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Migrant spending and gunshot-detection technology are among the
issues that have led the city council to push back against the
mayor. Aldermen voted 34 to 14 in favor of a measure aimed at
keeping ShotSpotter, after Johnson announced that the city would
stop using the technology in September. Johnson said he has
demonstrated his willingness to collaborate.
“Where I compromised was actually offering the extension. This
was at the request of the superintendent, so that data could be
collected. That is actually what is already in the order,”
Johnson said, referencing Chicago Police Superintendent Larry
Snelling.
The mayor disagreed with the idea that he makes unilateral
decisions without broad community discussion.
“It’s not like Meigs Field. It’s not like raiding pensions. It’s
not like closing public housing, closing schools, selling off
the Skyway, selling off the parking meters,” Johnson said.
Johnson and the city council have allotted more than $350
million to migrant care, but the mayor says he has saved
taxpayers more than $200 million.
Johnson insisted that the migrant situation is an international
crisis that requires a federal response, but he chose not to
call out President Joe Biden.
“Trump Republicans have to stop using this as a political moment
and actually dig a little bit deeper and perhaps actually
exercise the faith that they ostensibly subscribe to by speaking
to the least of these while also investing, particularly in
Black Chicago and brown Chicago and places around the globe,”
Johnson said.
The mayor said Chicago’s migrant operation, centered around
people’s humanity, is working.
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