City Council confirms Tom Powers as water chief

By a 48-0 vote, the City Council approved the appointment of former transportation chief Tom Powers as commissioner of the Water Department. 

Powers, who received a lengthy series of plaudits from aldermen, had been acting commissioner of the Transportation Department. 

The Sun-Times has some more background on the appointment here.

UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: The council has confirmed the mayor's appointment of Andre Rice to the Regional Transportation Authority Board. 

Rice fills the seat that was held by Michael Scott, who committed suicide in November. 

Aldermen also confirmed Bobby Ware as commissioner of the Transportation Department. He replaces Tom Powers.