Brandon Johnson Explained

Brandon Johnson
Office:57th Mayor of Chicago
Deputy:Walter Burnett Jr.
Term Start:May 15, 2023
Predecessor:Lori Lightfoot
Office1:Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
from the 1st district
Term Start1:December 3, 2018
Term End1:May 15, 2023
Predecessor1:Richard Boykin
Successor1:Tara Stamps
Birth Date:27 March 1976
Birth Place:Elgin, Illinois, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:3
Education:Aurora University (BA, MA)
Signature:Brandon Johnson signature (1).svg

Brandon Johnson (born March 27, 1976)[1] is an American educator and politician who has served as the 57th Mayor of Chicago since 2023.[2] [3] [4] A member of the Democratic Party, Johnson previously served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 2018 to 2023, representing the 1st district.

Johnson was first elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018 after defeating incumbent Commissioner Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary election and winning the general election unopposed. Johnson won reelection to the County Board in 2022.

Johnson was elected mayor of Chicago in 2023. In the first round of the election, he and Paul Vallas advanced to a runoff, unseating incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot. Johnson defeated Vallas in the runoff election and was elected to serve as the 57th mayor of Chicago.[5] [6] He is the city's fourth African-American mayor.

Johnson is considered to be a political progressive.[7]

Early life and education

Johnson was born in Elgin, Illinois.[1] He was one of ten children born to Andrew and Wilma Jean Johnson.[8] Johnson grew up in Elgin with his nine siblings.[8] His father was a pastor and his parents were occasional foster parents.[8] Johnson's father, Andrew Johnson, also worked at the Elgin Mental Health Center.[9] When Johnson was nineteen years old, his mother died of congestive heart failure.[8]

Johnson married Stacie Rencher.[10]

Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in youth development and a master's degree in teaching from Aurora University.[8]

Early career

Johnson worked as a social studies teacher at Jenner Academy Elementary and George Westinghouse College Prep, both part of the Chicago Public Schools system.[11] He became an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union in 2011, and helped organize the 2012 Chicago teachers strike.[12] He also helped lead field campaigns during the 2015 Chicago mayoral and aldermanic elections.

Cook County commissioner (2018–2023)

Johnson ran against incumbent Richard Boykin in the 2018 election for the Cook County Board of Commissioner's 1st district. He was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and progressive advocacy groups, including the Chicago Teachers Union, Grassroots Illinois Action, Our Revolution, and SEIU Locals 1 and 73.[13] He was also endorsed by Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle.[14] He won the Democratic Party primary election on March 20, 2018, defeating Boykin by 0.8 percentage points (437 votes), and ran unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2018.[15] Johnson was sworn in as a Cook County commissioner on December 3, 2018.[16]

Johnson was the chief sponsor of the Just Housing Ordinance, which amended the county's housing ordinance by prohibiting potential landlords or property owners from asking about or considering prospective tenants' or homebuyers' criminal history.[12] The ordinance was passed in April 2019.[17] [18]

In October 2019, Johnson spoke at a solidarity rally supporting striking teachers and support staff during the 2019 Chicago Public Schools Strike, and wrote supportive letters to the editor in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.[19] [20] [21] Johnson worked as a paid organizer for CTU, focusing on legislative affairs. Politico's Illinois Playbook reported after the strike that Johnson was rumored as a potential mayoral candidate in the 2023 election; Johnson responded by calling the rumors "laughable" and criticizing the publication for making a connection between the strike and his electoral career. In November 2019, Johnson wrote an essay in a CTU publication drawing a distinction between the union's organizing model and "top-down school governance."[22] [23]

Johnson endorsed Toni Preckwinkle ahead of the first round of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election.[24] He also endorsed Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the 2019 Chicago city treasurer election.[12] In August 2019, Johnson endorsed the candidacy of Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[25] [26]

In the summer of 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, Johnson authored the "Justice for Black Lives" resolution that was adopted in July 2020.[27] The resolution called for reallocating funding "from policing and incarceration" to "public services not administered by law enforcement that promote community health and safety equitably." In an interview that year, Johnson praised the political catchphrase "defund the police" as a "real political goal". He would later walk back his embrace of the phrase "defund the police", especially making an effort to disassociate himself from it during his 2023 mayoral campaign.[28] [29]

Johnson was reelected in 2022.[30]

During Johnson's tenure on the Board of Commissioners, Board President Toni Preckwinkle exerted strong influence on the policy pursued by the body.[31] Johnson had generally been allied with Preckwinkle.[32]

2023 mayoral campaign

See main article: 2023 Chicago mayoral election.

Johnson was elected the mayor of Chicago in the city's 2023 mayoral election. He became the third black person to be elected mayor of Chicago. Johnson is the fourth black person to serve as the city's mayor, as Eugene Sawyer had been appointed to serve following Harold Washington's death in office but was never elected.[33] He also became the first mayor to hail from the city's West Side since the tenure of Anton Cermak in the 1930s.[34] Johnson was sworn in as Chicago's 57th[35] mayor on May 15, 2023.[36]

First round

As early as November 2019, there had been speculation that Johnson might run for mayor of Chicago in 2023.[12] On September 13, 2022, Johnson launched an exploratory committee to consider running for in the 2023 mayoral election.[37] In the weeks that followed, he received endorsements from United Working Families, the Chicago Teachers Union,[38] and progressive independent political organizations in the 30th, 33rd, 35th, and 39th wards.[39] On October 23, the American Federation of Teachers pledged to donate $1 million to Johnson's campaign should he enter the race. On October 27, Johnson formally announced his candidacy.[40] [41] [42]

Johnson's campaign was supported by what Heather Cherone of WTTW News described as a "coalition of progressive groups".[43] Johnson was the beneficiary of Chuy García's decision to wait until after the 2022 United States House of Representatives election to announce his mayoral candidacy, as a number of groups that had supported García 2015 mayoral campaign, such as the Chicago Teachers Union and the United Working Families, grew impatient of waiting for a decision by García on whether he would run and instead pledged their support to Johnson.[44] [45]

Johnson was described as a "progressive" and a favored "candidate of the left."[46] [47] [48] His campaign emphasized funding and resources for public schools,[49] a public safety platform that includes efficiency audits and non-police responses to mental health emergencies,[50] support for a real estate transfer tax to fund homelessness response and prevention, and a budget that proposes raising $1 billion in new revenues, including through new or increased taxes on airlines, financial transactions, high-value real estate transfers, and hotels.[51] [52] [53] Amid polling showing crime and police relations as the leading issue, Johnson was the only primary candidate who did not express support for hiring more police officers, suggesting instead an increase in the detective force from existing ranks, citywide youth hiring, reopening mental health centers, and investment in violence prevention as means to address 'root causes of crime',[54] in line with voter preferences for increased job training and economic opportunity over force expansion.[55]

Johnson exchanged criticisms with several of his opponents. Johnson delivered focused criticisms of Mayor Lightfoot, who criticized Johnson in return.[56] Another opponent that Johnson exchanged barbs with was Chuy García.[57] Johnson characterized García of having "abandon[ed] the progressive movement” and of having presented no distinction from Mayor Lightfoot in his proposals for combatting violent crime in Chicago.[44] Johnson further characterized García as having been absent from work on a number of issues that impacted Latino neighborhoods in the city.[56] In turn, García characterized Johnson's tax proposals as being incomplete and outside of a mayor's ability to enact and questioned whether Johnson, as a former organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, would be able to objectively negotiate with them on behalf of the city.[44]

Johnson, at a mayoral debate, attacked fellow candidate Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, by claiming that Vallas' tenure as CEO had, "further stratified our school district, leaving our schools without the necessary support that they need."[58] In the closing weeks of the campaign, as Johnson was recognized as a more prominent contender in the race due to a continued rise in polls, he began to face focused criticism from Mayor Lightfoot as well as fellow progressive challengers Kam Buckner and Ja'Mal Green.[59] Until February, Lightfoot had made public remarks that were dismissive of Johnson's chances in the election.[59] However, her regard for Johnson's electoral prospects appeared to change once Johnson's standing in the polls ascended. On February 8, 2023, a political action committee supporting Mayor Lightfoot began to run an attack ad against Johnson.[43] By mid-February, polls indicated that Johnson was one of four candidates with clear probability of being among the first two finishers and advancing to a likely runoff election. The other three candidates who were shown by polls to be the most likely to advance were Paul Vallas, Mayor Lightfoot, and Chuy García.[59] Reflecting his increased standing in the race, in the final televised debate prior to the close of the initial election Johnson faced strong targeted criticism from several of his opponents, receiving particularly intense criticism from Lightfoot and Green.[60]

In the first round of the election on February 28, Johnson placed second with about 22% of the vote and advanced to the runoff election on April 4, where he faced Paul Vallas, who placed first in the initial round of the election with over 33% of the vote.[61] [62] [63] [64]

Runoff

After they were eliminated in the election's first round as mayoral candidates, U.S. Congressman Chuy García and Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner endorsed Johnson in the runoff.[65] Among the most prominent figures to endorse Johnson in the general election were activist and two-time presidential candidate Jesse Jackson,[66] Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle (the runner-up of the previous mayoral election in 2019),[67] Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul,[68] former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun (a 2004 presidential candidate 2011 mayoral candidate),[69] U.S. Congressman from South Carolina Jim Clyburn,[70] as well as U.S. Senators and former presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren (of Massachusetts) and Bernie Sanders (of Vermont).[71]

Johnson criticized Vallas for ties to Republican Party organizations and figures, as well as his ties to conservative causes, remarking in the first runoff debate, "Chicago cannot afford Republicans like Paul Vallas". This included bringing up 2009 remarks in which Vallas had expressed opposition to abortion rights and declared himself "more of a Republican than a Democrat." In response to this line of criticism, Vallas proclaimed himself a "lifelong Democrat", citing his candidacy in the primary of the 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election and his unsuccessful campaign as the Democratic Party's nominee for lieutenant governor in the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election.[72] [73] Johnson also attacked Vallas as having hurt Chicago Public Schools' finances during his tenure as CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Vallas accused Johnson of lacking "substance", accusing him of lacking a significant political record.[72] Vallas campaigned on lowering crime while characterizing Brandon Johnson as wanting to "defund the police".[74]

Johnson and Vallas both agreed on continuing expanding the INVEST South/West Initiative launched by Mayor Lightfoot, which directs investment into historically disadvantaged South and West Side neighborhoods.[72] Vallas and Johnson also agreed that the city should not utilize public money in order to persuade the Chicago Bears football team, which is pursuing a new stadium in the suburb of Arlington Heights, to remain in the city of Chicago.[72]

Prior to advancing to the runoff, both Johnson and Vallas had come out in opposition to the notion of the city spending $2 billion or more to renovate and build a dome over the Bears' current municipally-owned home stadium, Soldier Field.[75] [76] While Vallas expressed his belief that it is a foregone matter that the Bears will not reconsider a move to Arlington Heights,[75] [77] in the runoff Johnson reiterated his previously declared stance that the city should still pursue the opportunity to negotiate with the football team,[78] and pledged that as mayor he would "sit down and work with the [Chicago Bears] ownership", in order to see what arrangement the city and the team, "can figure out".[72]

On April 4, Johnson defeated Vallas to win the runoff election. The Associated Press projected his victory within a few hours of poll closing, on the night of April 4.[3] His victory was described as an upset victory by several media outlets.[79] [80] He became mayor at noon on May 15, 2023.[81]

Johnson performed exceptionally strong in wards with majority black populations, winning as much as 80% in some such wards on the South Side and West Side of the city. He also performed strongly in some predominantly white lakeshore areas and in some Hispanic-majority areas northwest of the city's downtown.[82]

Johnson had been significantly out-fundraised in the election by Vallas,[83] and outspent by a ratio of nearly 2-to-1.[84] Some journalists have attributed grassroots organizing in support of Johnson's candidacy as having been the difference-maker in his victory.[85]

Mayoralty

Transition

Many of those leading Johnson's transition team, including its chair, have ties to trade unions.[86]

On April 6, 2023, Mayor-elect Johnson met with Mayor Lightfoot at her Chicago City Hall office in order to discuss the mayoral transition.[87] [88] The following day, Mayor-elect Johnson met in person with Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.[89] He met in person with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on April 14, 2023.[90]

On April 11, 2023, Chicago was announced to have won the right to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention.[91] Johnson had supported the city's bid. After they had defeated Lightfoot in the first round, both Johnson and Vallas each vowed to provide their support for the convention bid that Lightfoot had been championing as mayor.[92] It was reported that when President Joe Biden made a congratulatory phone call to Johnson after he was projected the election's victory, Johnson took the opportunity to pitch him on Chicago's bid to host the convention.[93] After the mayoral election, in the final day before the Democratic National Committee was to select a host city for the convention, Johnson and Governor Pritkzer had worked with each other to advance the case for Chicago to host.[94]

Approximately a week after his election, Johnson joined a picket line alongside striking faculty members at Chicago State University.[95]

In April 2023, after several large groups of teens and young adults engaged in shootings and vandalism across multiple locations in the city,[96] Mayor-Elect Johnson issued a statement, writing "...in no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend. It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities."[97]

On April 18, Johnson began a trip to the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, holding meetings there with state lawmakers. The following day he addressed the Illinois General Assembly.[98] [99]

Johnson made staff decisions during the transition period, such as selecting his mayoral chief of staff.[100] It was announced that Interim Chief of Police Eric Carter would step down from that position on the day that Johnson is inaugurated.[101]

Tenure

Johnson was inaugurated at noon on May 15, 2023, at the Credit Union 1 Arena.[102] Hours later he signed four executive orders relating to public safety, migrants and youth employment.[102]

In October 2023, City Council passed the "One Fair Wage" ordinance with the support of Johnson. The ordinance establishes a timeline for the eventual elimination of the "subminimum wage" for tipped workers by July 1, 2028.[103] [104] [105]

In late November 2023, Johnson acknowledged that the City of Chicago, with the backing of Gov. J.B. Pritzker,[106] was set to construct a tent city hosting mostly Venezuelan migrants on the Southwest Side. Along with the encampments, Johnson teamed up with churches in 17 of Chicago's parishes to house roughly 350 migrants.[107]

On January 31, 2024, Johnson supported a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.[108] Daniel Goldwin of the Jewish United Fund said that Johnson "angered the real mainstream part of the Jewish community."[109]

On February 20, 2024, Johnson as Mayor of Chicago announced lawsuits against major oil and gas companies including BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute, accusing them of deceiving the public about the climate change impacts of their products, as the city of Chicago seeks accountability for climate change-related damages it has suffered.[110]

During the 2023 mayoral campaign, Johnson campaigned on passing the "Bring Chicago Home" ordinance, a plan to increase the City's real estate transfer tax (RETT) on property sales over $1 million to fund affordable housing and homelessness support services.[111] [112] In November 2023, City Council voted to put a referendum to change the tax on the primary election in March 2024.[113] The referendum failed, with 53.2% of voters opposing the measure.[114]

Approval polling

The conservative Koch network-backed Illinois Policy Institute conducted a poll of 800 registered voters in October 2023, finding that 28% of respondents approved of Johnson, 50% disapproved, and 22% had no opinion, with a margin of error of ±4.4%.[115] [116]

Personal life

Johnson lives in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago with his wife, Stacie, and their three children.[1]

In March 2023, it was revealed that Johnson owed the city of Chicago $3,357.04 in unpaid water and sewer charges and additional $1,044.58 in unpaid traffic tickets from 2014 and 2015.[117] [118] However, Johnson's debts were confirmed to be paid in full by March 31, 2023.[119]

Electoral history

Cook County Board of Commissioners

2022

Mayor of Chicago

2023 Chicago mayoral election
CandidateGeneral election[120] Runoff election[121]
Votes%Votes%
Brandon Johnson122,09321.63319,48152.16
Paul Vallas185,74332.90293,03347.84
Lori Lightfoot (incumbent)94,89016.81
Chuy García77,22213.68
Willie Wilson51,5679.13
Ja'Mal Green12,2572.17
Kam Buckner11,0921.96
Sophia King7,1911.27
Roderick Sawyer2,4400.43
Write-ins290.00
Total564,524100.00612,514100.00

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yin . Alice . January 31, 2023 . Chicago mayoral candidate profile: Brandon Johnson . https://archive.today/20230207161007/https://www.chicagotribune.com/voter-guide/ct-brandon-johnson-chicago-mayor-bio-20230131-j3c2c24dlvednbpqql7nny5vuy-story.html . 7 Feb 2023 . February 19, 2023 . Chicago Tribune.
  2. News: 2023-04-04 . Chicago Mayor Runoff Election Results . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-05 . 0362-4331.
  3. News: Burnett. Sara. April 4, 2023. Johnson elected Chicago mayor in victory for progressives. Associated Press. April 4, 2023.
  4. News: Pratt. Gregory. Yin. Alice. April 4, 2023. Brandon Johnson tops Paul Vallas for Chicago mayor: AP. Chicago Tribune. April 4, 2023.
  5. News: 2023-04-04 . Chicago Mayor Runoff Election Results . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-05 . 0362-4331.
  6. News: 2023-04-04 . Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor election; Paul Vallas concedes . en-US . Chicago Tribune . 2023-04-05 .
  7. Multiple sources:
  8. Web site: Lourgos . Angie Leventis . Brandon Johnson: Organizer. Anti-establishment. Servant-leader. From middle school teacher to Chicago mayor. . Chicago Tribune . 20 April 2023 . April 9, 2023.
  9. Web site: 2023-03-25 . Brandon Johnson: From church youth group leader to teacher on a path 'to do better for others' . 2023-10-09 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  10. Web site: Brandon Johnson appears on stage with wife Stacie Rencher-Johnson and their children before becoming Chicago's 57th mayor on May 15, 2023, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.. Brian . Cassella. Chicago Tribune. May 15, 2023. The Brunswick News.
  11. Web site: About Brandon Johnson. Brandon Johnson for Cook County Commissioner. en-US. November 7, 2019. November 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221109181436/https://brandonforcookcounty.com/about-brandon. dead.
  12. Web site: IS CTU ALREADY EYEING 2023? — JOHNSON 'toying with' retirement — DEMS WANT ARROYO, BURKE OUT. Kapos. Shia. Hurst. Adrienne. POLITICO. en. November 7, 2019.
  13. Web site: Endorsements. Brandon Johnson for Cook County Commissioner. en-US. November 7, 2019.
  14. Web site: Hinton . Rachel . Preckwinkle endorses Brandon Johnson in Cook County Board's 1st District race . Chicago Sun-Times . January 30, 2023 . en . March 16, 2018.
  15. Web site: Brandon Johnson (Illinois) . November 7, 2019 . Ballotpedia . en.
  16. Web site: Commissioner Brandon Johnson sworn in Monday. AustinTalks. AustinTalks. December 3, 2018 . en-US. November 7, 2019.
  17. Web site: County Board limits landlords' inquiries into tenants' criminal histories. Hinton. Rachel. April 25, 2019. Chicago Sun-Times. en. November 7, 2019.
  18. Web site: County hearing on housing heats up over criminal history questions in tenant applications. Hinton. Rachel. October 23, 2019. Chicago Sun-Times. en. November 7, 2019.
  19. Web site: As CTU contract talks stall, Lightfoot says union won't 'take yes for an answer'. Wittich. Jake. October 27, 2019. Chicago Sun-Times. en. November 7, 2019.
  20. Web site: October 18, 2019 . Chicago teachers demand an overdue social transformation . November 17, 2019 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  21. Web site: Letters: Teachers have become first responders. Johnson. Brandon. October 21, 2019. chicagotribune.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022202241/https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/letters/ct-letters-vp-102219-20191021-6o7u6trclngrpngcdpdvferlky-story.html . October 22, 2019 . November 17, 2019.
  22. Web site: Organizing to build a more perfect union. Johnson. Brandon. November 13, 2019. Chicago Teachers Union. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191117174000/https://www.ctulocal1.org/chicago-union-teacher/2019/11/organizing-to-build-a-more-perfect-union/ . November 17, 2019 . November 17, 2019.
  23. Web site: Chicago Teachers Union ratifies new contract, avoiding another walkout after 11-day strike. Leone. Hannah. November 16, 2019. chicagotribune.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191116065022/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-cps-strike-teachers-union-vote-contract-chicago-20191116-rcbxrifhgva7rkbvhmwxe2vcum-story.html . November 16, 2019 . November 17, 2019.
  24. Web site: List of Endorsements in the Race for Chicago Mayor . February 22, 2019.
  25. Web site: Romain . Michael . Brandon Johnson has a plan: get behind Elizabeth Warren . Oak Park . January 30, 2023 . September 3, 2019.
  26. Web site: Marzano . Peter . March 10, 2023 . Sen. Elizabeth Warren Endorses Brandon Johnson For Mayor in First National Endorsement of Runoff Campaign . 11 March 2023 . NBC Chicago.
  27. Web site: Yin . Alice . Cook County Board passes symbolic resolution to shift money from police, jails in wake of 'defund' movements . Chicago Tribune . 15 April 2023 . July 30, 2020.
  28. Web site: Cherone . Heather . How Brandon Johnson Weathered Attacks Over Claims He Would Defund the Police . WTTW News . 14 April 2023 . en . April 5, 2023.
  29. Web site: Woelfel . Mariah . From raising taxes to defunding the police, we fact checked Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson . WBEZ Chicago . 14 April 2023 . en . 31 March 2023.
  30. Web site: Tabulated Statement of the Returns and Proclamation of the Results of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the November 8, 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Held in Each of the Precincts in Cook County, Illinois Including the City of Chicago . www.cookcountyclerkil.gov . Cook County Clerk . December 6, 2022 . 2022.
  31. Web site: Byrne . John . Yin . Alice . Brandon Johnson has spent four years on the Cook County Board. Does his record there stand up to the achievements he touts? . Chicago Tribune . 15 April 2023 . March 31, 2023.
  32. Web site: Wall . Craig . Paul Vallas endorsed by former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White in Chicago mayoral race . ABC7 Chicago . 4 March 2023 . en . 3 March 2023.
  33. Multiple sources:
  34. Web site: Arline . Trey . 2023-04-06 . Brandon Johnson Will Be The First West Side Mayor In 90 Years, Giving Locals Hope . 2023-04-06 . Block Club Chicago . en.
  35. Web site: Bradley . TAhman . Ong . Eli . Brandon Johnson details plan heading into inauguration . WGN-TV . 12 April 2023 . 5 April 2023.
  36. Web site: Marzano . Peter . When Will Chicago's Next Mayor Be Sworn In? What to Know About the Transition . NBC Chicago . 12 April 2023 . April 12, 2023.
  37. Web site: Cherone . Heather . Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson Launches Exploratory Committee for Chicago Mayor . October 30, 2022 . WTTW News . en.
  38. Web site: Chicago Teachers Union Endorses Brandon Johnson for Mayor, Urges Him to Make Bid Official . October 30, 2022 . WTTW News . en.
  39. Web site: Cherone . Heather . Backed by Teachers Union, Brandon Johnson Launches Campaign for Chicago Mayor . October 30, 2022 . WTTW News . en.
  40. Web site: Pratt . Gregory . Yin . Alice . Quig . A.D. . October 27, 2022 . Brandon Johnson, Mayor Lightfoot's newest progressive challenger, contends she's 'disconnected ... with working people' . October 30, 2022 . Chicago Tribune.
  41. Multiple sources:
  42. Web site: Spielman . Fran . October 27, 2022 . Brandon Johnson joining crowded race for Chicago mayor . October 30, 2022 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  43. Web site: Cherone . Heather . Political Fund Created by Lightfoot's Allies Used Cash from City Contractors to Attack Johnson . WTTW News . 11 March 2023 . en . February 10, 2023.
  44. Web site: Spielman . Fran . Garcia questions whether Johnson, a CTU organizer, can be an objective mayor . Chicago Sun-Times . 11 March 2023 . en . 17 February 2023.
  45. Multiple sources:
  46. Web site: Pratt . Gregory . Yin . Alice . Quig . A.D. . Brandon Johnson, Mayor Lightfoot's newest progressive challenger, contends she's 'disconnected ... with working people' . Chicago Tribune . January 30, 2023 . October 27, 2022.
  47. Web site: Hinz . Gregory . Brandon Johnson's a true believer—but is a total progressive what voters want? . Crain's Chicago Business . January 30, 2023 . October 27, 2022.
  48. Web site: McClelland . Edward Robert . Mayoral Power Rankings 2023: November 2022 Update . Chicago Magazine . January 30, 2023 . November 17, 2022.
  49. Web site: February 1, 2023 . Brandon Johnson vows to fully fund, and resource, city's public schools . February 7, 2023 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  50. Web site: February 6, 2023 . Mayoral challenger Brandon Johnson unveils sweeping plan to fight violent crime . February 7, 2023 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  51. News: Chicago's Choice Points to a Democratic Divide the G.O.P. Hopes to Exploit . The New York Times . March 2023 . Weisman . Jonathan . Bender . Michael C. .
  52. Web site: January 24, 2023 . Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson unveils tax-the-rich plan to bankroll social services . February 7, 2023 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  53. Web site: Calls to defund the police no longer seem like such a radical idea . September 11, 2020 .
  54. Web site: Brandon Johnson Wants to Support Neighborhood Schools and Make the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share — Not Hire More Cops . February 8, 2023 .
  55. Web site: Poll: Chicago voters feel unsafe, unhappy with police relations — and are looking for a candidate to fix it all . February 9, 2023 .
  56. Web site: Yin . Alice . Pratt . Gregory . 'You brought chaos': Mayor Lightfoot defends record against challengers 'Chuy' García and Brandon Johnson . Chicago Tribune . 11 March 2023 . January 23, 2023.
  57. Web site: Bradley . Tahman . Ong . Eli . Brandon Johnson and Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia duke it out on mayoral campaign trail . WGN-TV . 11 March 2023 . 18 January 2023.
  58. Web site: Vakil . Caroline . Lightfoot fields attacks in crowded Chicago mayoral debate . The Hill . 11 March 2023 . 20 January 2023.
  59. Web site: Cherone . Heather . Johnson Becomes Focus of Attacks as Mayor's Race Enters Homestretch Amid Swirl of Dark Money . WTTW News . 11 March 2023 . en . February 16, 2023.
  60. Multiple sources:
  61. Web site: 2023 . 2023 Municipal General – 2/28/23 . 8 March 2023 . chicagoelections.gov . Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
  62. Web site: 2023-02-28 . Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff . 2023-03-01 . AP NEWS . en.
  63. Web site: 2023-03-01 . Lightfoot is out — with Vallas in strong lead, expected to face Johnson in runoff . 2023-03-01 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  64. Web site: Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, setting stage for Chicago's mayoral race to be between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas . 2023-03-01 . Chicago Tribune.
  65. Multiple sources:
  66. Web site: Myers . Quinn . 17 March 2023 . Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García, Jesse Jackson Endorse Brandon Johnson In Chicago Mayor's Race . Block Club Chicago . en-US . March 18, 2023.
  67. News: Myers . Quinn . March 7, 2023 . Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Endorses Brandon Johnson For Mayor . Block Club Chicago . March 27, 2023.
  68. Web site: Kapos . Shia . 2023-03-15 . Raoul backs Johnson in endorsement game . 2023-03-15 . POLITICO . en.
  69. Web site: Spielman . Fran . March 14, 2023 . More Chicago mayoral endorsements: Abortion rights PAC backs Johnson; 3 police union supporters on City Council back Vallas . Chicago Sun-Times . en-US . March 14, 2023.
  70. Web site: Marans . Daniel . March 16, 2023 . Top House Democrat Jim Clyburn Endorses Brandon Johnson For Chicago Mayor . HuffPost . en-US . March 16, 2023.
  71. Web site: NBC 5 Staff . March 16, 2023 . Chicago Mayoral Runoff Candidate Brandon Johnson Gets Endorsement From Sen. Bernie Sanders . March 16, 2023 . WMAQ-TV.
  72. Web site: Myers . Quinn . Brandon Johnson Goes On Offensive In 1st Runoff Debate, Blasts Paul Vallas Over Property Taxes, Republican Ties . Block Club Chicago . 11 March 2023 . en . 9 March 2023.
  73. Web site: Yin . Alice . Pratt . Gregory . Quig . A.D. . At first debate of mayoral runoff, Johnson attacks Vallas' record as rival tries to stay above the fray . Chicago Tribune . 11 March 2023 . March 8, 2023.
  74. Web site: Skelley . Geoffrey . What You Need To Know About The Wisconsin And Chicago Elections . FiveThirtyEight . 3 April 2023 . 3 April 2023.
  75. Web site: Chicago mayoral candidates answer 23 questions . Chicago-Sun Times . 11 March 2023 . en . 2023.
  76. Web site: Hughes . Steven . Chicago Mayoral Candidate Vallas upset about '$2.2 billion' cost of renovating Soldier Field . Chicago City Wire . 8 March 2023 . en . August 2, 2022.
  77. Web site: Neveau . James . Marzano . Peter . How the Chicago mayoral election could impact Soldier Field . NBC Sports . 8 March 2023 . en . February 24, 2023.
  78. Web site: Marzano . Peter . Neveau . James . How the Chicago mayoral election could impact Soldier Field . NBC Sports . 11 March 2023 . en . February 24, 2023.
  79. Web site: Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor's race. Axios. April 4, 2023.
  80. Web site: The big upset in the Chicago mayor's race, explained. Vox. April 5, 2023.
  81. Web site: 2023 Election Information Pamphlet & Calendar . 2022-08-09 . Chicago Board of Election Commissioners . 2023-04-06 . 19.
  82. Web site: Bosman . Julie . Smith . Mitch . How Brandon Johnson Made Up Ground and Won Chicago's Mayoral Race . The New York Times . 6 April 2023 . 5 April 2023.
  83. Web site: Hinz . Greg . Where Vallas and Johnson are collecting the big money . Crain's Chicago Business . 14 April 2023 . 30 March 2023.
  84. Web site: Quig . A.D. . Pratt . Gregory . Paul Vallas outspent Brandon Johnson nearly 2-to-1 in losing mayoral bid . Chicago Tribune . 20 April 2023 . April 19, 2023.
  85. Multiple sources:
  86. Web site: Pratt . Gregory . Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names union leader to head transition team . Chicago Tribune . 12 April 2023 . April 12, 2023.
  87. Web site: Myers . Quinn . Brandon Johnson, Lori Lightfoot Meet At City Hall As Mayoral Transition Kicks Off: 'We Are Going To Be United' . Block Club Chicago . 12 April 2023 . en . 6 April 2023.
  88. Web site: Armentrout . Mitchell . Meeting of the mayors: Johnson feels the historic moment while discussing his transition with Lightfoot . WBEZ Chicago . 12 April 2023 . en . 6 April 2023.
  89. Web site: Le Mignont . Suzanne . Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, Gov. JB Pritzker meet in Chicago . CBS News . 12 April 2023 . April 7, 2023.
  90. Web site: Illinois A.G. Kwame Raoul, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson meet to discuss city issues . CBS News . 14 April 2023 . April 14, 2023.
  91. Web site: Zeleny . Ethan Cohen,Jeff . Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention CNN Politics . CNN . 12 April 2023 . en . 11 April 2023.
  92. Web site: Sweet . Lynn . Chicago mayor rivals Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson pledge support for city's 2024 Democratic convention bid . Chicago Sun-Times . 11 April 2023 . en . 3 March 2023.
  93. Web site: Korecki . Natasha . Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson pitches Biden on 2024 Chicago convention . NBC News . 12 April 2023 . en . April 7, 2023.
  94. Web site: Laurence . Justin . Johnson, Pritzker working together to land DNC convention in Chicago . Crain's Chicago Business . 12 April 2023 . 7 April 2023.
  95. Web site: Upré . Brandon . Brandon Johnson joins picket line at Chicago State University . Crain's Chicago Business . 12 April 2023 . 10 April 2023.
  96. News: Chicago Police Report 15 Arrests Amid 'Reckless, Disruptive' Behavior in Large Downtown Gatherings . 9 October 2023 . NBC Chicago.
  97. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/following-weekend-of-reckless-and-disruptive-gatherings-downtown-some-call-for-teen-curfew-to-return/3120447/ Following Weekend of ‘Reckless, Disruptive' Gatherings Downtown, Some Call For Teen Curfew to Return
  98. Web site: Wall . Craig . Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson kicks off Springfield visit with private meetings abc7chicago.com . abc7chicago.com . WLS-TV . 20 April 2023 . April 18, 2023.
  99. Web site: Marshall . Glenn . Spinelli . Courtney . Brandon Johnson makes first trip to state Capitol as Chicago's mayor-elect . WGN-TV . 20 April 2023 . 19 April 2023.
  100. Web site: Hall . Gaynor . Curi . Peter . Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson hires Chief of Staff . WGN-TV . 22 April 2023 . 21 April 2023.
  101. Web site: Bauer . Kelly . Chicago's Interim Top Cop Will Retire Same Day Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson Takes Office . Block Club Chicago . en . 20 April 2023.
  102. Web site: Brandon Johnson sworn in as Chicago mayor at inauguration ceremony. ABC Chicago. May 30, 2023.
  103. Web site: Myers . Quinn . 2023-10-06 . Chicago Will End Subminimum Wage For Tipped Workers After Council Approves Plan . 2024-06-10 . Block Club Chicago . en-US.
  104. Web site: Staff • • . NBC Chicago . 2023-10-06 . Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers. Here's what that means . 2024-06-10 . NBC Chicago . en-US.
  105. Web site: Selvam . Ashok . 2023-10-11 . How Chicago Phased Out the Tipped Minimum Wage . 2024-06-10 . Eater Chicago . en.
  106. News: Mayor Brandon Johnson defends construction at Brighton Park migrant camp as more churches to house asylum-seekers . 30 November 2023 . Chicago Tribune.
  107. News: KAPOS . SHIA . Getting religion on the migrant crisis . 30 November 2023 . Politico.
  108. News: Chicago becomes latest US city to seek ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza . Al Jazeera . 1 February 2024.
  109. News: Jewish United Fund denounces Mayor Johnson's tiebreaking vote for council's cease-fire resolution . ABC Chicago . February 6, 2024.
  110. Web site: Cooper . Jason . 2024-02-20 . Chicago sues oil companies, accuses them of deception about climate dangers - CBS Chicago . 2024-02-21 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US.
  111. Web site: 2023-01-24 . Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson unveils tax-the-rich plan to bankroll social services . 2024-06-10 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  112. Web site: Hill . Tonia . 2023-01-22 . 2023 Before the Polls: Q&A with Brandon Johnson • The TRiiBE . 2024-06-10 . The TRiiBE . en-US.
  113. Web site: Feurer . Todd . 2023-11-07 . Chicago voters to decide plan to raise tax on high-end property to fight homelessness - CBS Chicago . 2024-06-10 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US.
  114. Web site: Staff . Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago . 2024-03-23 . Bring Chicago Home Referendum Fails, AP Says . 2024-06-10 . Block Club Chicago . en-US.
  115. Web site: Kapos . Shia . 2023-11-15 . Chicago budget realities . 2023-11-18 . POLITICO . en.
  116. Web site: 2023-11-15 . Only 28% of Chicago voters approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson . 2023-11-18 . Illinois Policy Institute.
  117. News: Brandon Johnson owes more than $3,000 in unpaid bills, report says . CBS Chicago . en-US . March 30, 2023 . March 31, 2023.
  118. News: Brandon Johnson reportedly owes city of Chicago thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, fines . . en-US . March 30, 2023 . March 31, 2023.
  119. Web site: Kozlov . Dana . March 31, 2023 . Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson has paid off all city debts, official confirms . CBS News . en-US . April 3, 2023.
  120. Web site: March 15, 2023 . Tabulated Statement of the Returns and Proclamation of the Results of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the February 28, 2023 Municipal General and Alderperson Elections Held in Each of the Precincts in all the Wards in the City of Chicago . April 13, 2023 . Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago . en-US . April 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413215037/https://chicagoelections.gov/dm/Proc-2023-02-28.pdf?v=1681422424750 . dead .
  121. Web site: March 15, 2023 . Tabulated Statement of the Returns and Proclamation of the Results of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the Municipal Runoff Election Held in Each of the Precincts in all the Wards in the City of Chicago and for the Supplementary Alderperson Elections Held in Each of the Precincts in Wards 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 21, 24, 29, 30, 36, 43, 45, 46, and 48 in the City of Chicago on April 4, 2023. . April 26, 2023 . Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago . en-US . April 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426062734/https://chicagoelections.gov/dm/Proc-2023-04-04.pdf . dead .