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Brandon Johnson won the election earlier this month. He’s set to
replace Mayor Lori Lightfoot next month. Ahead of taking office,
Johnson will address lawmakers at the Illinois Capitol
Wednesday.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Johnson has a tall order ahead.
“I think the mayor’s biggest focus is making sure that we
balance the budget of the city while at the same time focus on
the communities that have been left out of Chicago and left
behind,” Pritzker said during a visit with bond investors in New
York Monday.
Illinois Chamber of Commerce Vice President Clark Kaericher said
he’s looking forward to Johnson’s address, but the incoming
mayor “has to address crime.”
“Chicago and this crime has become a national issue, one that
impacts retail and tourism, particularly. Those two are
backbones of Chicago’s economy,” Kaericher told The Center
Square.
Chicago came into national focus after a weekend of crimes
committed by dozens of youth taking to major tourist areas
downtown. The crimes included shootings and vandalism.
Johnson said in a statement he doesn’t condone destructive
activity.
“It is unacceptable and has no place in our city,” Johnson said
on Twitter. “However, it is not constructive to demonize youth
who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own
communities.”
State Rep. John Cabello, R-Rockford, said he’s glad Johnson
didn’t condone this past weekend’s activity.
“But you can’t make excuses for criminal activity, I mean you
just can’t,” Cabello told The Center Square. “If it was his
property that was damaged, his car that was set on fire, would
he have the same reaction? If so, then let’s start parking his
vehicles out there and making sure his property is out there and
see how he deals with it.”
Johnson said the city must create spaces for youth “to gather
safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to
ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both
residents and visitors.”
“This is one aspect of my comprehensive approach to improve
public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone,” he said.
Johnson will present to a joint session of the House and Senate
at noon Wednesday.
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield.
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