Brandon Johnson

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration, arguing that City Hall requires new leadership as the Chicago mayor's race intensifies. The remarks were made during Giannoulias's first one-on-one interview since announcing his 2027 mayoral bid.

Chicago Public Schools will open 15 more Sustainable Community Schools this year, expanding the program to 51 schools. The initiative, launched in 2018 with the Chicago Teachers Union, provides $500,000 annually to partner with nonprofits for student and family support. A Chalkbeat analysis highlights mixed outcomes, including higher graduation rates but also unspent funds and challenges in partnerships.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated that the city's budget director resigned to care for an aging parent. The resignation is part of recent departures from City Hall.

Annette Guzman, the budget director for Mayor Brandon Johnson, has stepped down from her role. She was appointed to the position in 2023 and had served on the mayor's team since he took office.

Chicago Public Schools will expand its Sustainable Community Schools program by adding 15 campuses, bringing the total to 51. These schools receive $500,000 annually to partner with nonprofits for student and family support, though prior analyses show mixed outcomes and unspent funds.

Chicago’s school board passed a $10 billion budget preserving jobs but relying on $150 million in uncertain state funding. The district may need a short-term loan to cover September payroll, which could be costly due to high interest. The budget decision is tied to political tensions over Illinois’ school funding formula and upcoming school board elections.

Chicago Public Schools will expand the Sustainable Community Schools program to 15 more schools, increasing the total to 51. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the expansion on Monday.

Chicago’s mayoral race is beginning to take shape, with attention focused on the incumbent, Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates pledged to collect petition signatures for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s re-election, citing his school funding efforts. The CTU and other teachers' unions contributed over $6 million to Johnson’s 2023 campaign. Critics highlight concerns over academic performance and the union’s $50 billion-plus demand list during 2024 negotiations.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has not announced whether he will run for a second term as the Chicago mayoral race takes shape, with the field of candidates growing and the race beginning to come into focus.

Social media influencers are helping boost Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's online presence. Some individuals are questioning the transparency of this effort.

Alderman Matt O’Shea criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for placing a sign promoting a Chicago sidewalk project in suburban Evergreen Park. The sign, part of Johnson’s 'Build Better Together' initiative, was erected on Western Avenue near the Beverly-Evergreen Park border. The project, funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act money, is being completed by the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Connie Anderson to the CPS school board, filling a vacancy left by Olga Bautista. Anderson, who filed candidacy paperwork for District 10b, faces challenges to her petition signatures. The appointment marks Johnson's last as mayoral control of the school board ends in 30 years.

Anthony Driver Jr., a CCPSA member, wrote a letter to Chicago City Council urging alders to delay the search for the city's next police superintendent until after the upcoming mayoral election. He argues that national candidates may hesitate to apply during political uncertainty and addresses Mayor Brandon Johnson's opposition to altering the timeline.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is advancing his agenda at City Hall despite opposition from a Council majority. The political conflict over the city's future is unfolding during the campaign season. Chicago Tribune reporter Alice Yin covers City Hall and the mayor's office.

Chicago Chief Financial Officer Steven Mahr's sudden departure is causing concerns in City Council as the city faces a difficult budget season. Mayor Brandon Johnson has responded to the situation.

An audit by Chicago's Office of Inspector General found the city's rodent abatement program prioritizes reactive poisoning of rats over proactive solutions like monitoring sanitation and addressing infestation root causes. The report criticized the Department of Streets and Sanitation's Bureau of Rodent Control for not implementing Integrated Pest Management standards, though the department claims recent improvements. Rat complaints have decreased since a pandemic-era spike but remain a persistent issue.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order to reduce gun violence by leveraging the city's purchasing power to vet firearm and ammunition vendors.

The Chicago mayoral race is becoming competitive as candidates collect signatures, with Mayor Brandon Johnson yet to officially announce his reelection bid. Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng analyzes the growing candidate field, petition process, and key issues for voters ahead of the 2027 election.

Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a partnership between Lyft and United Way of Metro Chicago to provide free roundtrip rides for older residents to grocery stores following the closure of seven Save A Lot stores on the South and West sides. The program, funded by a $25,000 contribution from Lyft, allows residents to access rides by calling United Way's 2-1-1 navigators without needing an app.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to implement an executive order requiring stricter standards for firearm vendors conducting business with the city. The new order aims to enforce higher regulations on gun sales through municipal partnerships.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to sign a new executive order strengthening Chicago's procurement standards for firearms.

Pro-immigration groups and legal aid providers in Chicago are urging Mayor Brandon Johnson to maintain city funding for the Legal Protection Fund, which provides free legal services to immigrants. The fund, which has spent $4.48 million of its $4.5 million allocation as of March 31, faces potential funding gaps after pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act funds expire in 2026. The mayor’s 2027 budget includes at least $3 million for the fund, according to a spokesperson.

A 10-15 km-wide asteroid struck the Gulf of Mexico 66 million years ago, causing a global firestorm that incinerated dinosaurs. The impact vaporized rock, released a heat pulse lethal to surface life, and generated dust and spherules that triggered prolonged fires and thermal radiation.

Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed crime, taxes, and the city's budget in a FOX Chicago interview and mentioned a decision on his political future is coming soon.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses crime, taxes, the city's budget, public safety leadership, and a potential reelection run in an interview with FOX Chicago.

A University of Chicago survey shows 54% of Chicagoans disapprove of Mayor Brandon Johnson's job performance, with only 14% supporting a potential re-election bid. The mayoral race is beginning to take shape, though Johnson has not yet committed to running.

Gianno Caldwell, whose brother Christian was murdered four years ago in Chicago, is marching for justice, blaming soft-on-crime policies for the city's rising violence. The article cites a 6% increase in Chicago homicides in 2026 compared to 2025 and criticizes the SAFE-T Act for eliminating cash bail, which it claims has worsened crime. President Donald Trump is highlighted for leading a federal crime surge operation that reduced violence in cities like D.C. and Memphis.

Chicago City Council is debating between Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) and the Fair Accountability in Rentals (FAIR) Ordinance proposed by the Budget Accountability Coalition. 36th Ward Alderman Gilbert Villegas discusses whether the two housing proposals can be merged into a unified policy.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson discussed the opening for the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department and addressed teen takeovers during an interview with ABC7.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and some Chicago aldermen have advanced competing proposals on renter protections and evictions.

A Chicago city council committee questioned police compliance with policies protecting immigrants from federal immigration arrests, citing delays in implementing a policy to investigate ICE agents and recent arrests of street vendors linked to deportations. Community members criticized police for not investigating alleged ICE misconduct, including a fatal shooting and a car crash.

Abraham Bolden Sr., the first Black Secret Service agent to guard a U.S. president, was honored with a plaque unveiling in his Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The event recognized his historic role and his 2022 pardon after a conviction he claimed was racially motivated. Bolden was invited by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to join the White House detail, making him the first Black agent on the presidential security team.

City Council members are advancing the Fair and Accountable Illinois Rental (FAIR) Ordinance to counter Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tenant protections, which include a Tenant Bill of Rights, 'just cause' eviction requirements, and relocation assistance. The FAIR Ordinance would eliminate 'just cause' requirements and reduce relocation fees, arguing these changes would prevent increased housing costs and preserve affordable housing for small landlords.

Chicago City Council approved $424 million in public financing for infrastructure around the new Fire Stadium at The 78 development. The funding includes $174 million for utilities and roadways and $250 million for a city-owned parking garage and plaza. Aldermen expressed divided opinions, with some opposing the use of tax increment financing for the parking facility.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is set to retire on July 15 after a tenure marked by falling violent crime rates and public disagreements with Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Chicago's City Council finance committee delayed a vote on transferring parking meter rights from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak Partners. Ald. Jason Ervin proposed creating a public infrastructure trust to reacquire control, while Mayor Brandon Johnson has remained silent on the sale. Discussions between the city and involved parties are ongoing.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) endorsed 15 candidates in the upcoming school board election, focusing on 10 incumbents and mayoral appointees. Notable exclusions include Yesenia Lopez, a prior CTU-endorsed candidate who voted independently. The CTU faces challenges in six districts due to lack of aligned candidates, and some races may be affected by petition challenges. The union's political action committees have limited funds but a large membership base for voter outreach.

Chicago City Council advanced seven advisory referendum questions for upcoming elections, including compensation for federal immigration enforcement costs and reinstating gunshot detection technology. Two of Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposals were blocked by the council's rules committee, which approved four questions for the November election and three for the February 2024 municipal election.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has selected Dr. Garth Walker to lead the Chicago Department of Public Health. Dr. Walker currently serves as chief medical officer of Rush Health and is set to become the city's next public health commissioner.