QUICK TAKES - Jan. 20, 2009

The Obama transition team has stayed pretty disciplined in keeping appointments under wraps until they become official. But it increasingly looks like Michael Dorf, a Chicago attorney who has played key roles in shaping arts policy in both his city and on a national level, is the leading candidate to become chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts in the Obama administration.

At least, he’s won the outspoken support of union leaders who represent workers in the arts and entertainment fields and who, after years of feeling left out in the cold about the NEA appointment, are energized by what they view as the president-elect’s interest in their opinions.

Reached in Chicago, Dorf, 56, declined to comment about the NEA job. But he’s a well-known figure in his city. He directed development of the city’s first official cultural plan and served in many other arts-related capacities.

-- Allan M. Jalon