(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The new secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation brings urban planning, transportation, and public policy experience to the leadership position. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that Gia Biagi will head up IDOT, pending Senate approval.

Biagi served as the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. She also served as principal of urbanism and civic impact at Studio Gang Architects, a Chicago-based architecture and urban design practice, where she advised private- and public- sector clients on urban design, community engagement and land use planning.

Kevin Artl, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, said Pritzker has made an “excellent” choice in the appointment of Biagi. Artl said Biagi was “innovative and forward thinking” as the Commissioner to the Chicago Department of Transportation and will be “an outstanding leader to continue rebuilding Illinois.”

This appointment follows the retirement of Omer Osman, who dedicated 35 years to IDOT.