City comptroller leaving for bank: 'If it wasn’t for this opportunity, I would have stayed'

City Comptroller Chasse Rehwinkel wasn't looking for a new job. That is, until an opportunity arose that was too good to pass up.

"It came out of nowhere, but it was a good fit," Rehwinkel told the Sun-Times Tuesday. "If it wasn’t for this opportunity, I would have stayed."

Rehwinkel announced Monday he would resign from his post and take on a new role as CFO of Devon Bank, which has locations in Chicago as well as in Glenview and Wheeling.

Rehwinkel said he enjoyed working for the city's fiscal team but couldn't refuse the new opportunity.

"It’s been a privilege working for the city and I'm looking forward to the next adventure," said Rehwinkel, who was appointed comptroller last year by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Rehwinkel, and the rest of Johnson’s leadership team, had just endured a protracted budget process that saw the City Council flatly reject Johnson’s original proposal of a $300 million property tax increase.

The budget passed last week contained no property tax increase.

In the news release touting the budget’s approval, Rehwinkel was quoted as saying: “This plan ensures Chicagoans can count on their government to deliver full, uninterrupted services. From keeping streets clean to ensuring safe and healthy neighborhoods, we are committed to upholding the trust our residents place in us every day.”

Rehwinkel made it clear his decision to resign was not influenced by the drawn-out battle for the budget between Johnson and the City Council. "I have no issues with the administration," said Rehwinkel Tuesday.

"Budgets can be tough and challenging," he said. "You just need to go into the next year and work harder to get things done."

Rehwinkel's last day as city comptroller is Dec. 31.