Tracey Payne Henry is the Chief Administrative Officer/Managing Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) where she manages the areas of Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Compliance, Government and Policy, Workforce Development and Compliance.

Prior to joining CDA, she was with the Chicago of Chicago Department of Law for 25 years where she last served as Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel. Her practice concentrated on airport financing, airport concessions, real estate, and safety and security matters for the airports. She also provided legal advice and counsel to the Department of Procurement Services regarding the minority and women– owned business enterprise program.  

Tracey has also served as a Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Buildings where she was responsible for a 5 million dollar budget to implement and manage the Troubled Buildings Program that resulted in the inspection of over 800 troubled and crime infested buildings that resulted in the repair and restoration of hundreds of buildings, as well as the prosecution and fining of the building owners in excess of $1,000,000.00.

Tracey was also a Staff Attorney for the United Auto Workers- General Motors Legal Services Plan where she practiced in the transactional and litigation areas. Tracey received her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign.

Tracey volunteers much of her time to community efforts. She especially enjoys mentoring and guiding youth and exposing them to new adventures and experiences.

She is married and the proud mother to one daughter who is a second-year law student in Nashville, Tennessee.