March 24, 2026
Member: Kris Anderson
Role: Board of Directors
You became a member and joined the Board of Directors in 2019 – first, with the Chicago Association of Realtors, and now, with United. What originally drew you to Civic Federation, and what continues to interest you about our work?
The Civic Federation is the premiere research organization on issues of state and local governance and finance. As a former budget officer for Cook County Government, I was giddy to see what the Civic Federation had to say about various topics. Often, I took Civic Federation papers with me to discuss ideas on how to approach our work differently. Now working in the private sector, I am beyond happy that I get to be part of discussions which will change the city I love for the better.
A biproduct of being involved with Civic Federation is attending meetings and events and being in a room with so many titans of industry who share a single mission: to make the city we love a more vibrant place for all who come here to live, work, and play. I have met great people due to my involvement with Civic Federation, and I am grateful for that too.
United Airlines recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary and is headquartered in Chicago. What are some highlights and successes that the company is celebrating?
United has much to be proud of – we were the first to employ a flying nurse, a predecessor to the current and critically needed role of flight attendant; United hired its first Black pilot, Captain Bill Norwood of Chicago in 1965!; United was the first national carrier to offer service to all 50 states; and United is part of the Star Alliance, a 25 airline member cooperative which provides service to 190+ countries and over 1,100 airports.
However, we do not rest on our laurels, and we are using this centennial to discuss what is coming next, which includes a future where high-speed internet is available on all flights! This also includes a future where we are using more blended SAF (sustainable airline fuel). United is committed to improving the customer experience for domestic flights, so expect a future with larger overhead bins which reduces the need to check a carry-on.
One of our most premium experiences begins this year with Polaris Studio. On flights from SFO to Singapore or London, you can experience Polaris Studio, which will have a lie down seat that is 25% bigger, privacy door, ottoman, and 27-inch entertainment screen. I am proud of our 100-year history and giddy about the next 100 years.
What trends are you seeing in the sector you work in? How do you think these trends will impact our local government?
Both policy makers and the public at large see and understand the need for investment in Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Demand for travel is strong despite externalities that have the potential to interrupt travel, such as geo-political conflicts and federal funding disruptions.
O’Hare is the economic engine for the Chicago region, and state and local governments must continue to prioritize investment in that asset and more broadly support the industry and eco-system that drives that engine. Growth in both domestic and international traffic at O’Hare will be key to bolstering the local economy and maintaining Chicago’s status as a global city.
The O’Hare modernization project must continue with a focus on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In addition to new terminals, O’Hare travelers deserve a world-class experience through improved concessions and travel amenities. I believe a trend you will see for years to come is a consensus around the investment needed at ORD and ensuring that investment is made.
You are well-versed in local governance, of course, but what is your personal vision for Chicago and its residents? What sort of barriers do you face trying to make it happen?
A safe and thriving Chicago is my prayer for the city. Chicago has often been a “Tale of Two Cities.” When my stepson (a former suburbanite) came to live with me, the little boy asked a typical little boy question, “where are the ice cream parlors?” While commonplace in Tinley Park, they’re not as common in South Shore. I look forward to the day when the amenities of the Northside are commonplace on the Southside. To do this, it will require a delicate dance that allows gentrification without mass displacement, improvement in local schools, and creation of a myriad of employment opportunities while still making Chicago an attractive location for corporate relocation and job creators.
Fill in the blank: Chicago is the best at ____?
Maximizing summer fun.
Your best friend is coming to Chicago for the first time and they only have 24 hours, no price limit. What should they do?
Land at 3 p.m. and go to Ricobene’s for a breadsteak (pro tip: modify the sandwich by getting garlic bread). Then, Steppenwolf for a great play, followed by an evening visit to the Bean, the Riverwalk, and Magnificent Mile. If they are still hungry, we go to Gibson’s for great steaks and the Macadamia Turtle Nut Pie. After spending the night at my house, we rise early and I provide a quick driving tour of actual filming locations featured in Blues Brothers (including the 95th Street Bridge, the South Shore Cultural Center, and the Japanese Garden). After that, we ride by the Obama Presidential Center enroute to Roux for a great breakfast/brunch and cap off the visit by seeing the White Sox for a 1:05 p.m. start. We’ll leave in the sixth inning because the Sox are winning 10-0 and this meets the strict 24-hour constraint.
Kristopher has worked for local government, a U.S. Representative, the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business, and as a lobbyist for the McDonald's Corporation, as well as the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. He currently serves as the Director of State and Local Government Affairs for United Airlines. At United, he covers government affairs for a multi-state region. Issues for the airline range from jet fuel taxes, airport rents to local labor laws. Kristopher sees himself as an ambassador for the airline telling those in the civic community about the leadership United is taking on various issues including noise mitigation, SAF, and workforce development.
Kristopher is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois. Over the course of his career he has participated in multiple leadership and community cohorts including, Chicago Urban League IMPACT, Crain’s Leadership Academy, Leadership Greater Chicago and FBI Citizens Academy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Civic Federation and is an officer on the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC Board.
He is a lover of politics, food, travel, sports, late breaking news and the television show Jeopardy!. He resides on the Southshore neighborhood with his wife Ebony and their teenage son, Thaddeus.