metropolitan Chicago’s economy through the Regional Economic Indicators site.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

During graduate school, I provided staff support to the State’s Human Service Commission co-chaired by CCT's VIce President for Programming. I also assisted with the launch and administration of a $1.5 million Unity Challenge grant initiative providing emergency support to basic human needs service providers most impacted by the State budget crisis.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

On the Trust's discretionary grantmaking team, I provided day-to-day support for grantmaking activities. I developed funding recommendations for donors. I also coordinated the effort between CMAP and CCT-funded subject-matter expert agencies to provide input for the region’s comprehensive regional plan, GO TO 2040. During the Great Recession, I managed the Vital Signs public information series, tracking various quality of life and economic indicators and produced a monthly report published in Chicago Tribune and other local media outlets.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

In advance of a mayoral transition, I managed the development of "Elevating Our Vision for Learning: Improving Schools for All," a reform-oriented vision for high quality schools in every community. This effort engaged and consulted a broad array of stakeholders to provide community-informed strategic recommendations. I also contributed to, and coordinated, the writing, editing, translation, and design of documents.

Master Of Public Policy

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Spanish Language And Literature; International Studies

Activities and Societies: Sigma Iota Rho, International Studies Honors Society