No sooner did the labor crisis get resolved, then a shake-up at the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau focused more negative attention on the Windy City's contentious politics. Christopher G. Kennedy (yes, Kennedy as in the Kennedy family), chair of the bureau's board, made a surprise move to strip president and CEO Paul D. Astleford of the CEO part of his title. Taking on that title will be Jim Reilly, currently CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Kennedy made his play at an executive committee meeting November 6. After an incendiary two-hour debate, the divided committee approved the idea by a tight vote of 10 to 9, according to local press reports. The committee's goal is not to merge the bureau and convention center, but to move the bureau in a more political direction. The politically connected Reilly would garner government support of the convention industry, while Astleford would focus on sales efforts. At press time, the board of directors was about to vote on whether to ratify the plan in what promised to be another acrimonious meeting.