Forrest Claypool

Forrest Claypool

Forrest Claypool (born 1958 in Vandalia, Illinois) is an American politician. He was the superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools system serving from the resignation of Barbara Byrd-Bennett in June 2015 until his own resignation in December 2017.

Before becoming superintendent, Claypool has held several positions in the governments of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. He was the Democratic member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and President of the Chicago Transit Authority.

In 2007–2008, Claypool served as a key member of Barack Obama campaign's media team, in his capacity as a longtime partner of David Axelrod.