President-elect Barack Obama will announce Mary L. Schapiro to be the chairwoman of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, according to Democrats familiar
with the decision, elevating Schapiro from her current position as
the head of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Obama has also settled on Representative Ray LaHood, Republican of
Illinois, as his choice for transportation secretary, officials
familiar with the decision said, and on Friday is scheduled to announce
that LaHood will be nominated to lead the department through a vast
public works program intended to stimulate the economy.