The results of the 2023 mayoral elections in Chicago have been announced. The new mayor of Chicago is Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. The chief executive of Chicago Public Schools, Paul Vallas, lost to Brandon Johnson in the race for mayor of what is sometimes portrayed as a US city with excellent architecture in the state of Illinois.
Johnson holds a master’s degree in education from Aurora University in addition to a bachelor’s degree in human services, management, and youth development programming.
New Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: How have the roles reversed?
Johnson’s confirmation as Mayor of Chicago comes just over a month after he finished second in the first round of mayoral elections. Johnson declared his campaign in late October with the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union, and he continued to gain support in the following weeks.
He garnered slightly more than 20% of the vote in the first round of the mayoral race, but backing from city progressives propelled him to victory in the runoff. He also received assistance from the city’s labor union.
In the first round of the mayoral race, Johnson finished ahead of incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Congressman Jess “Chuy” Garca. Congressman Jess backed him in the runoff election.
Brandon Johnson says union support was critical
Johnson became an elected official in 2018 after defeating former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary. He was sworn in as Cook County Commissioner in December 2018 after running unopposed in the general election that year.
In pitting himself against then-Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, Johnson regularly emphasized his own credentials as a public school teacher.
He was the primary sponsor of the Fair Housing Law, which changed the county’s housing ordinance to ban prospective landlords or property owners from inquiring about or taking into account prospective tenants’ or homebuyers’ criminal backgrounds. During a 2019 strike, Johnson’s name was circulated as a possible mayoral contender. He, on the other hand, rejected it as just rumors.
Brandon Johnson discusses his career and family as the incoming Mayor of Chicago
Johnson was raised as a foster child by preacher parents and grew up with nine siblings. He helped out at his father’s church by leading the youth group and driving the church van. At the age of 22, he married Stacie, whom he met at a religious gathering.
Johnson began his career as a public school teacher at Jenner Academy in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green area, according to his website. He then taught at Westinghouse College Prep on the city’s West Side. The United Working Families and Service Employees International Union Local 73 both endorsed Johnson. Johnson resides in Austin with his wife and three children.
Brandon Johnson, the next mayor of Chicago, outlines his policies and goals
Johnson has taken a position on the political left. He advocates for lower public transportation fares. He has also advocated for a real estate transfer tax on multi-million dollar property sales.
Johnson hopes to reopen the city’s mental health clinics, according to his website. He has advocated for greater investment in year-round youth employment.
On his campaign website, Johnson states his opposition to raising property taxes while supporting a municipal government efficiency assessment to identify areas where expenditure is higher than necessary.
In the name of “tax equity,” Johnson proposes a “Large Company Head Tax” on large corporations that do 50% or more of their business in Chicago. He has also proposed a $98 million jet fuel levy on airlines.
Another important legislative goal proposed by Johnson is a rideshare living wage regulation. It is intended to protect gig workers such as ridesharing and delivery app drivers.
Regarding transportation, Johnson recommends lowering or eliminating fares for some CTA riders while increasing access and dependability to the system. To address safety concerns, Johnson proposes having mental health specialists and housing advocates on hand to provide resources to anyone experiencing a crisis while using public transportation.
He has also lobbied for the city’s bicycle lane and pedestrian walkway system to be further expanded.
Johnson’s campaign argues for more evening service and more assistance from mental health specialists and housing activists.
Johnson has previously been chastised for expressing support for “police defunding.”
Brandon Johnson: Who has endorsed Chicago’s new mayor?
Johnson received endorsements from two other first-round candidates in Chicago, State Rep. Kam Buckner, and Congressman Chuy Garcia. He also received support from City Council members Andre Vasquez, Michael Rodriguez, and Jason Ervin.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both endorsed Johnson’s plan on a national level. He was also backed by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Jim Clyburn, and Martin Luther King III.