The mayor shall appoint one or more administrative assistants to assist him in the direction of the operations of the various city departments and agencies in cities of 50,000 or more population. Said administrative assistant shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and shall have qualifications equivalent to those of a city manager, which qualifications shall be specified by ordinance by the city council and shall include professional training and/or experience in the management and direction of a wide range of administrative affairs of municipal government. The administrative assistant to the mayor shall be solely answerable to the mayor.
65 ILCS 5/6-4-12