About

Chicago District Organizational Structure

Commander

As commander of the Chicago District, Colonel Quarles is responsible for water resources development in the Chicago metropolitan area, an area of about 5,000 square miles with a population of about 8 million. The district's primary mission areas are flood damage reduction, navigation, shore protection, emergency management, environmental functions and support for others.

Chief of Resource Management

Conducts accounting functions for civil and military funds.  Manages the employee pay system for Chicago District and Great Lakes Regional Office.  Provides the District with a comprehensive management analysis capability.  Carries out a management study program, analyzing district activities and identifying areas for improvement.

 
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer

Advises management on equal employment/affirmative action activities and recommends actions to enhance the EEO/Affirmative Action Program.  Analyzes discrimination complaints and processes actions concerning EEO counseling and complaints of discrimination.  

 
Contracting

Please see the contracting page for more information.

Office of Counsel

Furnishes all legal advice and services to the District.  Is the focal point for all Privacy Act requests and Freedom of Information Act requests.  Is also the District Ethics Counselor. 

Public Affairs Officer (Lynne Whelan)

The Public Affairs Office is the place to contact if you have a question about any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program. We can also help if you are looking for a Corps speaker or exhibit, if you are a reporter or researcher looking for information or if you have a question about a Corps news release. You can reach the Public Affairs Office by calling (312) 846-5300. 

Technical Services Division

The technical servces division oversees technical matters pertaining to designing, engineering and constructing projects for the district.  

• Oversees land and hydrographic surveys, environmental engineering, flood control and water control as well as geological, geotechnical design and coastal engineering matters. 
• Coordinates cost estimates for civil works and other special design projects. 
• Responsible for emergency planning and operations within the Chicago District, including national emergency, continuity of operations, civil disturbance and natural disaster contingencies.
• Manages the operations of Federal navigation projects (Chicago Lock) and oversees the maintenance of Federal coastal navigation structures, breakwaters, piers, jetties, revetments, flood protection works and shore protection structures.  Also manages dredging and other channel maintenance. 
• Administers the Corps' regulatory program, avises the public when and where permits are required, assists the public in the application process, including public hearings and meetings, and processes permit applications.  Responsible for wetland delineations and jurisdictional determinations, also environmental assessments. Ensures compliance to applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Assures that Civil Works construction is accomplished in accordance with policies and regulations.  Provides support to area offices and liaison with other district elements.

Information Management

Provides all automation, communications, printing, audiovisual and library/records management services for the District. Responsible for all acquisition of computer hardware and software.  Operates the central mail processing center, records management, forms and publications programs and audiovisual support.

Planning, Programs and Project Management Division

• Project Management Branch - Monitors project status, continuity and accountability. Responsible for coordinating Local Cooperation Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, etc. with other organizations. Develops the Project Management Plan (PMP) to monitor project schedules, costs and budgets, and project execution.
  
  
• Planning Branch - Provides central management for Reconnaissance studies and reports and flood insurance studies, flood hazard information and the Flood Plain Management Program.  Conducts economic and social base studies, cost-benefit studies and economic investigations. Is the technical  advisor on all environmental, social, cultural and recreational matters.  Ensures compliance with environmental laws.
  
  
• Real Estate Planning & Acquisition Branch - Provides real estate planning and acquisition support associated with project alternative analysis and execution.