Justice Department investigates Chicago's hiring practices after mayor
touts Black hires
[May 21, 2025]
By CLAUDIA LAUER
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation
into hiring practices at the city of Chicago, according to a letter
shared on social media and sent to the Chicago mayor's office.
The probes announcement Monday came a day after Mayor Brandon Johnson
spoke at a Chicago church to outline his vision for the remainder of his
term. During the speech, Johnson praised the number of Black people in
top positions in his administration. The speech garnered immediate
attention on social media, including calls from conservatives and others
to investigate.
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division shared its investigation notice on
Monday, citing Johnson's comments to the congregation Sunday as the
trigger for a pattern or practice investigation into whether the city
has habitually violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race.
“Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to
determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern or
practice of discrimination as set forth above," the letter signed by
Assistant Attorney General for Harmeet K. Dhillon said. "If these kind
of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your
administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are
also being made for lower-level positions.”
The investigation fits with the Trump administration’s larger
realignment of how federal agencies view and fight discrimination. It's
also part of a larger remaking of the department's civil rights
division, which saw a wave of departures as the administration outlined
its priorities.
Historically, the civil rights division has investigated claims of
discrimination against minorities, monitoring police departments,
housing providers and voting rights. These probes are not criminal
investigations. They look for a pattern of discrimination and are often
settled through court-approved agreements. These consent decrees create
a set of required changes that must be met for oversight and monitoring
to end.
Dhillon told The Associated Press Tuesday that she does not see the
administration's priorities as a shift.
“I would say that it’s our view that all racial discrimination is
illegal in the United States. And I think it’s fair to say the prior
administration only looked at that from a particular angle,” she said.
“I think that we are taking a step back and taking a broader view, which
is what is required under these statutes.”
Dhillon said the investigation is in its very early stages and that she
could not say what the exact parameters of the investigation would be.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson takes his seat at the witness table
during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing
with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5,
2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.,File)
“Statutes of limitations apply, but we are going to be looking where
the facts lead us,” she said, adding that Johnson's predecessor,
Lori Lightfoot, had also made “concerning” statements about race in
regards to hiring.
The Chicago mayor's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Johnson, who took office in 2023, has gained a reputation for being
blunt and even combative at times, getting into public spats with
reporters when asked questions about policy or administrative
decisions.
With Chicago a routine target of criticism from President Donald
Trump and members of his administration, Johnson has occasionally
taken a more cautious approach, as when he joined other mayors from
so-called sanctuary cities at a congressional hearing earlier this
year. But speaking to reporters Tuesday, Johnson doubled down on his
commitment to ensure a diverse city workforce and called the
investigation a “divisive tactic.”
“We don't have to apologize for being concerned about the residents
of this city who have borne the brunt of school closures. Think
about unemployment in this city, where it is mostly concentrated.
Think about violence where it is mostly concentrated,” he said. “It
would be shameful if I were to repeat the sins of those who have
been in this position before because they did not speak enough to
Black Chicagoans.”
Johnson said his administration is full of highly qualified
individuals with educational, law and other specialized backgrounds,
before throwing a punch at the Trump administration.
His administration is full of, “individuals that I would question
their qualifications. You're running a major department and your
qualification is wrestling,” he said. “As his administration moves
away from diversity, you're seeing more chaos. As my administration
embraces diversity, you are seeing us build the safest, most
affordable city in America.”
Dhillon said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was also
opening an investigation into Johnson's statements. A spokesman for
the EEOC confirmed that the commission had received a letter from
DOJ, but said he could not confirm whether the agency is
investigating a specific complaint.
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