Joseph C. Szabo (born December 26, 1957) is a former government official who was the twelfth Federal Railroad Administrator of the United States.

Nominated by President Barack Obama on March 20, 2009, he was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 29, 2009.

He began his public service as a zoning commission member in his native south suburban Riverdale, Illinois, where he later served as a park district commissioner, village trustee, and ultimately mayor.

[4] Szabo joined the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) as a Senior Fellow in January 2015 and was named Executive Director in June 2015.

Adopted in October 2010, its GO TO 2040 plan is helping the 284 communities of northeastern Illinois to implement strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues.