Marlene Hopkins, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Buildings

Marlene Hopkins was nominated by Mayor Brandon Johnson and confirmed by the City Council as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Buildings in April 2024, taking the helm of the nation’s third-largest building department. She brings more than 25 years of City service to the role, including 18 in DOB leadership, and a deep commitment to safety, economic development, and community reinvestment.

Hopkins has been a driving force behind the rewrite of the Chicago Construction Codes, modernizing them to reflect current industry standards while strengthening enforcement to protect safety and quality of life citywide. As First Deputy Commissioner, she oversaw day-to-day operations in the office and in the field, managed departmental budgets, and ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. She has long championed a streamlined permitting process that reduces barriers for developers, contractors, and homeowners without compromising rigorous standards.

As Commissioner, Hopkins has made tenant safety and housing accountability central priorities, working to ensure all Chicagoans have access to safe, habitable housing and that negligent property owners are held accountable. Her approach pairs proactive enforcement with targeted reinvestment in historically underserved neighborhoods, shaping both policy and practice within the department.

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