All articles tagged with #mayor brandon johnson
With the Illinois legislature ending its spring session without passing a bill to lay the groundwork for the Bears’ stadium at Arlington Heights, Chicago argues it offers the strongest path to keeping the team, citing a publicly owned site, an existing sports authority with a dedicated revenue stream, and a framework for moving a deal forward, while Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana remain as alternatives.
Chicago’s Editorial Board urges Aldermen to force a floor vote on the tipped-minimum-wage policy, arguing that raising servers’ pay to 84% of the city minimum threatens independent restaurants and jobs; restaurateurs seek a compromise that keeps tipping in line with overall wages, while Mayor Johnson has shown little willingness to revisit the issue. The piece suggests the Council act to restore business confidence and cites Washington, D.C., as a reference point.
Chicago's $16.6 billion 2026 budget was approved after Mayor Brandon Johnson chose not to veto it, despite disagreements over tax proposals and budget priorities. The budget relies on tax hikes, borrowing, and revenue from debt collection, while sidestepping some of the mayor's initiatives like the head tax. It includes full pension payments and aims for cost savings, but remains heavily dependent on short-term fixes and increased taxes that could hinder economic growth. Future reforms are needed to ensure fiscal stability.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker opposes Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to reintroduce a tax on large corporate payrolls, arguing it would deter major employers and harm the city's economic recovery efforts. Pritzker advocates for cost-cutting measures instead to address the city's budget deficit and improve Chicago's business environment.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing ICE-free zones on city property and private businesses, aiming to prevent federal immigration raids and asserting legal action against violations, amid ongoing tensions and incidents involving federal agents in the city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly opposes President Trump's threats to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, emphasizing that such actions are uncoordinated, could harm community trust, and are unnecessary as the city has made significant progress in reducing crime through local efforts. He highlights that the National Guard cannot address issues like housing, hunger, or mental health, and advocates for continued investment in community-based solutions instead.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson avoided committing to a future NASCAR Chicago Street Race, citing weather concerns, while Ald. Brendan Reilly indicated discussions for a potential two-year extension are upcoming, emphasizing the need for a deal beneficial to both the city and NASCAR.
Chicago is preparing for increased immigration raids by federal agents, prompting Mayor Brandon Johnson to urge residents to resist and protect democratic rights amid protests and clashes over enforcement tactics.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed budget allocates funds for over a thousand police officer positions that are unlikely to be filled, continuing a trend of budgeting for "ghost cops" seen in previous administrations. This practice has drawn criticism for lacking transparency and has prompted calls to redirect these funds to public health and safety programs. Despite the city's budget gap and declining crime rates, Johnson, like his predecessors, is hesitant to cut these vacancies, fearing future difficulties in restoring them.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is negotiating a budget deal to reduce a proposed property tax increase to $68.1 million, down from an initially proposed $300 million. The compromise involves eliminating certain programs funded by federal pandemic relief, such as guaranteed basic income and small business assistance, and restoring police vacancies to comply with a federal consent decree. The plan also includes maintaining a garbage collection fee freeze and scrapping a proposed liquor tax increase. The budget aims to secure 26 City Council votes for passage, with discussions ongoing about alternative revenue sources and budget reforms.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed 2025 budget, which included a $300 million property tax hike, faced immediate backlash from the City Council, including from his allies, leading to its rejection. The proposal's failure has raised questions about the ability of progressives to govern effectively and has left the city scrambling to find a budget solution before the year's end. The situation is further complicated by internal city government issues and the need to address a significant budget gap without resorting to layoffs or service cuts.
A Chicago resident confronted Mayor Brandon Johnson for reallocating taxpayer funds for illegal immigrants, calling it disrespectful and uniting the city against him. The mayor is seeking an additional $70 million for sanctuary city resources despite previous spending of $300 million on migrant support. Residents protested at a City Council meeting and a petition to recall the mayor is gaining traction. The resident criticized the allocation, citing the city's struggles to fund basic resources like education, and expressed a desire for change at the national level, including support for former President Trump.
Black Chicago residents expressed outrage at Mayor Brandon Johnson's request for an additional $70 million in taxpayer funds to address the city's migrant crisis, while a recall petition gains momentum. Critics argue that the money should be used to address local needs instead. The progressive mayor's handling of the migrant crisis and crime has led to frustration among residents, prompting a recall effort. The petition drive needs to collect 56,464 valid signatures by August 5 for the question to go on the ballot in November.
Chicago police are investigating three armed robberies that occurred within 15 minutes on the North Side, with victims being robbed at gunpoint by multiple male suspects in black sedans. No injuries were reported, and the suspects remain at large. In addition, a nearby Lululemon store was also targeted by burglars around the same time. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling are set to announce a robbery prevention strategy in response to the incidents.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released a harrowing video showing Chicago police officers firing dozens of bullets at 26-year-old Dexter Reed during a traffic stop in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, resulting in his death. Mayor Brandon Johnson called the footage "deeply disturbing" and emphasized the need for accountability and building trust between communities and the police. The shooting remains under investigation, with the mayor and other officials expressing commitment to finding justice for all parties involved. Reed's family and their attorneys called for accountability and questioned the officers' response to a simple traffic violation.