The Chicago Board of Education is facing a reported budget deficit of up to $900 million. Board officials are also dealing with claims that former board presidents Michael Scott and Rufus Williams spent school-related money on personal items and lavish meals. So, you can imagine the next person in the seat is going to face serious scrutiny and high expectations. Recently Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced his pick to fill that position and you may have heard her name before. Mary Richardson-Lowry is currently a partner at the global law firm Mayer Brown, but she’s no stranger to the public sector. She’s held a variety of positions for the City of Chicago, perhaps most notably as the City’s Department of Buildings Commissioner from 1998 to 2000. Her confirmation vote is set for later this month, and  tells us more about the nomination.